TO SHARE dance to the Ateneo community—this is why 10 dance groups from different orgs in the University joined “Rhythm in Blue: Diwang Pinoy” on September 17.
Organized by the Company of Ateneo Dancers (CADs), Rhythm in Blue (RIB) is an inter-org street dance competition held at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater.
For the third year in a row, Blue Repertory (Blue Rep) came out on top in the competition and also received the Best in Costume award in this year’s dance competition. The Management Information Systems Association (MISA) emerged as the first runner-up.
Ateneo Resident Students’ Association won second runner-up and Most Number of Supporters award. The Ateneo Management Assocation won the Best Mix award.
Other participating orgs in RIB included the Ateneo Junior Marketing Association (AJMA), Ateneo Biological Organization, Youth for Christ, Gabay, Entablado, and the Ateneo Association of Communication Majors.
Pinoy essence
Unlike last year, this year’s RIB carried a theme (Diwang Pinoy) to make the dance competition more challenging. “We wanted to build culture through dance,” said Shella Joyce Villanueva (V BS ECE), CADs president.
The theme Diwang Pinoy also aimed to redefine misconceptions about the arts, said Villanueva. “When you say dance, we often think of variety shows…we think of entertainment, not the art itself.”
Villanueva said she believes the entertainment value of dance will never disappear, but students should never be satisfied with only entertainment.
Through RIB, CADs also encourages the orgs that joined to reflect on dance, said Villanueva. “How can [the dance] express the essence of being Filipino?”
Passion for God, for dancing
“We all dance for the greater glory of God…whether or not we win, we did our best,” said AJMA dancer Karen Anne Bernardo (I BS CTM). Bernando joined RIB to express her talents and learn the importance of discipline and teamwork.
Kristine Rae Olanday (II AB Eu) found new friends in her dance group members from Gabay. She added that she joined RIB not to win the competition, but because of her passion for dancing.
Audience members were not disappointed with the performances of the orgs that joined RIB.
Jacqueline Anne Candelaria (IV BS MIS) commented on Blue Rep’s win and said, “Their performance was different. It had a story and symbolisms.”
Van Jasper Tan (IV BS MIS), who is part of MISA’s dance group, said the event was successful in redefining what dance is in the Philippines.
Like Olanday, he gained friendship through joining RIB. “Sa bawat (In every) dance practice, there was the spirit of camaraderie.”
