13 Dance Groups Contend for Agilakas Gumalaw 2019 Dance Competition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

What started out as a meek dance contest providing a significant follow through on the onset of Agila The EKsperience in 2016, AGILAKAS GUMALAW DANCE COMPETITION now makes dynamic reception, waves, and recall in the dance community in the Philippines.

Bringing in their intricately-designed props and costumes, 13 solid groups battled it out and proved that they all deserve of the title last Sunday (June 23). Guests were marveled at the grooves of each team firing up the dance floor with moves from hip hop, break dance, contemporary, tribal, up to punk.

Like the Philippine Eagle as a national symbol of Filipino’s undying grit, dance groups showed an all-out performance with smoothness and ease in their routines and exhibitions. Highlighting a patch of patriotism in the dance piece, groups have showcased their interpretation of an original Tats Faustino composition, “Pinoy Magaling Ka” at the end of every team’s performance.

The 13 finalists were adjudged by the esteemed names in performing arts chamber headed by Neslyn Anne Janiola of A.X.I.S Dance Company. Personalities who also joined on the judging panel were Keisha Almoroto of Sexbomb NewGen, Carlos Serrano III of A.X.I.S and TPM, and XB Gensan member Gon Gungon. Enchanted Kingdom Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Cynthia R. Mamon also seated on the panel.

Proving they’re worthy of last year’s tilt, J-Crisis showed an astounding performance that left the crowd in awe and screamed for more with their death-defying stunts. A special performance from A.X.I.S Dance Company brought the house down with their hip-smashing and all-style groove.

“Elites of God” Reigned Supreme

Oozed out in fascinating costume allied with astonishing acts, sky-high jumps and winding flips and spins, Elites of God reigned supreme and hailed as this year’s champion. The 20-piece, Muntinlupa City-based dance squad took home a trophy, and P25,000 cash.

Completing the roster are Little Warriors as second runner up, and Philippine Identity Crew as first runner up. They, too, have knocked the judges and audience dead that ticketed them to take home P15,000 and P20,000 respectively.

Film Festival Celebrates Stories of PH National Heroes

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Learn more about the Philippines’ colorful history and discover the stories of Filipino historical figures by watching biopics during the National Heroes Retrospective Film Festival. Organized by the Shangri-La Plaza in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Festival happens until June 22, 2019 at Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Cinema 4, which coincided with national hero Jose Rizal's 158th birth anniversary last June 19.

In celebration of Sandaan: the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema, six (6) films that champion different Philippine national heroes and their contributions to the country will be screened during the Festival. These are “Ang Kababaihan ng Malolos” directed by Sari Dalena and Kiri Dalena, “Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli” directed by Gil Portes, “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” directed by Enzo Williams, “Jose Rizal” directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” and “Heneral Luna” directed by Jerrold Tarog.

The screening schedule is as follows:

Admission to the screening is free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Government, Public Sectors Kick off Support for Athletes, Para Athletes in First-ever Unity Walk

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) joined forces Saturday, June 22 at the College of Science Oval in UP Diliman to stage a unity event among various sports sectors to prepare for the coming Southeast Asian Games later this year and the ASEAN Para Games in 2020.

Billed as Olympic Day and Lakad Para Atleta 2019, the event witnessed for the first time ever, a unity walk of abled body athletes walking side by side with para athletes to give life to the event theme,“Unity and Transformation Through Sports.” The event was highlighted by a torch relay that featured five pairs of Olympians and Paralympians traversing the 500-meter oval, symbolizing inclusiveness and equality for all.

The torch relay culminated in a cauldron lighting ceremony followed by the Lakad Para Atleta Legacy Walk participated in by athletes and non-athletes, including a huge group from Citi Philippines as key supporter of PPC and the Paralympic movement. After the walk, the Philippine Olympians Association turned over seedlings to the University of the Philippines to express their advocacy that sports can be used for the betterment of the environment.

Exhibitions and participative activities followed in arnis, skateboarding, athletics, karate, underwater hockey, petanque and parasports like Braille Chess, Wheelchair Racing, Wheelchair Basketball and Para Athletics entertained attendees. A Body Combat session conducted by Fitness First turned the event into a sports fair.

“We are overwhelmed by the show of support from our partners in the government and private sectors, especially Citi Philippines. This is a big push for our national athletes who will be competing for the country in the upcoming SEA Games this November and the ASEAN Para Games in January 2020!,” said PPC President Michael Barredo.

For his part, Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed said that by supporting the event, Citi Philippines is expressing its corporate commitment. “Para Athletes are truly an inspiration as they overcome the odds to achieve and excel with courage and determination. Today is an opportunity for us to become advocates of their cause, so that we can break down the perceptions around disability and push for inclusion and equality for all.”

Olympic Day is an annual global event of the Olympic Movement that promotes the sharing of the Olympic Ideals, its Olympic Day pillars of Move, Learn, and Discover and the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship, and Respect. The event was introduced in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games in June 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris.


Around 3,000 people from all walks of life registered for the event.

TORCH BEARERS: (OLYMPIAN + PARALYMPIAN)

Elma Muros Posadas – Queen of Long Jump, 1984, 1996

Andy Avellana – Athletics, 2012

Roel Velasco – Boxing Bronze Medalist 1992

Ernie Gawilan – Swimming, 2016

Christine Jacob Sandejas – Swimming 1984

Jerrold Mangliwan – Wheelchair Racing, 2012

Stephan Fernandez – Taekwondo 1992

Josephine Medina – Table Tennis, Bronze Medalist, 2016

Sen. Freddie Webb – Basketball 1972

Adeline Ancheta-Dumapong – Para Powerlifting, Bronze Medalist, 2020