As promised, here are more pictures of the 2011 Philippine StarBall: Dance Festival of Champions. I attended the press conference held the previous night. This celebration was held last February 12, 2011 at the Makati Shangri La Hotel. From the looks of it, it was a night full of fervor and amusement.
[Press Kit]
Where can you watch the top dancers and champions of 6 different styles of dance in one night? Where will you find dancing at its best? People are talking about an event that’s in the works and will soon be brought to our country.
On Feb. 12, 2011, The Philippine StarBall will have a Dance Festival of Champions at the prestigious Makati Shangri-la Hotel. Still at the helm of production and organization is Michaela “Pinky” Puno, the lady responsible for bringing in top international ballroom dancers during the last 3 years. She herself is a Pro-Am competitor in the US. Her vision to expose the Filipinos to the best in the world remains firm.
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| Ricardo Cocchi and Yulia Zagoruychenko |
In lieu of a competition, The Philippine StarBall format will be exciting and new, the first of its kind in Manila, the first of its kind in Asia … in fact of the entire world! It will feature Show Dances from top couples of 6 different styles of dance – International Latin, International Standard, American Smooth, American Rhythm, Theatre Arts, and the current rage in Manila- Argentine Tango.
Yulia Zagoruychenko and Riccardo Cocchi, who recently took the world title and became the champion of the WDC competition in Germany will honor Manila with their presence as they rumba, paso doble, and chacha their way into the hearts of the crowd once more with their fabulous Show Dances. Joining them in more Latin dances will be #1 in Blackpool (considered the Olympics of ballroom dancing) Michael Malitowski and Joanna Leunis from Poland, #1 from Germany Franco Formica and Oksana Lebedew, #1 from Russia Sergey Surkov and Melia.
Doing Show Dances of waltz, tango, foxtrot, and quick step will be Blackpool champions Arunas Bizokas and Katusha Demidova and #1 from Italy Mirko Gozzoli and Edita Daniute.
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| Hannah Kartunen and Victor da Silva |
New styles of dances will also be introduced from champions in their respective field. You will be enthralled by riveting but seamless lifts from Hanna Kartunen and Victor da Silva in Theatre Arts, the mambo, swing, and bolero of Jose de Camps and Johanna Zacharewicz for American Rhythm, and the Fred Astaire/Ginger Rodgers style of dancing from Mikhail Zarinov and Galina Detkina for American Smooth.
Also for the first time at The Philippine StarBall is the addition of 2 of the very best couples from Buenos Aires performing passionate Argentine Tango dances. They are Carolina Zokalski with Diego di Falco, Tony Award nominees for best choreography and performers of Forever Tango; and Miriam Larici with Leonardo Barrionuevo, winners of NBC’s new series “Superstars of Dance” and featured performers and choreographers of “So You Think You Can Dance.”
In addition to this dazzling event, there will be a Dance Congress during the daytime -- 6 lectures given by one expert from each style. Admission to this is limited.
For additional information and tickets, please contact Marissa at 812 8464. Beneficiary for this show is KYTHE, helping children with cancer.
--- More photos from the event:
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| Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo |
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| Joanna Leunis and Michael Malitowski |
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| Yulia Zagoruychenko and Ricardo Cocchi |
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| Arunas Bizokas and Katusha Demidova |
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| Michael Malitowski and Joanna Leunis |
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| Gretchen Cojuangco, Pinky Puno, Cynthia Carrion, Giging Garcia, Maribel Dario, Carol Garcia |
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| Gretchen Cojuangco, Vicky Zubiri, Marvi Yulo Cojungco, Giging Garcia, Coni Araneta |
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| Anne Puno in vintage Rajo Laurel, Charilu Puno Dizon in her own design |
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| Pinky Puno poses with sister Sally M. Finley, and Mother Aurora Mendoza |
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| Vicky Zubiri in Tadashi, Pinky Puno in Oliver Tolentino, Linda Lagdameo |
