The ultimate battle is on. The Skechers Streetdance Battle is back for its 7th year with more high school and college dance crews, from all over the Philippines, risking it all for a shot at streetdance supremacy.
The first Skechers Streetdance Battle molded the Philippines’ streetdance scene. Seven years later, the Skechers Streetdance Battle—the biggest, toughest and hottest streetdance battle—just kept getting better.
Hours before the Skechers Streetdance Battle 7 kick-off party started, streetdance enthusiasts and participants were already milling around the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. Even the pouring rain was unable to suppress the intensity of the start of this year’s Streetdance Battle. Three spots for the Final Battle were ready for the taking.
Fans, schoolmates and friends of participating schools’ showed their support by posing at their respective school banners. Unity, school spirit, and the chance to win big bucks are all thrown into the mix as Skechers is offering Php10,000 to the school with the best mob photo.
These “mobs” also get to participate some more for their beloved crews with the addition the Skechers Streetdance Battle 7 Online Voting Component. The Online Voting will decide this year’s People’s Choice winner. In order to vote, visit www.juice.ph/skechersstreetdance
DJ Flave, Prince Paltu-Ob, and Emcee Noah officiated the first ever Skechers One-on-One Battle Pit–a head-to-head tournament-style dance off for aspiring streetdancers. The winner bagged some serious bragging rights along with a limited edition Skechers Streetdance Battle 7 shirt and P2,000 pesos after besting around 50 combatants.
After a little break (and some safety precautions to ensure that the equipment are nice and dry), everyone in the crowd got to learn the Skechers Streetdance Signature Wave Dance under the tutelage of Prince. It was definitely not your run-off-the-mill mass demonstration. This time around the entire crowd did more than just watch the moves, they got to bring out their dance flair and rock the house down. Check out Youtube or Facebook so you too can groove to the Skechers Streetdance Signature Move.
Excitement was at an all-time high after learning the Skechers Signature Wave Dance and the crowd was just settling on their seats when the Philippine All Stars took the stage. They opened the first elimination leg with an electrifying number that raised the bar and set a good pace for the rest of the program.
This year’s hosting duties rested on the shoulders of Skechers Streetdance Battle veteran Sam YG accompanied by first-timer DJ Show Suzuki. Together, the two announced the 89 crews battling for dance supremacy this year, with each crew name getting much-deserved applause and cheer.
Sam and Show also attempted to get Mr. Eugene Saw, Vice President of SM Department Store’s Footwear Department, to show off some of his moves on stage. Mr. Saw opted for his official announcement of this year’s promo where fans get a chance to buy Skechers Streetdance Battle Year 7 Final Battle tickets ahead of everyone else. A minimum purchase of 2,500-pesos worth of Skechers Footwear in SM Department Stores and Skechers Concept Stores from September 15-30 entitles customers to buy in advance a maximum of two (2) Skechers Streetdance Battle Year 7 Final Battle tickets by presenting the receipt of purchase any time during the pre-selling period of October 1 – 16, 2011 at participating SM Ticketnet outlets.
Customers with an SM Advantage card, Prestige Card or BDO Rewards Card also get a 20% discount on the pre-selling Final Battle ticket prices when they present an their cards at participating SM Ticketnet outlets: SM Bacoor, SM Calamba, SM Cubao, SM Dasmarinas, SM Fairview, SM Makati, SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM Marikina, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Pampanga, SM San Lazaro, SM Southmall, SM Sta. Mesa, and SM Sta. Rosa.
And then the battle was on.
Twelve of the best dance crews in the country showed the crowd their dance prowess with some heart-stopping moves. Of the twelve, three rose to the spotlight and grabbed the first slots for the Final Battle and a chance for ultimate dance supremacy. There was a mixture of anxiety, excitement and large doses of cheering and screaming before the leg’s finalists were announced. The tension was enough that even the rain held its peace. Deafening cheers erupted when the three spots for the Final Battle were awarded to OC Performing Arts of Olivarez College, Wyre Underground of UPLB of UP Los Banos, and Indayog Dance Varsity of UP Manila.
This year, Skechers continues to aim the spotlight not only on the dance routines and death-defying stunts but also to the Streetdancers’ unique fashion statement. Every participating crew sent two representatives on stage to strut their wares in what can only be called a fusion of dancing and modeling. The audience was given a visual treat minus the breathtaking moves as the fashionistas danced the ramp in their hottest streetwear and the latest Skechers footwear. Streetstylers Mikhael Paulo Montemayor of Trace College Los Baños and Asnair Llegdo of Our Lady of Fatima Quezon City are going to the Final Battle to dance the ramps and an opportunity to be featured in Skechers-initiated media efforts, including a feature in Meg Magazine.
Like the battles of years back, this year continues the tradition of the Skechers Freestyle Showdown. Two representatives from each crew took the stage again for some head-to-head dance off action. Emotions and attitudes ran high as they flaunted their groove in freestyle and risked life and limb with their acrobatic maneuvers. Wyre Underground of UPLB got themselves some extra bragging rights as their representatives reigned supreme in the Freestyle Showdown.
Throughout the competition, renowned dancers and choreographers will be responsible in choosing this year’s ultimate battle champions for the high school and college categories. Members of the esteemed panel of judges are the following: Prince who not only taught the Skechers Signature Wave Dance to the Kick-off crowd but is also a former member of the Philippine All-Stars, owner/director of Brewing Point Dance Studio and winner of the 1-on-1 Popping Category of the 2011 Illest Cypher in Singapore; Jon Supan, dance choreographer and founding member of the Maneouvers; Kenjohns Serrano a founding member and former co-choreographer of the Philippine All-Stars, recently he has formed a new dance crew called the Rockstars and is working on a hiphop album; Leal Marie Diaz, Artisitic Director and founding member of the Philippine All-Stars; and popular TV Personality Jhong Hilario, best known in dance for his stint as a member of the Streetboys and for training in gymnastics for his signature jumps and stunts. Hailed as dance icons by the participants and the crowd, Jhong represented for the judges on stage with a little “sample” for everyone’s entertainment. Lucky spectators even got to go home some Jhong memorabilia.
Catch the next elimination legs at SM Megamall on September 24 and 25 and at SM North EDSA on October 2, 8 and 9. History will be made again at the Araneta Coliseum on November 12 for the Final Battle.
Skechers Streetdance Battle – Year 7 is made possible by Skechers, Skechers Fitness and Skechers Time, in cooperation with ETC, official and exclusive female magazine partner Meg Magazine, media partners Clavel Sneaker Magazine, Magic 89.9, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, and Juice.ph. Official event venues are Araneta Coliseum and SM Supermalls with special thanks to SM Department Stores, and is conceptualized and organized by Brainbox.
For more information on the Skechers Streetdance Battle 7, visit www.skechers.com.ph or check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/skechersstreetdancebattle.
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