Photo by Benjo T. Beringuela
WITH A score of 93.16, the Association for Communications Technology Management’s Acteam reigned supreme in this year’s Rhythm in Blue (RIB) dance competition. The event was held on September 22 at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater.
Captain of Acteam Angeli Villaraza said, “The Acteam’s X factor would definitely be defying the norm. We took a chance this year with our routine, deciding to just put faith in both it and most especially each other.”
Acommpany of the Ateneo Association of Communication Majors (Acomm) and Amaneuvers of the Ateneo Management Association (AMA) snagged first and second runner-up with scores of 93.1 and 92.8, respectively.
“This year’s RIB was very competitive and strong. Last year we were champions in RIB. This year we are third. I won’t say that was a step back but instead it’s a consistency,” head of Amanuevers Kim Alcantara said. “I’m very happy that at least we got second runner-up despite the other nine strong contenders.”
The second runner-up, first runner-up and overall champion correspondingly walked away with P10,000, P15,000 and P20,000, all with a trophy.
The seven other competing dance troupes were Bestest Dancers of Blue Repertory, Ateneo CODE Dancers of Ateneo’s Consultants for Organization Development and Empowerment, Meamove of the Management Engineering Association, Lexmen of the Ateneo Lex, T Crew of Tugon, ARSA Dance Troupe of Ateneo Resident Students Association and Mecocrew of the Management Economics Organization.
Four special awards were also given out during the event.
Acteam received the Crowd Favorite Award which was based on the loudest and most enduring cheer for an organization throughout the competition while Acommpany was conferred the Best Musical Mix Award.
Lexmen was awarded the Best in Costume Award, while the People’s Choice Award was given to ARSA Dance Troupe for having 2,054 likes in their CADS Facebook page as of that night.
RIB is an inter-organization dance competition hosted by the Company of Ateneo Dancers (CADS). Now on its tenth year, the competition was entitled, “Looking for One’s X.”
The X factor
“We couldn’t have found our X factor without each other; we inspired and lifted one another, especially during the harder times and late nights of training,” said Villaraza.
Acommpany head Jem Vergara believed that “the X factor of [their] team was each and every one of [them] that makes it.”
“The whole piece could not have been that awesome if one of us is absent. The dedication and growth can be seen in each member. Each team member is a character and personality of one is accepted in our team. That’s why we treat each other like a family,” she said.
“And of course, our most X factor is Jesse, our coach, since if not for his vision and trust, we wouldn’t have gone this far.”
Amaneuver Samantha Sy said, “RIB is one of the most awaited events of the year. I felt the intensity of the event and its importance, especially being part of the Amanuevers because we’re defending our title. I felt the sweat and tears of competing and practicing everyday plus the joys of winning and being part of something, of meeting new friends who would stay with you for a lifetime.”
“I felt that through this experience, I didn’t just grow as a dancer but as a person as well,” she added.
Vice President of the Sanggunian Ian Agatep commented, “I can say that…everyone found their spot on that X because it was a truly incredible performance for everyone and a night worth remembering that captivated the whole theater.”
He added, “This year really showed CADS’ dedication to dance and most of all for His greater glory. Groove. Glory. God.”
AMA officer Miel Cinco believed that “the X factor was seeing everyone really step up their game.” Another AMA officer, Bettina Reyes, added, “The X factor is the presence and the power that emanates from that presence; you just feel it.”
On triumph
“The timing of our win was very exact since we placed in the 10th year of RIB for Acomm’s 10th year, too. Those before us said that ‘this year should be big for Acomm’, and I guess we didn’t fail them,” Vergara said.
“We didn’t expect that we’d get first runner-up. Of course, some of us were hoping that we win as champions but, nevertheless, the goal was to enjoy and have our best run on stage for people to see and give everything back to Him.”
Villaraza said, “Winning the championship actually feels so unbelievable. The team worked so hard for so many months and weeks that to be told that night that we made it feels ten times more amazing and fulfilling.”
“We feel very blessed and happy, not just for winning, but for the entire experience itself as well. We all learned so much and grew to become a family in our own right. This definitely is going to be something all 16 of us will never be able to forget and will carry with us for the rest of our lives,” she added.
Updated September 26, 2012, 7:05 AM.
