INQUIRER Sports

MAKATI CITY, Philippines--Clad in goddess-inspired outfits, the Company of Ateneo Dancers (CAD) grooved their way to the top and took home the grand prize in the Nike Women Dance Battle.

?We?re really avant-garde to be different and unique,? said Steff Someda, a BS Biology student and team captain of CAD, in an interview during the contest held at A. Venue Saturday.

?We put a lot of energy, belief, faith in ourselves and faith in God,? added Jesse Castillo, AB Arts Management student and co-dance head of CAD.

Practicing their stunts and dance routine with a lot of stretching and abdominal exercises for five hours a day for two weeks did not hinder their academics, Someda said.

?We have managed our time because we love doing this and we believe that if there?s a will, there?s a way,? she said.

Hip-hop gave them the chance to express themselves and stand for who they are, she added.

?In hip hop, you get to express yourself unlike in other sports where there are rules. Though hip hop has technicalities, you can express yourself more with every move that you make,? she explained.

Mae Dichupa, Nike Philippines country marketing manager, said hip-hop empowers women by making them fit and feel good.

?We?re holding this to really energize women?s fitness through hip-hop. We realize that today?s women are multi-dimensional and energetic. Hip-hop as a dance really enables women to express themselves,? she said.

So what does it take to become a good hip-hop dancer?

Being fit does not only entails stretching your muscles but also means eating proper healthy food, Someda said. ?Never ever starve yourself,? she stressed.

As grand prize winners, the CAD received P100,000 worth of Nike gift certificates, 10 iPod touch mp3 players and one year Fitness First membership certificates.

The Company of One from Miriam College placed second with P50,000 worth of Nike gift certificates, while La Consolacion Synckupado ended up third place and received P35,000 worth of Nike gift certificates.

Among other dance groups who joined the contest were teams from UP Manila, Mapua, Lyceum, Far Eastern University, UST and Letran.