12-Year-Old B-BOY ALLEN ANAS WINS Breakdancing Competition to Represent Philippines In Fukuoka, Japan

12-Year-Old B-BOY ALLEN ANAS WINS Breakdancing Competition to Represent Philippines In Fukuoka, Japan

Philippines, 3^rd July 2013–Local student and prodigy Allen Añas, the youngest among the 29 competitors, was crowned champion at the True Hip Hop Elements (T.H.E.) Grind dance competition, which took place in A-Venue Mall, Makati City. The 12-year-old student will represent the Philippines at the upcoming Red Bull BC One Asia-Pacific Finals taking place in Fukuoka, Japan this October. Once again entering as the youngest contestant, Añas will compete against B-boys from countries such as Malaysia, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

T.H.E. Grind, formed by the partnership between Red Bull (Blue & Silver can) and the Philippine All Stars, featured B-boy battles consisting of 1-on-1 elimination matches judged by international performers from different dance styles. This marks the first time Red Bull partnered up with the Philippine All Stars to give Filipino break-dancers a chance to represent the country in Red Bull’s BC One Asia-Pacific Finals in Fukuoka, Japan.

The break-dancing prodigy’s first round was a breeze with all judges favoring Añas over his opponent. In the second round, Bboy Allen faced Killa4 from crew Cash. The semifinals consisted of two one-minute rounds inspired by ‘60’s music. Bboy Allen started off with a bit of fancy footwork before showing his agility combined with power moves. Allen’s moves proved too much for Killa4 as he advnacedinto the finals by another unanimous decision.

In the finals, Bboy Allen from Breakism faced off against the crowd favorite Bboy Reflex from Soulstice. They both had three one-minute rounds in the final battle to allow both dancers to show their full range of skills. Power moves were pulled left and right by Bboy Reflex during his first set. The child prodigy quickly answered back with his own power moves. Continuing for two more sets, dancers from the late Michael Jackson’s Immortal Tour, Pom, Hourth and Mansour ultimately deemed breaker Allen Añas’ performance better than the rest.

As the winner, Allen Añas won the cash prize, products from local sponsors, and, most importantly, the privilege to represent the Philippines in Red Bull BC One’s Asia-Pacific Finals on October 12 in Fukuoka, Japan. Should the Philippines’ break-dancing student-prodigy win in Japan, he will go on and be sent to Seoul, Korea as one of the 16 finalists to compete on a global scale for the Red Bull BC One Championship.

B-BOY ALLEN ANAS

“I feel blessed and lucky to have beaten so many great dancers. Thank you to the All Stars. I’ll do my best to make you all proud in Japan at the Red Bull BC One,” was all the young breaker could say after his awesome performance.

In addition to the B-boy Battles, T.H.E. Grind was a block party that brought the community together by putting on a car show, fashion show and dance battle all rolled into one. It was for everyone to see and join, held in A-Venue’s parking lot. The dance battles featured poppers, all-stylers, and, of course breakers from different crews in the Philippines. Hosting the event were Sheena Vera Cruz and Wave 89.1’s Radio DJ Nathan.

Taking in everything the Filipinos could show, expert stepper and body percussionist Khalid Freeman stated, “… we just judged a dope B-Boy battle for Red Bull BC One qualifier. The skills and culture is really dope here so we are very honored and thankful to be welcomed in this country. Congrats to the Philippine All Stars for hosting a great event.”