Division Palaro 2023

Maniscan, Legaspi breaks through PHS Strikers' iron-wall defense in battle for gold

MARIKINA CITY - Marist Bears Yuan Angelo Maniscan and Vincent Benedict Legaspi goliaths Parang High School (PHS) Strikers, 8-0, achieving gold medal in the Secondary Level Football during the Division Palaro 2023 at Marikina Sports Center, March 18.

Playing the game was finished in the blink of an eye as powerful duo Maniscan and Legaspi bombard PHS Strikers with their compelling attacks, backed by supporting defense from fellow Bears.

With his Messi-like dribbling, Maniscan swayed his way deep into the Striker’s defense, banking three goals for the Bears and setting opportunities for his team to attack the opposing team’s crumbling teamwork.

Legaspi’s strikes were on point, backed by Maniscan to shoot two more points for the team.

Bears’ team play and ball movement complimented their spectacular defense and kept the ball mostly in their possession during the match.

John Vlair Pozon scored back-to-back goals before the end of the first half to quash any hopes remaining for the Strikers, with Zachary Nathan Piñon scoring his team’s final goal.

Another dominating performance was showcased by Marist Bears as they easily revoked PHS hopes to play for the regionals.

“Goods naman [ang result], okay naman, masaya naman [and] na-enjoy naman naming team,” Maniscan said as he congratulates his team.

The Bears were delighted as they advanced to the next round, representing Marikina City for the NCR Palaro of the same event.

“Kailangan naming maghanda nang mabigat kasi mabigat na ‘yung mga opponents… hindi lang enough ‘yung best, we [must] go to [a] higher level pa talaga,” Coach Solomon Valerio emphasized.

“Although good naman sa mga basic skills, maybe ‘yung mga tactics, [tactical] play, ‘yung mga play [na] gagawin namin, then how to defend and how to attack as a group, how to defend as a group, and some of [the] quick transitions,” Valerio added when asked of their team’s preparation for their next competition.

Meanwhile, Maniscan and Legaspi mentioned that confidence, coordination, stamina, and core strength are the aspects they must improve in their strategies and plays coming into the NCR Palaro.

“Mas intense training [pa] kasi these days hindi masyado intense ‘yung mga training namin,” Legaspi added.

Story by: Jacques Borral

NES, MALES sleekly moves as reigning champions

MARIKINA CITY — Burning up the floor with their sleek moves, dancers from Nangka Elementary School (NES) and Malanday Elementary School (MALES) pranced as champions by bagging the most medals and awards during the elementary level-Dancesports competition held for Division Palaro 2023 at MALES Gymnasium last March 19.

Highlighting the dancers’ unwavering enthusiasm and energy as they perform their routines under the Latin American and Modern Standard disciplines, each couple displayed great chemistry and teamwork while swaying to the beat of the music.

Despite its hard choreography, the young dancers’ talents shone with every move in Cha-cha-cha, Rumba, Samba, and Jive for the Latin American Discipline and Waltz, Tango, and Quickstep for the Modern Standard Discipline.

NES was awarded four gold and one silver medals while MALES won six gold, nine silver medals and 10 bronze medals.

“As a coach, hindi ko mapipigilang maging proud dahil nakita niyo naman ‘yung performance ng mga bata,” MES Sports Coordinator Gina Nesas expressed happily.

For Nesas, training the dancers for the competition proved to be a difficult task as the sport was a “first-time experience” for everyone.

“Kahit gustong-gusto ko magalit (during training), hindi ko magawa kasi, siyempre, una, nangangapa sila. Wala silang ka ide-ideya. First timer silang lahat. Pangalawa, strikto ako pero with love. Pangatlo, nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila kasi though very short ang aming training, nakikinig sila and very interested ang mga bata,” Nesas added.

For Khoijie Garcia, a 5th grade student and a dancer who represented MALES in the competition, the lack of time for training especially affected the dancers because not only one, but several choreographies need to be mastered in order to represent their school.

“Minsan, namimiss po namin ‘yung klase namin pero excuse naman po kami doon kasi gumawa ng letter ‘yung coach namin para ma-excuse kami at makapag-practice,” said Garcia.

Nevertheless, all of the dancers were still able to give outstanding performances, moving with ease and overflowing charisma as they enchant the audience.

In light of the opportunity given to dancers as Division Palaro resumed, the dancer’s talents, determination and hardwork were strengthened and paid off as they won awards for representing their schools in the event.

Story by: Jillian Frondozo and Aleck Llamoso

MHS, MariSci sway to the beat toward regionals

MARIKINA CITY — Dancers from Marikina High School (MHS) and Marikina Science High School (MariSci) bag titles as champions of this year’s Division Palaro Dancesports competition under the junior category, held at Malanday Elementary School (MES) Gymnasium last March 19.

Showcasing their skills, energy, and charisma with routines– the two categories involved for this event are Latin American and Modern Standard.

Under the Latin Standard Discipline were the Cha-cha-cha, Rumba, and Jive with the Modern Standard Discipline having the Waltz, Tango, and Quickstep performed by the dancers.

The MHS took home four gold medals and a silver medal while MariSci bagged six gold, nine silver, and 10 bronze medals.

For Enialle Halley Dela Paz, a dancer under MariSci Dance Company (MDC) who represented the school under the Latin American Category, being involved at Dancesports was not an easy feat.

“Nung una, I regret joining dancesports pero at the end wala akong regrets na sumali sa competition na ‘yun kasi naisip ko ‘yung hardworks na ginawa namin and nag-enjoy ako sa performance na ginawa namin since nakita ko ‘yung result ng pinagdaanan namin,” she said.

But such a great performance wouldn’t have been possible without encountering difficulties during training and preparation.

Dela Paz added that they “trained every day for this competition” as they have to juggle loads of homework, miscommunication with partners, and constant self doubt at the same time.

Regardless, dancers from different participating schools did not let anything hinder them from setting the stage on fire, emitting cheers from the audience as they swiftly executed their moves.

After three years of sports activities being halted due to a global crisis, Marikina City resumed this year’s Division Palaro, giving more opportunities for dancers to showcase their charming and energetic moves through participating in Dancesports.

Story by: Jillian Frondozo and Aleck Llamoso

JUNIORS MODERN STANDARD

Marikina Science High School Dancesport Team amassed a gold medal in the Division Palaro 2023.

In the launched Division Palaro 2023 last March 19, 2023 at Malanday Elementary School, Marikina Science High School gracefully showcased their skills in dancing the Modern Standard Discipline, which made them stand out to all delegates earning them an opportunity to represent the City of Marikina at the NCR Palaro 2023.

These are some images captured throughout the competition.

📸 Josh Errol P. Ong & Francis Luis G. Valentin
✍️ Trisha Talha

SECONDARY LATIN AMERICAN DISCIPLINE

Namayagpag ang indak kustura Marikina High School sa Latin American Discipline dahilan ng pagka-sungkit nila ng titulo bilang kampeon sa naganap na Division Palaro 2023, Dance Sport Category sa Malanday Elementary School, Marso 19, 2023.

Sulyapan ang ilan sa mga naging ganap sa nasabing kompetisyon.

📸 Josh Errol P. Ong & Francis Luis G. Valentin
✍️ Trisha Talha

ELEMENTARY MODERN STANDARD

Malanday Elementary School swept away other contenders and gracefully won as the champion on Division Palaro 2023 Modern Standard, Dance Sport Category held at Malanday Elementary School March 19, 2023.

These are some images captured throughout the contest.

📸 Josh Errol P. Ong & Francis Luis G. Valentin
✍️ Trisha Talha

ELEMENTARY LATIN AMERICA DISCIPLINE

Nangka Elementary School has defeated other competitors and aces Latin American Discipline as they earned the champion title on Division Palaro 2023 Dance Sport category held at Malanday Elementary School, March 19, 2023.

These are some images captured throughout the contest.

📸 Josh Errol P. Ong & Francis Luis G. Valentin
✍️ Trisha Talha

"Go after your goals! ⚽"
Awarding of Football Division Palaro 2023 Elementary level

📸: Josh Errol P. Ong & Francis Luis G. Valentin