Among nine clusters, the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) Tigers successfully defended their title, celebrating their back-to-back championship in this year’s Group Dance Showdown (GDS).
Dancing to the medley hits of Frank Sinatra, SEA representatives Stephen Villa Abrille, Ferdinand Luther, Cire John Yazzer Sarcon, and Ibrahim Parcasio performed a “witty” dance routine and interpretation.
“Unique and witty and performance. Mafeel mo ang emotions through the storyline. Fun tingnan kase ang mga dancers kay nagaenjoy lang,” Industrial Engineering Student Cathlyn Claire Mendez said.
Another Industrial Engineering student, Mariah Shane Ng, praised the quartet’s style.
“Deserve gyud sa EA madaog. I have no doubt about it. The doble kara style nga gigamit sa group kay unexpected… Ang music pud kay hawd pag mix. Dili awkward ang transition from smooth/slow to upbeat and ilang mga steps kay bagay gyud sa genre sa song,” she shared.
Despite the audience approval, the SEA quartet insisted that a big chunk of their victory depended on the judges.
“Noong pinerform naming siya, fineel naming talaga na para kaming nasa New York. Hindi naman sinasabing hindi nila finifeel pero nasa judge kasi yun eh. Nasa judge yun kung paano nila ijujudge ang isang crew. Sa amin is ginawa lang naming yung best naming…
The dancers shared that they were not expecting another victory.
Di kami nagexpect na mananalo. Ang amin lang is ibigay sa amin ni God kung anong nararapat sa amin and siguro yun yung para sa amin,” Sarcon said.
Sarcon also emphasized on the feeling of a “dancer’s high.”
“Di ko maexplain kasi first time ko makaback-to-back (champion) pero napakasarap. Hindi alam ng iba kung bakit kami sumasayaw. Lagi nilang sinasabi ‘sayaw lang yan’ pero nung time na sumayaw kami, yung mga taong nagsasabi ng ganun, hindi nila nakikita kung anong nakikita namin pag kami ay sumsayaw. Di nila nakikita kung gaano kami kasayang nakikita ang mga taong sumisigaw, humihiyaw,” he added.
On the other hand, the Business and Management (BM) Vipers were hailed as first runner-up after enlivening the synchronization of the 80s vibe along with the tunes of Donna Summer’s hits.
“Happy kami atsaka di na namin ginaexpect kasi magagaling na yung ibang competitors,” Sharmaine Cadag, one of BM Vipers quartet, said.
When asked for the reason of their victory, she pointed out the quartet’s group chemistry, trust in the routine and choreographer, and incessant practices.
Interpreting Bob Marley’s songs, the Social Sciences (SS) Dragons bagged second runner-up after years of drought in the said competition.
“I’m very surprised, at the same time, I thank God for everything especially na this time around, nakapasok na sa top three ang SS… The dancers really did their best and of course, the cluster has been very supportive since then,” SS Cluster Rep. Princess Awa said.
This year, the quartets of the clusters were given the freedom to impose their own theme for their performance provided that the songs used were sung by the artists assigned to their respective clusters.
The winners of this year’s competition will receive gift certificates from chosen sponsors.
Metro Davao’s promising dance crews, The Rejects and Distinct Feature, graced the GDS with their intermission numbers.
Last year, the SEA Tigers also reigned victorious in the Group Dance Showdown, followed by the Accountancy Griffins and the BM Vipers.