In a battle of intricate choreography, sheer musicality, and effective portrayal, Accountancy Griffins soared the highest, winning this year’s Palarong Atenista-Pair Dance Showdown.
Jappy Ferrer and Paula Serrano danced to the love story of Pocahontas and John Smith, a classical love story inspired by Disney’s animation of Virginian folklore.
The Martin Hall was filled last night with incessant cheers from spectators when the Griffins were hailed as champions.
The Accountancy dance team, also known as Jaguars, was headed by Krystel Faith Calumba who shared how winning the PDS was an honor.
“We are proud to say that this award is the product of hard work, determination amidst challenges, and team effort. The Jaguars are ultimately happy and grateful, and we bring back all the honor and glory to God,” she said.
On the other hand, the School of Engineering and Architecture Tigers, represented by Rhu Montañez and Krisha Dondoyano, bagged first runner up after a routine depicting the love of Pygmalion and Galatea from Greek mythology.
The infused cluster of Natural Science, and Mathematics, School of Education, and School of Nursing Stags also secured the second runner up, as Johnnel Ople and Ivy Galdo showcased their own dance interpretation of Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Clara’s ill-fated love based on Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere.
“I feel very happy because of the Stags’ support and very privileged to represent our cluster. I did not expect to win any award because I know it’s a battle of the best. The experience was so nerve-racking because it was my first college competition,” Galdo said.
Go Figure, a renowned local dance group, also grazed the event through intermission numbers with the representatives of the seven clusters.
As each cluster was only given three to four minutes to perform their prepared routine, all of the representatives were challenged to do their best depiction of this year’s theme event, “a classical love story,” within the limited time.
“Last night’s pair dance showdown was a great showcase, not just of talent, but of timeless love stories we both reminisced and discovered,” SAMAHAN Sec. Gen. Mina Limbaga said.
The Pair Dance Showdown served as the opening activity of this year’s 70th Palarong Atenista.