by JANIS JOPLIN G. MOISES and ARTHUR N. APOSTOL
UST MAKATHA Circle representatives, Parabayle, is this year’s champion in a virtual dance competition of the Faculty of Arts and Letters (AB), Transcendence: Cypher 2.0, held Thursday via Facebook live.
Parabayle bested five participants from Behavioral Science (BES), Legal Management (LM), and communication programs.
Parabayle was crowned champion with their dance concept that was inspired by their experiences in managing their own online businesses during the pandemic while incorporating girl power in their choreography.
“This win was completely unexpected. I remember crying after announcing the champions. This was my first competition in college and I’d be leaving a legacy for our society,” Parabayle team captain Bea Masiclat told The Flame.
The troupe’s performance theme of small businesses amid the new normal was inspired by the clothing line of Masiclat—NA Aparador and co-team captain Patricia Anne Holgado’s online shop— House of Aphrodite, as well as online selling experiences of other group members.
Parabayle only had five days to brainstorm, choreograph, and film themselves before the submissions. However, the extension of the deadline gave them more time to polish their piece, according to Masiclat.
“Kahit na hindi kami nagkita kita [nang] personal to practice, we managed to pull it off. I love how we coordinated and connected with each other, at ang naging bunga non ay yung pagiging champion namin. I am ecstatic knowing that all of us did our best. Padayon, Parabayle,” Holgado said.
Communication arts junior Maraia Mananquil placed first runner-up with her performance that symbolized art and self-expression of an artist both in performing and visual art.
“I enjoyed paintings as one of my hobbies during the quarantine, and that’s where I got the idea of doing a painting-inspired dance, hence the moves and the song choice, (colors of the wind),” Mananquil said.
The online setup and being a solo performer were not struggles in choreographing her own steps since she usually follows an instructor, she added.
“I was happy about my performance, I was satisfied with the outcome. I did not expect to win, but I’m glad I placed second,” Mananquil said.
Representatives of Cathartic, the BES’ official dance troupe, Miguel Aquino Jr. and Lianne Flores earned a spot as second runner-up after conceptualizing being “plantitos and plantitas” amid the pandemic by dancing to the song “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee.
Flores elaborated that the concept was about appreciating the things at home, which in their case was taking care of plants by means of helping the environment despite the pandemic.
“We did not have the chance to meet face-to-face while working on our piece. But still, I can say that we are still blessed and we are grateful for the people behind our backs, our choreographers, friends, and the whole Cathartic family,” Aquino said.
Other Artlets who competed in the event are BES freshman Jio Jaramel, LM senior Jullian Umali, and LM freshman Ma. Cecilia Foja.
BA Dauncén held its annual dance competition virtually after being canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BA Dauncén is the newly recognized dance organization in AB.
The competition is now open to all Artlets regardless of background in dancing or affiliations with dance organizations and is now accommodating all styles of dance instead of just the street dance style.
BA Dauncén said that they are aiming for inclusivity, diversity, and unifying of the Artlet community through dance in the event. F
