The First 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 Qualifier in Davao Brings the Dance Floor to Life | #BenchPaylaBlog

 

Photo Provided by Red Bull

MANILA, Philippines — At the Red Bull Dance Your Style Qualifiers in Davao, the competition was fierce. The audience, who had the final say in who won the competition, was charmed by the top dancers from throughout the region who gave their all.

Red Bull Dance Your Style is a distinctive, worldwide one-on-one street dance competition that highlights each dancer's uniqueness and inventiveness while honoring the variety of their dance forms. In contrast to other dance competitions, Red Bull Dance Your Style pushes competitors to demonstrate their skill at improvisation and freestyle dancing to unexpected music.

Red Bull Dance Your Style expanded its search for the nation's best dancers to Mindanao for its third year in the Philippines. The first-ever Davao qualifications took place at Club Echelon in Davao City on June 29, marking the culmination of this.

Photo Provided by Red Bull

REPETER (Peter Nugas III), MJ (MJ Mejos), MSTR PIECE (Regie Harris Lavestre), and R3DMAN (Edrian Alcaria) were among the sixteen dancers from the area who wowed the crowd with their amazing routines and inventiveness as they made their way to the Top 4. R3DMAN ended up winning the prize. He was crowned after his extraordinary skill and distinct flair astounded the audience. As first and second-place winners, respectively, R3DMAN and MSTR PIECE guaranteed themselves a seat in the National Finals. 

“It’s very overwhelming,” said R3DMAN. “I didn’t know what to feel. Earlier, when the champion was called, I was dazed. It felt like a dream for me.”

R3DMAN admitted he was not fully prepared for the competition as he had limited time to get ready. “The preparation was really quick; I only had two days to prepare because of school and work.” He also shared that he rarely participated in dance battles, preferring to choreograph rather than perform. “This is actually my fourth battle, which is why I still consider myself a rookie,” he added. “What I did was believe in myself and enjoy the moment.”

 

His win is not the end as he gears up for the next round of the competition. R3DMAN shared that one of the things he wants to work on is his endurance. “The preparation will be intense. I feel like I’m going to battle with myself as well for consistency, which is what I really need to work on.”

 

Present at the event was dance consultant Lema Diaz of the Philippine All-Stars. “I’ve been coming to Davao since 2006 to 2008, I know how great the dance artists are in Davao and Mindanao,” she remarked. “As a dance consultant, we make sure that we visit Davao or any place in Mindanao to find the best representative for the Philippines in the World Finals in Mumbai.”

Photo Provided by Red Bull

Diaz claimed that R3DMAN’s performance throughout the competition was truly one of the highlights of the Davao qualifier. “Seeing him live, seeing him go through rounds, just the mastery of his own style is there,” said Diaz. “He can put his own personality, the ease of listening to the music, and the conversation he has with the audience and opponent.”

 

She added, “He’s really entertaining to watch, which is why I’m excited for Manila to witness him, for the whole Philippines to witness him, to have an exchange with the other dancers, because it’s going to be inspiring.”

 

As the Davao qualifier wraps up, the excitement builds for the next round of qualifiers happening in Cebu on July 13 at APEX Super Club. Diaz conveyed her enthusiasm for the upcoming rounds, saying, “(Dancers) elevate in a week, two weeks, three, and four weeks. What more in a year?” She added, “That’s why I’m so excited to see how high the level has become and how many people are coming because we’re growing.” Diaz also expressed her eagerness to see both new faces and familiar ones returning to compete on the dance floor.

Photo Provided by Red Bull

Along with Diaz, fans of the competition are eagerly awaiting more incredible performances and unforgettable moments as dancers from across the Philippines vie for their chance to shine at the world stage.

 

Don’t miss a beat! Stay tuned for the next round of qualifiers and be sure to catch the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines National Finals on September 7. This is an event you truly won’t want to miss! Follow the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines journey to the World Finals in India on November 9, 2024. 

Thanks for reading and see you in the next one!
-BENCH