GOLDS IN DANCESPORT PUSH RP AHEAD: CEBUANOS WIN GOLD, SILVER

As glitzy and glamorous as the sport itself was the kind of performance by the Filipino dance athletes as they swept the two gold medals at stake in the dancesport event to help propel the Philippines to the top of the overall standings after the first day of action in the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The graceful Pinoy dancers also collected a pair of silvers, in the event, which was contested for the first time in SEAG history, as the Philippines set a bright tone for its bid to win its first overall championship in the biennial sports conclave with four gold, four silver, and five bronze medals, so far.

Malaysia is at second overall as of early last night with four golds, two silvers, and one broze, while Indonesia and Singapore is at third and fourth with two and one golds, respectively.

Thailand is at temporary fifth with two silvers, and three bronzes, while defending champion Vietnam is surprisingly at sixth with two silvers and bronze apiece.

Long jump artist Maristella Torres produced RP's first gold in the competition (see separate story), while Sydney Olympics veteran Shiela Mae Perez teamed up with Ceseil Domenios in topping bets from Thailand and Malaysia in the women's 3-meter synchronized springboard event to give the host country its second gold medal.

Over at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino grand ballroom, RP's dance athletes shut the lights out of the foreign visitors with authority to come up with a historic feat as the SEAG's first dancesport champions.

Leading RP's charge on the dance floor were Cebuano Michael Mendoza and his partner Belinda Adora, who bested countrymen John Erolle Melencio and Cebuana Dearlie Gerodias to seize the gold in Latin category, which features chachacha, samba, jive, rhumba, and paso doble. Thailand's Watchahakorn Suasueepun and Warapa Jumbala got the bronze.

"It was really overwhelming. Honestly, I did not expect that we will win. We're so happy to make history as the first gold medallist in SEA Games dancesport," said Mendoza.

The tandem of Rico Rosima and Filomena Salvador also waltzed their way to a golden finish in the Standard category, which consisted of waltz, tango, Vienese waltz, slow foxtrot, and quickstep.

"Well done. It feels good to win," said Rosima, who considers his SEAG triumph as the biggest achievement in his career, so far.

Rosima and Salvador defeated teammates Emmanuel Reyes and Maira Rosete for another 1-2 finish for RP bets. The bronze went to Thailand's Pawatpong Racha-apai, and Chanawan Potimu.

After the dancers' landmark feat, a teary-eyed Team Cebu City-Dancesport director Edward Hayco felt like he was floating on cloud nine.

"I'm almost speechless. It was the power that our dance athletes projected in the eyes of the audience that captivated the eyes of the adjudicators. Their victory was just like an answered prayer for us," said Hayco.



"I'm very happy we fulfilled our goal of sweeping the two gold medals at stake in dancesport. I can't explain my feeling right now. Its worth all the hardships and sacrifices we've made," said the equally ecstatic Team Cebu City-Dancesport head coach Loloi Rendon.

Aside from the golds, the organizers also scored a resounding triumph of sorts as some of the foreign delegates have nothing but words of praise and adulation for the impressive manner the hosts ran the competition.

"They (organizers) were so professional. But what really struck me when I arrived at the airport was the hearty attitude and warm welcome of the people. It's so amazing. The crowd is so very appreciative and they cheer for other countries too. They made us feel at home," said Vietnamese athlete Vu Hoai Phuong.

At the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex, the Filipino karatekas failed in their gold medal quest, but did not go home empty-handed as they contributed three bronze medals coming from the men's team kumite, and the men and women's individual kata competitions. (See separate story)