UNEP Dance Club grabs victory over GMA 7’s Bet ng Bayan competition

IRIGA CITY – The energetic and synchronized moves and the teeming confidence, gave the  University of Northeastern Philippines  Dance Club (UDC) an over-all win over its opponents during the GMA 7’s Bet ng Bayan show at SM City Naga Parking Area, September 22, Sunday.

 UDC members did not just give its jurors a reason to have a synonymous nod over their performance but also amazed their audience with the breath-taking tweaks and turns that they incorporated in their winning piece.  Indeed, UDC gave their competitors a rightful match during the said competition.
 
The dance was choreographed by UNEP Dance Club (UDC) Artistic Director Homer Q. Villareal.  He was also managing the group for the past 7 years now.
 
Villareal congratulated each members of the team for the effort, teamwork, dedication and for having that unanimous will to bring home the bacon. “ They indeed gave their all to ensure that we will  bring home the honor, and now they will represent the Bicol Region in the upcoming Luzon Semi-finals in Clark, Pampanga come November 12,” Villareal added.
 
UDC competed in the dance category dubbed as “Bet na Dancers”. This category is open to all Filipino dancers , professional, non-professional, can be solo, duo or group with a maximum of 12 dancers and ages 15 and above. Other categories include Bet na Singers and Bet na Kakaibang Talento.
 
The new 12 UDC members belong to the new generation of dancers being trained by Villareal every year.  Their training just started just months before the competition, the reason why they have to really put extra efforts in mastering their steps and the challenge of memorizing the dance sequence to qualify for the regional round.
 
Villareal said that their victory was a hard-earned one. They passed through various elimination rounds which started off last August 24 in Legazpi City.
 
UNEP Dance Club will represent the Bicol Region in the Luzon Semi-finals under the Dance Category.  Other areas that will also compete during the semi- finals were Batangas for the Bet na Singers category and Catanduanes in the Bet na kakaibang Talento Category.
 
UNEP President Remelisa Alfelor-Moraleda congratulated the group and extended her gratefulness for adding another feather to the university’s cap.
 
UDC has been in existence for the past 7 years - changing dancers every year as others would graduate from college and had to leave in pursuit of their chosen professions. Yet Villareal never gets tired in coming up with new talents and harnessing them to be the best dancers that they can be.
One of the judges, Marketing Consultant and Event Manager Eleanor Zuñiga “Leanne”  Montemayor said in an interview that she already predicted that UDC is up for the win.
 
“From the very start, I had a feeling they will win!  As one of the judges, I gave 98 percent for UNEP. Sobrang galling nila with all the body moves and synchronized movements and the smiles – love it! Plus their hair and make up – awesomely perfect!!”, Montemayor quips. (UNEP)

Lizel S. Macatangay
# 0918-5532-103