That’s because judging from the overflow of energy and teeming talent of the participants alone, the tilt is well on its way of becoming the standard from which all other streetdance dance contests in the country will be measured from now on. Add to that the overwhelming prizes up for grabs, it has definitely upped the ante!

"We are very glad that the Skechers Streetdance Battle received an overwhelming support from the student dancers. This early, we can foresee that this is going to be an intense and exciting streetdance showdown all the way to the final battle," the Skechers management said in an official statement.

With Wave 89.1’s Anne and Ry hosting, the kickoff party had everyone on their feet—either dancing or cheering their favorite participants—from start to finish. Making the event even livelier was the energetic Philippine National hiphop team, a hip-hop group who has been competing in international dance contests. They wowed the crowd with their "Lose Control" by Missy Eliot number. Then there was R&B and hip-hop group 7 Shots of Wisdom who furthered the party vibe.

But what really brought the house down was the Freestyle Showdown that featured the top dancers of the participating schools. Each had a minute to impress the judges with their moves. Raul Joseph Payumo of University of the East (UE) and Agnes Marie de Guzman of Miriam College slew the competition with their eye-popping freestyle dance moves.

Aside from the amazing performances, the audience was treated to lots of freebies at the registration booth during the launch party.

Skechers Streetdance Battle is the biggest streetdance competition in the country by far. Fifty teams have officially signed up from high schools and colleges in the region, with the grand winners not just earning bragging rights as the ultimate champs, but the chance to be seen in the final battle telecast on JackTV and receive a whooping P100,000 in cash!

The competition is in cooperation with by JackTV and the Manila Bulletin and is also sponsored by Growers, Fuji Films, Candy, Seventeen, yehey.com, Jam 88.3, Magic 89.9, Wave 89.1, and SM Supermalls. It is organized by Brainbox.

The Skechers Streetdance Battle eliminations kicked off on October 8 at SM Southmall with succeeding eliminations in SM Manila (Oct. 15), SM San Lazaro (Oct. 16), and SM Megamall (Oct. 23 & 29). The highly anticipated finals will be on December 3 at the World Trade Center.

Participating high schools include South Merville, School of St. Anthony, Manila Cathedral School, St. Benedict Alabang, CSR Manila, Southville International School and Colleges, St. Paul Pasig, San Mateo High School, De La Salle Zobel, Holy Child Catholic School, Arellano University, Scared Heart Academy, Hope Christian High School, Miriam College, Espiritu Santo Catholic School, Roosevelt College, SEED Montessori, DLSU Antipolo, St. Mary’s College, Colegio de San Agustin, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Lourdes School of Mandaluyong, Quiapo Parochial School, Colegio de Sta. Rosa Makati, Xavier School, and San Beda.

Participating colleges include Miriam College, Ateneo de Manila University, the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Lyceum Manila, University of Santo Tomas, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Trinity College, University of the Philippines Manila, University of the East, University of the Philippines Diliman, La Consolacion College, Sienna College Taytay, STI Makati, Far Eastern University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Mapua Institute of Technology Manila, Mapua Institute of Technology Makati, De Los Santos College, San Sebastian College, New Era University, University of Makati , University of Asia and the Pacific, University of Perpetual Help, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

Skechers Footwear is available in leading department stores and specialty shops all over the country while its timepiece brand, Skechers Time, is offered in all Fusion Concept Shops and at SM Department Store branches in Megamall, Manila, Makati, Southmall, Pampanga, Harrison, Sta. Mesa, North EDSA, and Dasmarinas.