 |
| Ms. Myla with the choreographer in a huddle with the dancers. |
Despite pressing schedule to participate in another Provincial level competition, also in December, DJAPMNHS willingly, and without hesitation, accepted the offer to represent Ibaan when they were first approached by Ibaan Municipality’s representatives headed by Ms. Myla Guerra-Soriano, Municipal Tourism Officer. With the school’s almost a thousand population, the Municipality faces limited odds in finding talents. The school stands proud as a never ending hot spring and one great melting pot for the same reason and purpose. DJAPMNHS is thus a rational choice to strut the Ibaan way at the street dance competition.
 | ||||||||
| DJAPMNHS' coordinators with Ma'am Myla. |
Making a decision to accept the challenge is never an easy one. Street dance requires a number of students to be in the practice. That would also mean sacrificing the students-participants’ academic activities. However, the prestige of officially representing Ibaan is another thing that can’t be forsaken. And despite any difficulties in making it possible, DJAPMNHS willfully opened their gates to embrace the hope of keeping the fire alive to become number one in the Province in such category.
According to the school’s administration, lending their students to the competition is both a challenge and a privilege for them. And choosing them to be at the front seat of the contest already made them proud as Pastorians.
“We believe on the capability of our students. We know they won’t fail us”, says Mrs. Lilian Perez who took charge of choosing would-be student-participants together with her daughter, who is also a teacher at the said school, and other members of the school’s administration.
For the school, the challenge comes with the desire of proving to the rest of the Province of Batangas that, although a public school, their students’ arsenal is locked and loaded with reliable talents, and at par with other private schools. There is no holding back, now that the opportunity is already at hand.
 |
| Some of the brave and the bold DJAPMNHS dancers. |
The Participants
Even during the first meeting with the Municipality’s representatives, the school administration’s mind is already running wild like a computer matrix, immediately uploading names of their students who have the guts, charisma and the talent to be on the street for the glory of Ibaan. As mentioned earlier, the odds are too nil to be considered a problem. The school provides a kaleidoscope of everything and everyone, more than enough to meet anything that is needed to win.
Majority of the participants were chosen from 4th year level. The group is divided into two with boys at one side and the ladies on the other. All in all, there are more than 60 participants stomping on the tune of taking home the honors and laurel at stake of the street dance competition.
I for myself can hardly cast any doubt on the school’s capability. In the last Mutya Ng Ibaan 2012 Fashion Show, as part of the local talent presentation, DJAPMNHS dancers, who are also members of the group, have proven their worth. Their dancers took the last spot of the program. And just as when the audience is feeling the nausea from within, the crowd went gaga when they started dancing the beat of “Bongga Ka ‘Day” song. And as for my exaggeration, had the roof been laid lower over Recto Gym, DJAPMNHS dancers would have raised it to the delight of screaming crowd.
And before it could be forgotten, members of the famous Ibaan youth oriented group KALIBAYAN are also mixed up with DJAPMNHS dancers to add up more spice on their performance.
 |
| Taking a break from practice with a bowl of soup. |
Since DJAPMNHS is throwing their all-out-support to their student-participants and to Ibaan Municipality’s dream to grab the most coveted Street Dance title, the Municipality for itself is also pouring everything they can so as not to derail the preparations.
After listing down the names of the students, parents were then called for a meeting to explain how things will be during the practice and during the competition. And for the parents not to worry, the Municipality for itself will provide the students’ costume that will be used for the competition. And during the practice, government and private vehicles, particularly those of Mayor Danny Toreja’s, will take the students home after the practice.
The students are also being provided with vitamins, through the Office of the Mayor and Municipal Health Office, to maintain their strength and stamina during the practice, leading to the competition proper.
 |
| Still finding reasons to smile although tired and exhausted. |
Surprisingly, after three days of practice from the time the dance group was assembled, the group was already able to master their dance piece –the basics which will be used while on parade and the contest piece for the competition proper.
Although it’s already an achievement since things just started rolling, the school’s administration is not moved at all. From the start, they know very well their students and they are all too proud to speak of the level of DJAPMNHS’ caIiber. And that’s how fast their students can catch up with what is being taught to them.
The practice will run daily for the next 20 days or so as may be needed. But since the routines are almost complete, the only thing that is left to do is to polish and to perfect the steps and blocking. And couple of days before the contest proper, the group will stage their piece with their costumes on at Ibaan streets for Ibaenos to see how they’ll perform at Calaca. But more importantly, to have a clearer view of any lose ends on street blocking.
Expectedly, the practice will run smoothly until December. At this early stage of preparations, the Municipality of Ibaan is thankful how things are falling into their places as scheduled. According to Mayor Danny Toreja, DJAPMNHS is very cooperative and one thing that he appreciates the most is the school’s open communication and coordination with the municipality’s street dance organizers (organizers from Ibaan municipality include Ms. Myla Guerra-Soriano, Mun. Administrator Rico Caringal and Mr. Joel Patena).
 |
| All eyes for the big win in Calaca Street Dance Contest. |
Choreographers from San Jose, Batangas was called in to train the students. Mr. Jojo de Castro also provides a hand in establishing the dance's concept. But basically, the dance somehow is an interpretative dance showcasing Ibaan humble beginnings and its culture as applied in an street dance genre.
With 63 or more expected to participate, Street Dance Competition is where I am placing my bet for Ibaan to win.
(In days to come, TIA will try posting more photos and video clips of their practice as we follow their journey to judgment day.)
ala ehh! iba ang IBAAN :))
ReplyDelete