TRADITIONS will be broken when competitions in ballroom dancing kicks off the start of the 79th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
The event will be introduced this year as a demonstration sport by league officials, to be held right before the opening ceremonies at the Plaza Mayor, in front of the main building of the University Santo Tomas campus along Espana Ave., Manila.
“Matagal na naming iniisip ito. Hindi pa siya hinog. Even the schools are still at the starting point of getting to know the sport. Gumawa pa nga kami ng dance camp para dito,” said secretary-treasurer Gilda Camus of Season 79 host UST during a briefing Tuesday.
“There to Dream” is Season 79’s theme.
Ballroom dancing is one of the demo events being held in the league, following the rout which street dancing and cheer dancing took when they were introduced in the league many years ago.
“Instead of the usual palabas, competition agad. But still, it’s dance,” added Camus.
This will be the second time that the league is breaking tradition since season 74, when Ateneo de Manila held the opening ceremonies at the Marikina Sports Complex, under rainy conditions.
The competitions will commence at 2 p.m. at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, before the opening ceremonies get going at around 5:30 p.m. at the Plaza Mayor.
Officials said they want to share the beauty of the UST campus, with the festivities to be highlighted by a concert.
Camus said the basketball games begin the following day as they are still finalizing the venues and schedules.
Organizers are considering the readiness of the athletes to play, which is the reason why the opening games will be held the following day instead.
“In previous years, the teams will play on opening day. Pero pagod sila sa opening ceremonies. Ang tagal ng waiting time,” said Camus.
On the other hand, around 100 participants per school are expect to take part in the dance competition.