Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and Chairman Gemma Cruz-Araneta, awards Miss Shirley Halili-Cruz the ‘2010 Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan sa Larangan ng Sayaw,’ for her outstanding achievement in Dance both national and international.

Congratulations to Ms. Shirley Halili-Cruz who was conferred the “Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan sa Larangan ng Sayaw” last June 22. The conferment of the award by the City of Manila was part of the celebration of the 439th Anniversary of “El Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad de Manila” or the City’s Foundation Day. The award is in recognition of Filipino artists who have dedicated their talents, skills and energy to promote their various fields of artistic endeavor and give honor to the country.

Ms. Halili-Cruz is the founder and artistic director of the world-class ballet school bearing her name, and which has been awarded as the “Most Outstanding Ballet School in Asia” since 2000. She has developed a very high standard of excellence in her school, which allows her dancers to excel in international competitions and festivals. As a choreographer and dance teacher par excellence, she has trained and honed thousands of talents. She personally trained her dancers to be ambassadors of goodwill as they successfully represented the Philippines having won several gold and first prizes in the different dance competitions and festivals held in Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Los Angeles and New York, USA.

Ms. Halili-Cruz authored a 12-level classical ballet syllabus which is appropriate to the Filipino physique and innate talent. The ballet education she provides to her students aims not only to make them good ballerinas and dance artists but develop their total personality as well.

Admired and respected for her simplicity and humility, Shirley’s quiet work and achievements were not left unnoticed by researchers and award-giving bodies. To date, she has received more than 300 prestigious national and international awards, recognition and citations in Dance, Arts and Culture, academics and leadership. Just recently, she was awarded “Gawad Parangal” as Outstanding Citizen of Quezon City in Arts and Culture; “Gawad Dangal ng Lipi sa Sining at Kultura” as the Outstanding Citizen of Bulacan in Arts and Culture; Global Excellence Award in China; and in Thailand, she was awarded as one of the Ten Outstanding Dance Educators of Asia.

Ms. Halili-Cruz is also the head of the National Committee on Dance of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. She is a prime mover of several national and international dance events, like Dance Xchange, the only Philippine international dance festival and workshop, which has brought numerous dance companies to the country.

Her latest award is another affirmation of Ms. Halili-Cruz’s significant contribution in the development and promotion of arts in general and dance in particular. Indeed, she is a woman of substance and a pride of the Philippines.

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NCAA 86th season opens at Big Dome

NCAA Season 86 opens today at the Araneta Coliseum with San Sebastian College-Recoletos Manila as host.

The NCAA 86th Season carries the theme “Youth Speaks @ 86: Empowerment. Leadership. Nationalism.” Expect a high-tech production set up with star-studded numbers from the country’s hottest teen idols Jay-R, Billy Crawford, Kyla, John Prats, and The Heart of R&B Kris Lawrence. MYX VJ Iya Villania and U92 DJ KC Montero host the show.

Although gates open at 12 noon, eagerly anticipated opening day festivities begin with the San Sebastian College vs. Letran match at 2 p.m., while San Beda takes on Jose Rizal University in Game 2 at 4 p.m.

The National College Athletic Association (NCAA) is the oldest and one of the most prestigious collegiate athletics associations in the Philippines. This year, nine schools are set to outdo each other for championship in basketball, chess, swimming, football, taekwondo, table tennis, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and beach volleyball.

The participating schools are Arellano University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, College of St. Benilde, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Jose Rizal University, Mapua Institute of Technology, San Beda College, University of Perpetual Help System – DALTA and San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Manila.

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PMTC presents recital concert

The People’s Music Training Center (PMTC) will present its promising students in a recital dubbed “The Main Event” today (June 26) at 2 p.m. at SM Fairview Activity Center.

The concert will be directed by Rene Reyes, founder and president of PMTC. The panel of judges is composed by Mon del Rosario, Snaffu Rigor and Tito Cayamanda, while showbiz writer Veronica Samio will judge for Best in Costume.

Participating students who trained under the Voice Development Course (Level 1) are Maria Reima Cuyno, Zharmaine Antenor, Joana Faye Clavecilla, Marc Heron Antenor, Irene Lari Isabelle Navarro, Regine Mae dela Pena, Rafael Richard Dar, Ireneo Vincent Navarro, Febe Alimodian and Jakerson Bermudo.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on June 26 go to former Sen. Orly Mercado, former QC Mayor Mel Mathay, award-winning actress Gina Alajar, Mrs. Reby Encinas, Bing Puyat, Ashley Saavedra Samson, Tata T. Trino, Alizabeth Cristobal, Luke Mijares, Angelo Serrano, Joy Parayno, Malaya entertainment editor Gie Trillana, Brent Peter R. Guiao, Julio Pacheco of Star Magic, MB’s Nora Calalang and Daniel Llanto, VP for Creative and Editorial Services of MRR Associates. Happy wedding anniversary to Zoilo and Briscine Zembrano.