If there’s one act that screams empowerment and confidence, it’s dancing. Make it an all-girl group synchronized to the beat and it’s a striking vision of power.

Eight schools battled it out on the court that served as the dance floor for the 2nd Hip-hop Dance Competition during the 50th Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA), which opened last Sept. 21 at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“Let’s go, let’s go!” chanted St. Paul College Pasig’s 16-member dance crew, called Terpsichore Street, after the goddess of dance. With their impressive moves and determined facial expressions, they came out on top in the Juniors Division.

But with every performance comes a set of struggles. The group had limited time to practice due to numerous suspensions of classes and conflicting schedules, said Pau O’Keeffe, a Grade 11 Terpsichore Street member. They made sure these didn’t affect their performance.

Meanwhile, the University of Asia and the Pacific’s (UA&P) Squadra, last year’s first runner-up, emerged champion this season in the Seniors Division. Dressed in sleek white pants and blazers, the ladies knew their first rule of business was to win, and so they did.

For Kyra Matela, third year at UA&P, she has her “family” of young women who empower each other with every dance move to thank for.

Squadra, like any family, went through hardships. The biggest challenge was developing chemistry among the new members who were competing for the first time. Then there was the stress of academics. The pressure was high for them to clinch the championship.

Eye on the prize

But their eyes were on the prize. “It served as a motivation for us to train and hustle harder,” Matela said.

In the Juniors Division, San Beda Alabang was first runner-up, while Assumption Antipolo placed second runner-up.

For the Seniors Division, University of Makati placed first runner-up, while Centro Escolar University was second runner-up.

St. Scholastica’s College and Philippine Women’s University also competed in the Seniors Division.

The five participating schools in the Seniors Division will directly enter the finals of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games special hip-hop competition on Nov. 12. The winner will perform at a special event organized by the SEA Games. —CONTRIBUTED