Great chemistry reaps golden success for Filipino dancesport pair

Philippine Dancesport partner Sean Mischa Aranar and Ana Leonila Nualla dance their way to three gold medals, ruling the Tango, Viennese Waltz and Five Dance events during the 30th Sea Games held at Clark, Pampanga. INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

NEW CLARK CITY — Six years ago they suddenly found themselves without partners, so Sean Micha Aranar and Ana Leonilla Nualla decided to give it a try.

It turned out to be a golden decision. Three times over.

The pair wowed the crowd as well as the judges Sunday when they swept all three categories they competed in standard dance in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Sporting wide smiles that went well with their smooth, free-flowing routines to snare mints in Viennese waltz, standard tango and five-dance.

“It’s all over in a half day but it seemed a big burden off my chest was lifted,” said Nualla in Filipino.

The 27-year-old Nualla said she hit it off right away with Aranar, 23, that they knew they got great chemistry.

On deck for their Five dance and right after winning two golds already, reporters approached to greet them. But Nualla, dressed in white and silver backless gown, was busy fixing her partner’s tuxedo.

“I’m very happy, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” she would say later.

Aranar said: “This is overwhelming. We give the honor to God and to the country.”