As a way of establishing a tradition that celebrates the organization’s milestones since 1994, UP Dancesport Society (UPDSS), the official ballroom dancing organization in the University of the Philippines Diliman, kick-started its pioneer anniversary event last February 14 with the theme: “TRANSCEND: Breaking the virtual barrier, dancing through the distance”. The first activity in this two-week event, “REMINISCE: A Trip Down UPDSS Memory Lane” showcases the organization’s colorful history. UP Dancesport Society took the online world with them as it looked back at the organization’s flagship events such as UAAP Competitions, training memories, and accomplishments dating back to its root organization – the UP Social Dance Club.
One of the missions of UPDSS is to provide avenues related to ballroom dancing for the whole community. This year, the organization commenced a challenge entitled “SHINE: Ballroom TikTok Challenge” which is open to dancers nationwide via Tiktok and Facebook. Contestants are tasked to create a TikTok video dancing to their favorite ballroom dances such as Rumba, Jive, Tango, Pasodoble, etc, which are either Latin or Standard, and post it on their Facebook accounts. Prizes in this challenge range from 3000 PHP to 1000 PHP. Submissions are still ongoing until the 21st of February so be sure to check out the complete mechanics posted on the organization’s official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/updss.
Apart from bringing ballroom to the people, UP Dancesport Society also sees themselves extending its help to the future generation of Ballroom dancers as a commitment to public service. That’s why this February 20, the organization shall be sponsoring teams in the Geraldine Darvin Dance Challenge (GDDC). Beneficiaries of “INSPIRE: A Dancesport Outreach Project” are kids who share the same passion for ballroom as that of the organization’s members.
Following the outreach program is another heartwarming activity, one that celebrates the individual hardships and challenges that the current members of UPDSS have gone through. The Members’ Appreciation Day is an internal event wherein resident members are to take a moment and send heartfelt messages to one another. As the highlight of this anniversary celebration, the organization will also be preparing for what it does best: performing. UP Dancesport Society will show the online community how the organization has adapted to the new normal. The members will prove that they can still dance despite being unable to do so in pairs, as the sport usually calls for. Catch them as they go virtual in their online performance video to be posted on their Facebook page this February 24.
The UPDSS 2021 Anniversary Celebration doesn’t end there, this coming February 26-27, it’s the online world’s turn to learn the dances that the members of the organization have been studying for years. The two-day activity entitled “IMMERSE: Virtual Ballroom Workshop”, true to its name, aims to help people immerse themselves in dancesport. Leading these workshops would be well-renowned ballroom instructors: Alberto Dimarucut, Charmane Pasco, Chelsea Tayona, and Nathaniel Malino. To cater to the whole community of dancesport lovers and enthusiasts, the organization would be opening this activity to participants worldwide so don’t forget to grab a slot in the workshops for only 120 pesos! Again, be sure to check out the organization’s official Facebook page for more information.
The culmination of this two-week celebration is “RECONNECT: Dancesport Community Night”, wherein all the organizations applicants, members, alumni, and other relevant people would gather together for a fun night filled with nostalgia, camaraderie, and lots of games.
For questions regarding the celebration, please don’t hesitate to contact the organization through its official email address, [email protected], or through the organization’s page. Join UP Dancesport Society in celebrating the UPDSS 2021 Anniversary and don’t miss out on any details regarding this momentous event by liking and following the organization’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/updss.
This event is co-presented by MILQ FIX and Solace Sugar, in cooperation with Danceline Merchandising, Ateneo Blue Repertory Company, UST Association of Civil Engineering Students, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers UP Diliman Student Branch, and Ateneo Mathematics Society, also brought to you by UP Le Club Français, UP Circle of Landscape Architecture Students, and Ateneo Blue Symphony Orchestra, and special thanks to UP Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering Association, UP Cell Biological Society, UST Cisco Networking Academy Gateway Engineering, UP Inclusive Business Association, and our Online Media Partner, INQUIRER.net and POP!.
ADVT
