Placing Third in the Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) Dance Competition 2024, held on August 21, 2024 in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, marked an impressive feat for Ms. Akaiko Angelus Villanueva, Ms. Nichole Conel, Ms. Gina Mae Garcia, and Mr. Eironn Daye Alfonso, students from the Bachelor of Secondary Education – Major in English and Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHM) at the Polytechnic College of the City of Meycauayan (PCCM) and dancers from Professional Style (P-Style), as they represent the province of Bulacan. P-styles dancers’ experiences in training have been both challenging and enlightening, proving that their perseverance is enough to sustain their passion. Balancing the workload and stress of being a student by day and a dancer by night, they often grapple with time management issues. Their schedule is a tightrope walk between academics, practice sessions, and sideline jobs to earn extra income. The intensity of their new training routine, which deviates from the P-Style techniques they’re accustomed to, has added another layer of difficulty. The fatigue from these back-to-back commitments leaves little room for rest, making their journey even more arduous. Despite the demanding practice for the upcoming competition, the day of the event brings a mix of excitement and anxiety. Knowing that the competition is fierce, the whole team put forth their best effort, determined to make a mark. However, their performance was far from perfect. They recall struggling with some steps, especially since they were performing barefoot, which led to several errors. As they awaited the announcement of the results, doubts and nerves surged. They internally feared that they might not even place, given the noticeable mistakes. To their surprise, when the names of the non-winners were called, team’s name was still in the running. The moment they were announced as the third place winners was nothing short of ecstatic. The unexpected outcome validated their hard work and resilience, proving that their efforts had paid off despite the difficulties and challenges they faced. Their story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of competition and the importance of resilience. In the end, P-style dancer’s journey in PYAP is a powerful reminder that perseverance, hard work, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected can lead to remarkable achievements.

Nina: Rafael G. Andrada, Shander Lee Cordeta