CEBU CITY—As expected, the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) took the dancesport competition by storm.

Behind the prolific duo of Mitchloni Dinauanao and Francis Dave Sombal from Cebu City, Region 7 snatched nine gold medals in dancesport that enabled CVIRAA to stay in the upper part of the medal rankings.

As of this writing, Region 7 was in third place with 13 golds, 19 silvers, and six bronzes. Region 4A holds the top spot with 19 golds, eight silvers, and seven bronzes followed by the National Capital Region with a 15-8-13 tally.

Leading the charge for Region 7’s strong performance on the dance floor was couple Dinauanao and Sombal, who dominated the secondary’s junior latin grade A-5, junior latin single dance chacha, junior latin single dance samba, junior latin dance rumba, junior latin dance jive, and junior latin single dance paso doble.

The duo of Danieca Mae Ansay and Nash Daniel Placencia contributed a pair of golds after they topped the juvenile latin single dance rumba and juvenile latin single dance.

Shadelle Niña Hernandez and Rhyss Rhafael Fajardo contributed a gold via the junior single dance.

The dominant showing by Region 7 was something that Philippine Sports Commissioner Edward Hayco expected.

“Our position in the previous Palaro, we were hovering around No. 6, 5 or 4 and there was time, we hit No. 9 a few years ago. Now, we will improve our position with the entry of dancesport as a regular sport in the Palaro. It will tremendously boost our position in the Palaro,” Hayco said when asked about his expectations when it was decided that dancesport will become a regular sport in the Palaro.

Considered as the godfather of Cebu dancesport, Hayco said the inclusion of dancesport in the Palaro was 25 years in the making.

“It’s a 25-year journey. The dancesport advocacy started 25 years ago,” said Hayco, who is the founder of Dancesport Team Cebu City (DTCC). 

Hayco said he was ecstatic when dancesport athletes were among those who performed during the opening of Palaro and Wilbert Aunzo was one of the athletes who lit the urn.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, who was the guest of honor during the opening, also highlighted Cebu’s role in the development of dancesport in the country.

“It is something that is startling. It was inspiring for everyone when he heard that dancepost will be a medal sport,” Hayco said.

Aunzo is a product of DTCC who transformed from being scavenger in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City into a triple Southeast Asian Games gold medalist.

“We were awed because it will further strengthen dancesport as an educational and transformational sport,” said Hayco.

DTCC has also been training athletes from other regions, reaching as far as Zamboanga.

Those who benefited from DTCC’s free training also made their presence felt in the competition as elementary athletes Kyle Nathan Rey Fabian and Joy Hebron of Montessori De Zamboanga won six gold medals.

“Sports is not all about winning, it’s about sharing, helping everybody grow. If we don’t help others grow, our growth is meaningless,” said Hayco.