SHCSB dancers off to Bangkok Thursday

MANILA, Philippines -- After the very successful dance concert entitled “Summer Dance Divertissement” held in May at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre at the Resorts World Manila, the multi-awarded Shirley Halili-Cruz School of Ballet dancers are set to leave Thursday for Bangkok, Thailand to represent the country in the 13th Asia Pacific Dance Competition slated on July 22-14.

Prior to this, the dancers underwent rigid examination and evaluation by Australian examiners. The dancers were also busy with numerous performances in malls, schools, and TV shows and outreach workshops in the different regions of the country.

Last month, 160 SHCSB dancers took the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing international examination and Ms. Shirley Halili-Cruz was proud to announce that her dancers hurdled the test with flying colors. They got the highest grades (Honours Plus and With Honors).

With SHCSB’s high standard of ballet education, artistically excellent performances, creative choreographies, it’s no wonder the school has been awarded as the Most Outstanding Ballet School in Asia since 2000 to the present.

This year, “in recognition of the Shirley Halili-Cruz School of Ballet’s outstanding work in the performing arts,” it was chosen once again as the official delegate of the Philippines to the 13th Asia Pacific Dance Competition. Participating in the competition are more than 1,000 dancers from different parts of the world. Last year, SHCSB was the grand champion and first prize winner in the following categories: Classical Ballet, Neoclassical Dance, Lyrical, National, and Contemporary Dance.

The Philippine delegation is led by Artistic Director Ms. Shirley Halili-Cruz and ballet teachers Grace Garalde-Perez and Anna Lissa Tuazon-Balmadrid. Their 93 competitors are Mica Abella, Dianne Acebedo, Sofia Adorable, Gicelle Ambulo, Pa-trice Barin, Julianne Barrios, Gladys Baybayan, Misha Bernas, Princess Brillantes, Leila Caro, Tisha Castro, Frances Casturas, Krisha Chiong, Nicole Chua, Christina Chua, Jackie Chua, Sophia Cruz, Hilary Rose Dalupang, Jianna Dalupang, Jill Dalupang, Jula Davies, Kimberly de Guzman, Maan de Jesus, Rizza del Rosario, Isabel Dinopol, Cacai Ee, Allyson Fajura, Jam Fegarido, Julafer Feliciano, Jill Flores, Bianca Flores, Precious Flores, Princess Francia, Ella Francisco, Allyza Garcia, Gabby Garcia, Kent Garcia, Miggy Guerrero, Jeng Jimenez, Katrina Jose, Mika Kho, Audrey Khong Hun, Angel Lee, Diane Legarda, Bea Leido, Pia Liao, Samantha Lim, Clarisse Lim Mary, Lim, Megan Lim, Patricia Lopez, Angela, Regine Magbitang, Summer Magsino, Lia Mazo, Nica Mendoza, Toni Noel, Toni Ocampo, Ian Ong, Kyla Ong, Mika Ortille, Patricia Padrigpo, Binky Palisoc, Katja Paras, Gabby Paulino, Nicole Paulino, Mhakki Peji-Palm, Biannah Pocopio, Greneth Quinto, Gabby Ragos-Ty, Shayna Ramirez, Bella Refuerzo, Chin Chin Refuerzo, Karizza Reyes, Cheekey Reyes, Ella Rivera, Angela Rostrata, Aira Roque, Maxine Ruiz, Cassey Salapantan, Meg Samson, Leigh Sanolan, Jufette Simon, Keana Sumiler, Joei Tabios, Bianca Tizon, Kharie Tizon, Loise Tong, Janelle Torres, Chloe Torres, Stephanie Umali, Nicolei Warren, Sam and Young Alee.

PAGCOR launches Miss Casino search

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) launched its nationwide search for Miss Casino Filipino 2011.

The pageant is open to all single Filipinas aged 18-25. “They must possess a heart for service apart from beauty, poise and charm, so they can embody the goals of Pagcor and help efforts to improve the lives of Filipinos for the better,” says Pagcor Entertainment Assistant VP Bong Quintana.

The grand winner will receive P300,000 in cash and the chance to choose a charitable institution which will benefit from Pagcor’s in-kind donation. Meantime, the runners-up will be getting cash prizes of P200,000 (1st runner-up), P100,000 (second runner-up), P75,000 (3rd runner-up), and P50,000 (4th runner-up).

The beauty search is the first in the history of Pagcor and will be distinct from other competitions since the pageant requires contestants to adopt and support an advocacy of their choice. All contestants are required to submit a social cause, which Pagcor will support in case they win the Miss Casino Filipino title.

Deadline for submission of entries is on July 29. Qualifying competitions for the Miss Casino Filipino 2011 will be held at the Casino branches in Davao, Cebu, Bacolod, Angeles, Olongapo, Tagaytay, Hyatt, Heritage, Pavilion, and Parañaque from Aug. 1 to 24.

The Grand Pageant Night will be held at Pagcor Grand Theater in Airport Casino Filipino in Parañaque City on Sept. 3.

Interested parties may visit www.pagcor.ph.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Thursday, July 21, go to Ding Mercado, Dr. Nenita Lee-Tan, Patrick Nolasco, Candy Mendoza, Jhi Diola Gopez, Dr. Carrie R. Legaspi, Manniz Igrobay and Eric John Salut of ABS-CBN… Happy wedding anniversary to Rene and Judy Manuel…