THE Halili-Cruz School of Ballet (HCSB) brought pride to the country being the grand slam winner in the 13th Asia Pacific Dance Competition held at the Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand, held from July 22 to 24, 2011.

The HCSB has been reaping honors in different international festivals and competitions. At the 13th Asia Pacific Dance Competition, which the ballet school participates in for the past 10 years, they won most of the major prizes in the different categories. More than 800 dancers from 34 professional dance companies and dance schools from the Asia Pacific region participated in the competition.

HCSB won two aggregate trophies, eight perpetual trophies, 36 gold trophies, 32 silver trophies, 20 bronze trophies and 64 medals in the categories they participated in: Classical Ballet, Neo-Classical, Demi Character, Modern, National and Lyrical.

The artistic team, led by artistic director Shirley Halili-Cruz with ballet teachers and choreographers Grace Garalde-Perez, Anna Tuazon-Balmadrid and Anna Kathrina Halili Cruz, trained and brought the 93 dancers, who won in the competition.

The Australian adjudicator commented: “These Filipino ballet dancers are well-trained and all of them performed with excellence—the technique is very strong, the concepts and choreographies are very creative, the costumes are well designed, appropriate and elegant, the music are well selected, the dancers are graceful and very confident and they all love to dance. They truly deserve all the awards they won. They are wonderful to watch. The Artistic Director and the teachers have done their job extremely well.”

The Philippine ambassador to Thailand, Linglingay Lacanlale sent her congratulatory note, saying that the success of the Halili Cruz School of Ballet in the competition is “an affirmation of the hard work, dedication and years of experience in participating in different international dance competitions and festivals.” Following this, the ambassador endorsed the participation of the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet in the 13th International Festival of Dance and Music on September 9 in Bangkok.

The winners in the 13th Asia Pacific Dance Competition includes Gabby Quinto, Ma. Regina Magbitang, Gladys Baybayan, Ma. Antoinette de Guzman, Julafer Fegarido, Kenny Kent Garcia and Jufette Sanolan in the Open/Professional Category; Rizza Bianca de Jesus, Julia Camille Mazo, ,Aira Louise Rostrata , Misha Bernas and Ian Ocampo in the 18 and Under/Semi-Professional Category; Princess Brillantes, Jeng Guerrero, Mhakki Paulino, Katja Palisoc, Biannah Peji-Palm, Audrey Kho, Princess Flores, Bella Ramirez, Mica Abela, Dianne Acebedo, Sofia Adorable, Gicelle Ambulo, Nicole Chiong, Jill Dalupang Jam Fajura, Precious Flores, Katrina Jimenez, Diane Lee, Patricia Lim, Patricia Ortile, Greneth Pocopio, Cheekey Reyes, Cassey Ruiz, Meg Salapantan, Chloe Torres, Stephanie Torres, Sam Warren and Nicolei Umali in the 15 and Under/Amateur Category; Alee Young, Jackie Chua, Toni Noel, Gabrielle Paras, Nicole Paredes, Shayna Ragos-Ty, Mika Ong, Patrice Barin, Leila Caro, Tisha Caro, Frances Castro, Krisha Castueras, Christina Chua, Sophia Chua, Jula Dalupang, Jianna Dalupang, Kimberly Davies, Isabel del Rosario, Allyson Ee, Allyza Francisco, Mika Jose, Angelica Khong Hun, Bea Legarda, Pia Leido, Samantha Liao, Clarisse Lim, Mary Lim, Angela Lopez, Summer Magsino, Binky Padrigo, Chin Chin Refuerzo, Karizza Refuerzo, Ella Reyes, Angela Rivera, Maxine Roque, Bianca Tabios, Loise Tizon, Janelle Tong, Keana Simon and Joei Sumiller in the 12 and Under Category; and Leigh Samson, Julianne Barrios, Miggy Garcia, Nica Mendoza, Cacai Dinopol, Bianca Flores, Kyla Ong, Kharie Tizon, Jill Feliciano, Hilary Rose, Ella Francia, Gabby Garcia and Megan Lim in the 9 and Under Category.

The Shirley Halili-Cruz School of Ballet is the official representative of the Philippines to the Asia Arts Festival in Chongqing and Shanghai, China, in October and in England in November.   

The Shirley Halili Cruz School of Ballet is located at 1227 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City with telephone numbers 372-4607 and 413-0804. Branches are in St. Pedro Poveda College, St. Mary’s College, School of St. Anthony, Alabang Country Club and Miriam College.