High-caliber ballroom dancing
In February of this year, Manila dance aficionados had the pleasure of watching Philippine Star Ball, an event that featured some of the world’s best ballroom dancers. Organized by chairperson Michaela “Pinky” Puno, also known as the better half of DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno, it was the first of its kind ever produced in the Philippines. Jojo Carino and the Council of United Professional Dance Teachers of the Philippines (CUPDTP) assisted her in organizing the event.
It was a glittering affair, not only because the costumes of the female competitors were fabulous and sparkly but also because the audience came dressed to the nines. It was my first time to watch a world-class international competition and it was truly impressive. I thought that Dancing with the Stars (the TV extravaganza that combines the talents of celebrities who are amateur dancers with professional dancers) was the best ballroom dancing competition I had ever seen but frankly, it pales in comparison to this one. These are professional dancers who compete all over the world all year round in different categories of dance. They treated us to their versions of the waltz, tango, foxtrot, Viennese waltz, and the five categories of Latin dance: chacha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive.
The event had top names in their field who came from all over the world — the USA, Italy, England, Slovenia, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Russia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Hong Kong and Thailand. There were three ranks: Professional, Amateur and Pro-Am (amateurs with professional partners). The dancers had numbers on them and the fun part was when the audience would shout the numbers of their favorites. In the Professional Latin division, we were all cheering for Yulia Zagoruychengko and Riccardo Cocchi (USA) and sure enough, they won in this category. They will be back to defend their title this year.
Pinky Puno explained to us that the top dance competition in the world is held in Blackpool, England, where all the best dancers compete. But there is also what is known as the internationals — competitions held all around Europe, the USA and Asia.
“I was so elated to hear when I went to Blackpool a few months back that the Philippine StarBall was one of the best dance competitions they ever attended and that they are all coming back to compete next year!”
On Feb. 15, 2009, Philippine Star Ball chairperson Michaela “Pinky” Puno will once again show the world that the Philippines is capable of hosting another world-class, high-caliber ballroom competition. About 30 international ballroom couples have already confirmed their participation in the competition. One of the male dancers, Jonathan Roberts, was seen in the past five seasons of Dancing with the Stars, partnering with Marie Osmond, Monica Seles, Heather Mills ex-McCartney, Gizelle Fernandes and Rachel Hunter. He and his partner, Valentina, are current American Smooth champions in the USA, in the category of waltz, tango, foxtrot and Viennese waltz. Another couple gracing the event are dance legends in the Latin category, Beata Onefatur and Maxim Kozevnikov. I am truly looking forward to next year’s Star Ball, which will be bigger than ever. It will be held at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel.
