Can dancesport deliver in Asiad?

Dancesport, also known as ballroom dancing in social circles, is aiming to put up a decent performance in the 16th Asian Games which get going on Nov. 12 to 27 in Guangzhou, China, “But I don’t want to predict (in so far as our chances to win the gold medals are concerned),” said Dance Sport Council of the Philippines president Becky Garcia in a recent interview.

The only amateur organization for dance recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, DSCP is sending to the Asiad 12 dance athletes, who will be displaying their  terpsichorean skills in both Latin and Standard categories.
Herewith are the couples’ names and their respective dances: Latin discipline—Ronnie Steeve Vergara-Charlea Lagaras (chachacha and paso doble); John Erolle Melencio-Dearlie Gerodias (samba and jive); Brian Lee Calo-Jocelyn Macopia (five dances) Standard discipline—Brian Joseph Ocana-Karla Stephanie Joy Ocana (waltz and quickstep); Emmanuel Reyes-Maira Rosete (tango and slow foxtrot); Bernie Tumarong-Miljane Camacho (five dances). DSCP chair lawyer Noel Laman is the delegation head. The other team officials are treasurer Gloria Alcala and sports director Ma. Del Carmen Emma Nieto.
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Japan, South Korea and China will be the Philippines’ biggest rivals, according to Garcia. Include, too, Kazakhstan and Thailand. Overall, the Philippines will be fielding a total of 234 athletes who will be competing in 30 sports in the quadrennial games. “Despite our limited resources, we were able to survive through the years,” said the petite Garcia, who has been at the helm of the DSCP since 1996. “While it is true that the Philippines is still young compared with other dance organizations who have been there for ages, our athletes are now a force to reckon with in the global scene.” Filipino dance athletes are making big strides in the international arena. “We want to make our dancers globally competitive,” said Garcia.  “We have a lot of good dancers, but sadly, they would rather become dance instructors (DI) in order to earn money.”
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The Meralco Valenzuela Service Center should be commended for its fast, courteous and efficient service to its subscribers. There was electrical service interruption due to heavy rains accompanied by thunder and lightning in my place in Tabing-Ilog, Marilao, Bulacan, last Friday, but electrical service was immediately restored. Kudos, too, to the hardworking and ever reliable Joe Zaldarriaga, the Meralco corporate communications head; and his staff. May your tribe increase… I gathered that Marilao Mayor Peping Guillermo is yet to fill up the vacancy left by the demise of Councilor Allan Aguilar. Why not include former Nagbalon barangay captain and many-time Marilao municipal secretary Monching Villamar to the short list? A graduate of San Beda College and Far Eastern University, Mr. Villamar will surely provide wisdom with his vast experience in good governance and maturity to the Marilao council… And belated birthday greetings to youthful Letran Prof. Oliver Ryan Custodio.