#CulturePH - Manila’s Finest Take the Floor at Red Bull Dance Your Style Regional Qualifier
The streets of Manila were electrified as Red Bull Dance Your Style brought another round of high-energy dance battles during the Manila Qualifier on April 25 at XYLO at The Palace. Top freestyle dancers from Manila and neighboring cities competed in fierce one-on-one battles for a coveted spot at the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final in Cebu.
The regional qualifier coincided with the Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour’s stop in the Philippines, adding to the excitement of the event.
The City’s Finest Shine at the Red Bull Dance Your Style Manila Qualifier
Manila witnessed an electrifying competition as the region’s top dancers showcased their creativity, improvisation, and freestyling prowess set to a random selection of tunes. In true Red Bull Dance Your Style fashion, the crowd decided which dancer moved on to the next round, with Jigoro ultimately claiming victory.
“I’m so happy and it’s all worth it,” said Jigoro about their win. “Being a full-time dancer, this is a big feat for me.” He also cited the support from his friends and community as his drive during the competition.
For Jigoro, the highlight of his Red Bull Dance Your Style experience is the local dance community’s support for each other. “Despite the fierce competition on the battle stage, all the love from my fellow competitors is really one of the most memorable things to me about the competition.”
This win earns Jigoro a ticket to compete at the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final for a chance to fly to Los Angeles, USA as the Philippines’ representative at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final. Jigoro and EBOY, the Manila Qualifier runner-up, will join SUJI and SPADECKX from the Davao Qualifier in the lineup of finalists for the National Final.
Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour Lights Up Manila’s Dance Scene
Manila became a dance hub as the Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour landed in the Philippines. Vietnamese Popping sensation and 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style World Champion MT Pop came to Manila to immerse in the local dance scene and connect with emerging talent. This gave global and local street dancers a rare opportunity to come together and elevate street dance in Asia. Japanese Hip-Hop dancer and 2022 Red Bull Dance Your Style World Champion THE D Soraki, as well as Korean Waacking queen and 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style Korea National Finalist Yoon Ji, joined MT Pop for the Manila stop of the tour.
“It’s been a long time coming,” remarked MT Pop. “I’ve really been wanting to come to the Philippines, and a lot of dancers from here have been messaging me to ask when I will come here. Finally, I’m in the Philippines and I’m really happy to be here.”
He added, “Immediately, everybody has given us such a warm welcome and shown us a lot of love.”
For MT Pop, the chance to encounter dancers in Southeast Asia is the most important thing about the Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour. “I’m from Vietnam, and I’m happy to get a chance to spotlight great dancers from Southeast Asia and share the stage with them.” On what he wants to impart to local dancers, MT Pop said, “Just keep going. Keep learning. Everybody has had their share of difficulties, but for me what’s important is that when we love it, we do it. Dream it. Wish it. And, do it.”
The global dancers were also in attendance during the Red Bull Dance Your Style Manila Qualifier. “The final battle was really fire. And with everybody vibing here, with good music, it really was the perfect night.”
MT Pop’s rise from a local street dancer in Vietnam to a global champion underscores how Red Bull Dance Your Style opens doors for dancers. Red Bull Dance Your Style highlights freestyle dance as a universal art expression that can connect communities from all over the world.
All Eyes on Cebu for the Next Battle Wave
The Red Bull Dance Your Style journey does not stop in Manila as the competition gears up for its qualifier round in Cebu. Another set of elite dancers are challenged to bring their best moves to secure their spot in the National Finals and stand a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly out to Los Angeles, USA to represent the Philippines at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final this October 11.
To join the Cebu Qualifiers, register through the provided link. Catch the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals in Cebu on May 24. Visit Red Bull’s website to register and get your tickets.
Follow MT Pop and the rest of the global dancers’ journey across Asia with the Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour. Support the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines National Finalists as they prepare to go head-to-head in Cebu this May.
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