The National Committee on Dance of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts organized the Sayaw Pinoy: The First NCCA National Dance Competition as part of its efforts to promote dance in its various forms – folkdance, ballet/neo-classical, modern/contemporary, hip-hop and ballroom. This event aims to promote artistic excellence in the different dance disciplines in the spirit of friendly competition.

After the very successful projects of the NCCA-National Committee on Dance under the leadership of Shirley Halili-Cruz, the Dance Xchange: The First International Dance Workshop and Festival and Sayaw Pinoy: The Touring Dance Festival, the NCD will again endeavor into a new dimension, that of a dance competition. These activities are intended to make the dance sector in the country alive and dynamic. These projects also provide opportunities for young and aspiring dancers and dance organizations to showcase their talents and realize their dream to perform at the Cultural Center of the Philippine. This reflects the concern and direction of the NCCA Dance Committee – to be more inclusive of the different sectors rather than focus only on certain groupings.

The Sayaw Pinoy: The First NCCA National Dance Competition will be a tool to identify potential dancers and groups so that the NCCA can have a good pool of the best dance groups in folkdance, ballet/neo-classical, contemporary, ballroom and hip-hop. The competition emphasizes team work, thus, all categories are group dances. The competition will also challenge the choreographers, dance directors and dancers to aim for artistic excellence, that the talents in each of the different groups may be given an opportunity to flourish.

Ms. Halili-Cruz is no stranger to competitions, as participation and doing well in competitions had become a yardstick to excellence and a fruit of hard work, dedication, commitment and discipline. The Philippines had always been participating in international competitions and festivals, however, Ms. Halili-Cruz believes that it is high time the country initiates programs and activities that can be destination for international dance companies.

Anchored on this belief, the NCCA-National Committee on Dance held the Sayaw Pinoy: The First NCCA National Dance Competition last Dec. 10 and 11 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. With just little time allotted for the call for participants, the National Committee on Dance under the strong leadership of Ms. Shirley Halili-Cruz has gathered about 104 entries for the different dance categories. The other members of the Organizing Team are Larry Gabao, Franco Velas, Junjet Primor, Noel Garovillo, Rodel Fronda, Peter de Vera, Pet Mosquito, Chel Katigbak, Annie Divinagracia-Sartorio, Josie Flores, and Virgie Llido.

Sayaw Pinoy: The First NCCA National Dance Competition is made possible with the strong support of Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, NCCA-Executive Director and the NCCA Secretariat namely: Marichu Tellano, Ferdie Isleta, Renee Talavera, Cecile Nisnisan, Alvin Soniega, Henrietta Kangleon, Elizabeth Cabaya, Devris Dearo, Kath Anuta, Vanessa Marques, Niña Dueñas, April Fabon, Manuel Gerry Salvador, Cathy Sebastian, Niño Selibio, Esmarie Inda, Darius Nicolas, Gino Ramirez and Corina Olazo.

The following are the entries for the Sayaw Pinoy: The First NCCA National Dance Competition: South Cotabato Performing Arts Ensemble, Kislap Sining Dance Troupe, La Filipina National High School Dance Company, Lipa Dance Collective/Lipa Integrated Performing Arts, Colegio de San Juan de Letran Filipiniana Dance Company, Leyte Dance Theater, The Sisters of Mary Girlstown Dance Troupe, Aloysian Dancers, Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Ensemble, BULSU Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Troupe, Sanghiyas Pangkat Mananayaw, University of Perpetual Help-Sanlahi Pangkat Mananayaw, CVSU Pandayang Sining Cultural Dance, Carmona Performing Arts Group, Alah Eh Cultural Dance Troupe, Teatro Rizalia, La Salle Filipiniana Dance Company, Marikina Dance Guild, UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe, CLSU Gintong Ani Dance Troupe, Capitol University Dance Troupe, Nueva Vizcaya State University Dance Troupe, Tarlac College of Agriculture Performing Guild, NVSU Voices and Graces Cultural Federation, CPC Sarayawan Dance Company, USM B’ Dadali Dance Troupe, De Oro Ballet Ensemble, Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company, Ballet Manila, Adamson University Dance Troupe, Quezon City Ballet, Gigi Felix Velarde Ballet Workshop, Me’dal Kolon Dance & Theater Ensemble, Savannah Moon, Dollar Dance Troupe, RTU Dance Sport Society, Hyphenation, Lipa Dance Collective/Lipa Integrated Performing Arts, Kahayag Community Dance and Theater Company, Kalingaw Ang Teatro Hiligaynon, Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company, VMA Poseidon Dance Theater, Tanghalang Hulyo Beinte Tres ink. Dance Collective, The IT Dance Troupe, Leyte Dance Theater, Los Baños National H.S. Pitik at Galaw Dance Troupe, Sanghiyas Pangkat Mananayaw, CPC Sarayawan Dance Company, Lyceum Dance Troup, Adamson University Dance Troupe, QCB Contemporary, Dance Philippines Incorporated, Carmona Performing Arts Group (CPAG), La Salle Dance Company, Capitol University Dance Troupe, Saint Louis University Dance Troupe, Newguyz, Obra Performing Artists of Quezon City, Tanghalang Pascual Poblete, Gigi Felix Velarde Ballet Workshop, FEU Dance Company, Power of Student Hoppers, Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company, Double “J” Fullforce, Crew Mechanix, Zygomatic Cr3w, Aloysian Dancers, Extreme Squad, Iskrukus Phase Crew, Terpsichore, UP Manila Indayog Dance Varsity, TIP Talents Guild, University of the Cordilleras Dance Squad, La Salle Dance Company Street, Nazty Boys Dance Crew, Adamson University PEP Squad, X-Pointer Movers, Done Deal Dance Crew, Tarlac College of Agriculture Performing Guild, Teatro Rizalia, F7 Crew, S.I.K.A.T Dance repertory, F-Side, UP StreetDance Club, Lucid Dance Troupe, BDA Dance Crew, Exclusive Boyz, ALIGMA Dance Troupe, Next To Innocence (N2I), CLSU Gintong Ani Dance Troupe, New System Dance Crew, Capitol University Dance Troupe, HC Dance Crew, and Real Attraction.