The Halili-Cruz School of Ballet, Philippines won again the general grand championship in the recently concluded 15th Asia Pacific Dance Competition for getting the highest grade in the entire competition held for three days at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World, Manila.
The Halili dancers won over more than 400 dancers from Beijing China, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Thailand. They won 20 gold trophies (first prizes) in the different categories, and also won the much-coveted CSTD Classical Ballet Championship and the CSTD Modern Dance Championship. The Filipinos showcased their strong technique, versatility and artistic excellence in Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Demi Character, Lyrical, National and Modern Jazz. It was indeed a grand victory for the Philippines!
The Asia Pacific Dance Competition was founded in 1998 by an Australian dance educator of the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing. It was inaugurated in Singapore with dancers from China, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, India, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia and the Philippines participating. From then on the competition was brought to Bangkok, Hong Kong and, this year, the Philippines.
The APDC is a world-class competition participated in by CSTD-accredited dance schools. It is organized by the CSTD, an elite organization of dance educators and directors.
The Halili-Cruz School of Ballet is the country’s biggest ballet school. Artistic director is Shirley Halili-Cruz. Teacher-choreographers are Grace Perez, Anna Kathrina Cruz and Anna Lissa Balmadrid.
