Manila, Philippines — Another epic dance battle took place at the Red Bull Dance Your Style
Manila Qualifiers, held last July 27 at Octopus in Makati. The intense competition showcased
Luzon's top dance talents. With the conclusion of the series of qualifiers, the country eagerly awaits the grand showdown where finalists will battle it out for the coveted title and the
chance to represent Philippines in the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals.
The unique global street dance competition swept the nation with the regional qualifiers,
challenging dancers from Cebu, Davao, and Manila to show off their talent as they freestyle
to a random selection of songs. Each city hosted fierce battles, with dancers from across the
country pushing their limits and captivating audiences with their unique styles and
high-energy performances. Each of them were vying for a spot in the Red Bull Dance Your
Style National Finals.
Manila witnessed an exceptional level of competition. The competition concluded with an
unforgettable performance by Klockwise (Kenneth Martinez), who emerged victorious with his
flawless moves and undeniable charisma. Reflecting on his Red Bull Dance Your Style journey,
Klockwise said, “I’ve only (followed) Red Bull Dance Your Style via social media, then when it
came to the Philippines, I went over to watch it live (and) the (following) year as well. When I
was in the audience, I had a vision of myself performing on stage. That’s when I made it my
goal that one day I would dance, perform, and show my skills.”
“It’s super unexpected,” Klockwise said of his win. “I just wanted to enjoy, to show what I enjoy
doing.” He shared that his preparation for the qualifiers involved listening to a lot of music
and freestyling to it. He also said he will do much of the same leading up to the National
Finals. “I’ll prepare highlights and ground moves, create new patterns of my locking, and of
course, listen to new music.”
Kid Magnus (Flourence Lavesores) who won first runner up, shared that the event felt less like
a competition. He said, “I really just enjoyed it. The crowd was so energetic and happy, which
made me feel that I was just dancing, enjoying the music, dancing to the beat. I was a bit
pressured because (my fellow) competitors (are) well known, but all of them were very nice.”
Tatai, a Japanese dancer who made it to the top 4, expressed her joy and enthusiasm at
being able to join the competition. “It’s about letting your mind go crazy, expressing your love
for dance, and enjoying music,” said Tatai about her experience. “I want to practice more,
perfect my favorite dance, and give it my all on the next stage.”
Klockwise, along with Kid Magnus, Tatai, and Q, also secured their spots for the National Finals,
joining R3DMAN (Edrian Alcaria) and MSTR PIECE (Regie Harris Lavestre), the winner and first
runner-up of the Davao qualifier. Included in the finalists are Nemesis (Sam Rivera) and Khlai
(Khlai Vargaso Batula), the winner and first runner-up of the Cebu qualifier, to complete 8
finalists from the qualifiers. The remaining slots for the National Finals will be given to wildcard
picks.
Red Bull Dance Your Style dance consultants, Vince Mendoza and Lema Diaz of the Philippine
All-Stars, expressed their excitement for the upcoming National Finals especially after seeing
the talents from the qualifiers in Manila, Cebu, and Davao. “There were so many unforgettable
moments,” remarked Lema Diaz. “You could tell that everybody brought their A-game and did
not hold back. Everybody really wanted to have the top spot to participate in the National
Finals.”
On what he looks forward to seeing in the National finals, Vince Mendoza said, “I want to see
more identity, creativity, performance, and maturity of the dancers, understanding the
message of the music and the crowd. That’s really hard to achieve as a dancer, but for the
young generation, they’re really fast at learning and adapting.”
“Listen to new music, different styles, and different genres. Enjoy the music; don't force
yourself to train,” Vince Mendoza offered as his advice for dancers as they gear up for the
National Finals. “It’s not about winning or losing; it’s about transformation. Accept your
identity, accept your uniqueness, and showcase that uniqueness. Don’t be afraid and believe
in yourself.”
Lema Diaz added, “All you have to do is be yourself, show everybody what you’ve got. What
makes you different from the rest is your own experience, your own flavor, where you come
from. Carry that with you and let the crowd decide who moves on to the next (stage).”
As the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines National Finals draw near, the anticipation is
reaching fever pitch. Crowds from across the country eagerly await for what is set to be an
electrifying and intense competition. The National Finals promises to be a spectacular
celebration of street culture, featuring thrilling dance battles, stunning choreography, and a
showcase of the nation’s best talent.
Mark your calendars! Don’t miss the chance to be part of this incredible competition and
support your favorite dancers as they compete for glory. Catch the Red Bull Dance Your Style
Philippines National Finals live on September 28 and keep an eye out for more details. Get
ready to witness the ultimate street dance showdown! Follow the Red Bull Dance Your Style
Philippines journey to the World Finals in India on November 9, 2024.
For more information and updates regarding this year’s season of Red Bull Dance Your Style,
visit the official Red Bull website and the following social media pages (Facebook | Instagram
| Tiktok )
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