Skechers Streetdance Final Battle 10: A Culmination of One Decade of Streetdance Supremacy
It’s the one battle that counts. Every year since 2005, the best crews in the metro converge to face off in the biggest, toughest, and hottest streetdance competition in the country: the Skechers Streetdance Battle. A spectacular clash of the fiercest high school and college talents, battling it out to be crowned as the ultimate streetdance crew.
Being the original and longest running streetdance competition in the country has allowed the annual battle to flourish beyond the stage and out of the spotlight. With a decade of experience under its belt, much of the prestige of Skechers Streetdance Battle lies in its long history and the generation of accomplished dancers it helped mold.
When we talk about successful teams, it’s impossible not to recognize one of the strongest crews in battle history: UP Streetdance Club (UPSDC). Winning the first three years of the competition (and breaking the streak by resting on the fourth), the multi-awarded team from Diliman entered the scene ready and raring to take the title as the ultimate streetdance crew.
Former member MJ Arda has been part of the annual battle since Year 2, and is back as the technical judge in the Skechers Streetdance Battle 10 elimination legs. The co-founder of the A-Team says the competition continues to develop each year as the standards of judging, passion of the students, and the level of dancing increase. “Skechers was able to set a standard already with the dance community and the competition scene here in the Philippines, so when you dance in Skechers, you know it’s something big.”
Vimi Rivera, founder and choreographer of Legit Status, was also part of the team that achieved a three-peat from 2005 to 2007. He talks about the development of the competition throughout the decade. “When you compete, you’re inspired by the year before, so your aim is to be better than the year before,” he says. “If that’s the pattern every year, it’s been ten years now, so the level is really far [from what it is before], from technique to skills to performance to energy and stamina.”
Because of the length of its run, the Skechers Streetdance Battle has been able to position itself as a platform for emerging talents where they can launch their individual careers as professional dancers and coaches. The UPSDC, already in the spotlight as a dominant team, found that it was a natural progression to transition from collegiate competitions to professional coaching.
“It wasn’t hard,” Xernan Alfonso admits. One of the top choreographers in the industry, he credits the Skechers Streetdance Battle for kicking off his now flourishing career. “In college, everyone is already looking at you. So after college, when we started choreographing for other teams, people are also looking into these teams. We became fast friends with people in the industry; we got to be with people we idolized. It’s all because of this competition for sure. If it weren’t for this, we wouldn’t be in the league of these dancers and choreographers.”
Years in the competition circuit allowed the dancers to absorb valuable knowledge from established dancers and choreographers. This rings particularly true with the UP Streetdance Club, a team well-known for creativity and pushing the boundaries. “One of the many things we learned from our mentor Sir Jerome (Dimalanta) is to not do the same thing over and over,” Von Asilo shares. The current artistic director of the UPSDC adds, “There should always be something interesting, something that is eye-catching and somehow get the attention of people. That’s what inspires us, even when we coach.”
The connections they made during the battles proved to be an important key in their now flourishing careers in the industry. But these connections keep the crew rooted here year after year even as they pursue other things. If you find the tight-knit community of the Skechers Streetdance Battle surprising, remember that it’s been ten years and the bond has extended beyond professional obligations.
Co-founder of A-Team Angelica Arda says they’ve become especially close to the people in the competition including the organizers. “Teams always come back because they know they’re being taken care of.” Fellow alumnusShayna Young agrees with the sentiment. “I consider Skechers a tradition. There might be other competitions, but it’s different. It’s like family since it’s been with us for such a long time.”
If UP Streetdance Club was the powerhouse college crew in the early years of the competition, the Sayawatha Dance Troupe from Miriam College High School led the high school division pack from the beginning of the Skechers Streetdance Battle. Blazing the trail as the winners of Year 1, the girls from Katipunan set the stage for a decade of excellent streetdancing for high school students by showcasing precise execution and polished routines.
“It was the biggest stage I was gonna perform at,” Roz Manlangit recalls her first exposure with the competition. “Word was also going around that us, Sayawatha girls, were definitely a team to beat because we danced like boys. It was really funny hearing that.”
At present, Roz has her hands full as a full-time dancer of Tha Project as well as a coach, handling workshops and a group exercise instructor. Still, her years as a member of Sayawatha (and later, UPSDC) in the Skechers Streetdance Battle remain fresh in her mind.
“What’s most memorable about Skechers Year 1 was that it was a defining moment for me,” Roz explains what makes the competition significant. “I really started to take dance seriously then. Young dancers get an opportunity to train and believe that they can be great at their craft. It gives them a window to the possibility of dancing even up until after college since they get to meet dancers from all walks of life. It also nurtures their love for dance through a healthy competition.”
It’s evident the love of dance is ingrained into Andrea Cajucom and her teammates in Terpsichore of St. Paul College Pasig. The new team to beat after bagging first place in Skechers Streetdance Battle 9, Terpsichore keeps grounded by staying true to their vision: “Do what you love to people you love for the people you love.”
Nowadays, the field offers a wider range of competition among high schools as more teams strengthen their core group to produce the highest level of streetdancing yet. Although the talent of the team is undeniable, the girls had no idea they had a shot at winning it all in Year 9. “Last year we weren’t expecting it,” Anna Isabela Isip says. “It was kind of a humbling moment that we weren’t expecting it at all and people still believed in us even after we doubted ourselves.”
Back to defend the title this year after making it to the Final Battle, the senior dancers of the crew remain optimistic with their chances, saying they are more bonded as a team now than ever. Expect something new from Terpsichore, young competitors who are all eager to extend their winning streak and their experience on the stage. “Skechers combines all different schools so it’s a wider range of competition,” Ysa Consolacion adds. “I like how it unites the dance community. One event and you see everyone from all schools and you all have the same passion.”
Don’t miss the Skechers Streetdance Battle 10 Final Battle happening on November 15 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Be there and celebrate the culmination of the decade as the hottest dance crews strut their best moves for a chance to earn their place in the prestigious roster of Skechers Streetdance Battle. For tickets, contact SM Tickets at 470-2222 or visit www.smtickets.com.
The Skechers Streetdance Battle 10 is presented by Skechers GOrun3, Skechers SKCH+3, Skechers Time and Skechers Apparel. Also brought to you by Greenwich Pizza and media partners ETC, Manila Bulletin, Sense & Style, Sports Digest, Chalk, CLAVEL Sneaker Magazine, PEP.ph, WhenInManila.com, SoundCheckManila, www.mb.com.ph and RX 93.1. The event is conceptualized and organized by Brainbox. Check out the official event hashtags #Skechers10 and #GenerationOfChampions.
For more information on Skechers Streetdance Battle 10, visit www.skechersstreetdancebattle.
Don’t miss the outstanding performances in Skechers Streetdance Battle 10! One decade of winners. One stage for warriors. A generation of champions.
