The one battle that counts

MANILA, Philippines - The exciting streetdance season officially began when the Skechers Streetdance Battle 9 recently kicked off with the first elimination rounds at the SM Mall of Asia’s Music Hall in Pasay City. Spectators at the mall were treated to a surprise when hundreds of dancers emerged from the crowd to participate in a flash mob as the show’s opening salvo. People were fired up as the first batch of dance crews from the college level showed their fiercest moves onstage to gain a spot in the Final Battle.

A total of 39 college dance crews participated in the three tough elimination rounds held during the two-day event. The top 12 college dance crews that made it past the eliminations will be competing in the Final Battle on Nov. 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena. These groups are: Lyceum of the Philippines University-Laguna’s  Lyceum Spartans Dance Troupe, Olivarez College’s OC Performing Arts, De La Salle University-Manila’s La Salle Dance Company-Street, Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila’s TIP Aeon Crew, Far Eastern University-Diliman’s FEU Diliman Crew, Univeristy of the East-Manila’s UE Extreme Squad, University of the Philippines-Los Baños’ Wyre Underground, EARIST’s RedFox Dance Company, Philippine School of Business Administration’s Groove One, Asia Pacific College’s APC Dance Company, Colegio San Juan de Letran- Calamba’s Letran Street Dance Crew and University of the Philippines’ Diliman UP Streetdance Club.

Those who will participate in the Final Battle in the high school category are: Xavier School’s Dance X, Miriam College High School’s Sayawatha Dance Troupe, Ateneo High School’s Indayog ng Atenistang Kabataan (IndAK), St. Paul College Pasig’s Terpischore and La Salle-Greenhills’ Airforce Dance Crew.

Skechers Streetdance Battle will once again prove that it’s the one battle that counts when it draws a full house of streetdance fans rooting for their favorite dance crews.  Since its inception, Skechers has become the biggest and hottest streetdance showdown in the country.

Event highlights for the kick-off and elimination series included the Skechers Streetstyle Fashion Show featuring the most stylish dancers from various schools and the highly-anticipated Skechers Freestyle School Battle where duos from each dance crew were pitted against each other in an exhilarating dance exhibition of swag, confidence and epic dance skills.

The event also has a limited edition of Skechers Streetdance Battle 9 shirt. Those who want to have this shirt have until Nov. 23 to participate by simply purchasing a Skechers Streetdance Battle 9 Final Battle ticket at any SM Ticket outlets and regular-priced Skechers footwear from any of the participating Skechers stores or SM Department Store.  Present your shoe receipt together with your Final Battle ticket at the store to avail yourself of free Skechers Streetdance Battle 9 shirt. You may also register to get a chance to win a pair of ultra-comfy Skechers GO Walk shoes and a cool Nokia Asha 501.

The Skechers Streetdance Battle Year 9 is presented by Skechers GOrun2 and Skechers Time and co-presented by ETC and Nokia Asha. Other event sponsors are Greenwich with media partners Monster Radio RX 93.1, Chalk and CLAVEL Sneaker Magazine. The event is conceptualized and organized by Brainbox.

(For more information, visit www.skechersstreetdancebattle.com.ph or www.facebook.com/skechersstreetdancebattle.)