UP rules UAAP streetdance with ‘luksong tinik’

UP Street celebrates after winning the UAAP streetdance championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.

MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines impressed with its childhoodgames-inspired performance to rule the UAAP season 77 streetdance competition on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

UP Street garnered 178 points to best Company of Ateneo Dancers (167.3) and two-time streetdance titlist La Salle Dance Company-Street (167) to cop the P120,000 prize.

The event, which was first held during the league’s closing ceremonies, returned after a one-year absence and UP Street pounced on the opportunity to extend its reign in the competition’s fourth edition.

With an array of throwback and current dance mixes, UP Street sent the gallery nostalgic about childhood games like “luksong tinik,” among others.

“We wanted to show something new. Personally, I remember playing ‘patintero,’ ‘tumbang preso,’ and ‘piko,’ and I wanted to reminisce about that,” said UP street coach Von Ace Asilo in Filipino.

Dancing to a catchy mix of hip hop and electronic dance music and, Ateneo achieved its best finish in the four-year competition, while La Salle had an impressive Backstreet Boys-themed show.

Adamson’s CAST, meanwhile, placed fourth with 160.3 points, followed by Far Eastern University Dance Company (151.3), University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe (143.7), University of the East Street Warriors (137), and National University Underdawgz 126.5.