The city government of Valenzuela held on Wednesday, March 29, a dance competition as the culminating activity for the city’s National Women’s Month celebration.
The event, with the theme "We for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society #WeCanBeEquALL,” was held at the Allied Local Response Teams (ALERT) Multi-purpose Hall in Barangay Malinta.
It was facilitated by the City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) Women and Family Welfare Unit and Gender and Development Unit (GAD) in collaboration with Pamantasan Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV).
(Photo from Valenzuela City Public Information Office/ MANILA BULLETIN)
According to the city government, the interpretative dance competition was divided into two categories -- "Dance Challenge: Men's Edition" for male participants and "Girlstok'' for female participants.
Members of LGBTQIA+ community were also welcomed to participate in both categories.
The performers for the women's category were city and barangay employees and personnel from barangays Marulas, Veinte Reales, Arkong Bato, Ugong, Paso de Blas, Punturin, Tagalag, Mapulang Lupa, and Pariancillo Villa.
Participants from the General Services Office, Bureau of Fire Protection of Valenzuela, Valenzuela City Command and Coordinating Council, Valenzuela City Police Station, and Polo Area Youth Organization joined the men’s edition.
The city government said the event was held not just for showcasing the Valenzuelano talents but also as a celebration of women and empowerment of all genders, advocating an equal and inclusive society.
The dance performances featured various themes related to societal issues involving women such as violence and discrimination, women empowerment, and promotion of the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.
For the women’s category, Barangay Paso de Blas won the championship followed Barangay Mapulang Lupa (first runner-up) and Barangay Tagalag (second runner-up)
The Valenzuela City Police Station’s group was hailed as the champion in the men’s category. Polo Area Youth Organization landed as first runner-up and the Bureau of Fire Protection of Valenzuela was the second runner-up.
Valezuela City Mayor Wesley “Wes” Gatchalian’s wife, Mayoress Tiffany Gatchalian; chief of Social Welfare Operations Ms. Dorothy G. Evangelista; Mr. Christian Bautista of the faculty of Communication of PLV; Gen. T. de Leon Women’s Club president Ms. Sheila Caiña; legislative officer Mr. Gregorio Nicolas; PLV Office of the Community Engagement and Extension Services director Mr. Eduardo Andaya; and Governance Tours and Events Unit of City Government of Valenzuela supervising head Ms. Eunice Serrano were the judges of the event.