Manila, Philippines - The Halili-Cruz School of Ballet (HCSB) was named as the Grand Champion in the 14th Asia Pacific Dance Competition (APDC) held from July 20 to 22 in Hong Kong.
The Philippine delegation led by artistic director Shirley Halili Cruz with ballet teachers and choreographer Anna Balmadrid, Grace Perez, and Anna Kathrina Halili Cruz bagged the championship prize in the Group Professional Category of the dance “Anima” with a grade of 99.
All 95 ballet dancers from HCSB won first prize and received trophies and medals in the different dance categories: classical ballet, lyrical, demi character, modern and contemporary performed in solo, duo, trio, ensemble, pas de deux, and group. They participated in the different age categories: nine years old and under, 12 years old and under, 15 years old and under, and open professional category.
The Australian Adjudicator and APDC officials, Chinese organizers of the Hong Kong dance federation and the foreign competitors were all praises for the Philippine delegation. The HCSB dancers were admired and commended not only for their excellent performance on stage but also with their conduct and discipline off stage in the three-day duration of the competition. From rehearsals to performance the Filipinos were outstanding. HCSB also got the two special awards: The President Cup for the “Best Performer” and the Nikon Cup as the “Over-All Grand Champion” in the open group professional category.
Some 1,240 dancers from 37 dance schools and dance companies from all over Asia participated.
Consul General Noel Servigon and other consulate officials witnessed the world-class performance of the Filipinos ballet dancers.