LEAPING AHEAD from last year’s performance, the Company of Ateneo Dancers (CADs) secured fourth place in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Streetdance Competition. The event was held on Wednesday, May 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena in the City of Pasay.
Out of seven teams, the CADs bagged an overall score of 86.17 points, just a 0.16 difference from the second runners-up University of the Philippines Street Dance Club. This finish marks an improvement from last year’s fifth-place standing, reflecting the team’s continuous tenancy and growth.
Inspired by the British band “Jungle” known for their disco and funk music, the Blue Eagles donned neutral-colored attires and vintage neck scarves to complement their routine’s feel-good retro theme. Maintaining vivacity throughout, their performance was marked by animated movements, bold choreography, and polished lifts.
Head Coach Jesse “Reflex” Gotangco emphasized that the primary aim of their routine was to encourage team members to break free from the confines of traditional collegiate dance and explore new creative horizons.
“[The goal was] to try and strive towards a more mature and professional approach. In terms of choreography, maturity of movement, feel, and all that,” Gotangco said.
Furthermore, despite just falling short of a spot at the podium, Team Captain and Street Dance coordinator Xicu Garcia found the fourth-place finish motivating for future competitions.
“Last year, we placed fifth and now we placed fourth. If we do the math, hopefully by next year, angat lang nang angat. (If we do the math, hopefully by next year, CADs just keeps on improving.) Not hopefully, but for sure,” Garcia optimistically said.
Additionally, both Garcia and Gotangco attributed the dance troupe’s immediate success to their unwavering determination to master their craft and attitude amid coupling academic responsibilities.“They were really trying their best to get the performance down, get the feel down more than the technicality of it. Because at the end of the day, it’s a feeling,” acclaimed Garcia.
Following the conclusion of their Season 86 campaign, CADs will dedicate themselves to refining their artistry, performance, and fundamentals, preparing for an even stronger return next season.
The lineup of the UAAP Street Dance Competition competing team:
Jodee Quintos, Matthew Lee, Denise Atanque, Syou Katsumi, Ash Sanchez, Darence Gonzales, Ivy Santilices, Celina Baltazar, Juancho Garcia, Feli Maneclang, Didi de Vera, Julia Villa, Keiser Sabio, Kyrene Espedido, Matt Melgar, Niel Getigan, Renee Perez, Sabine Divino, Xicu Garcia, Marco Austriaco, Kurt Garbo, and Enzo Jover.
Final Rankings of the UAAP Season 86 Street Dance Competition:
1st – University of Santo Tomas (UST) Prime
2nd – Far Eastern University (FEU) Street Alliance
3rd – University of the Philippines (UP) Street Dance Club
4th – Company of Ateneo Dancers (CADs)
5th – National University (NU) Dance Company
6th – Adamson University Dance Company – Street (AUDC)
7th – La Salle Dance Company – Street (LSDC)
The University of the East Dance Crew instead performed for an intermission number in the event.
