By Mikee Natinga Norico
Congratulations CPU Golden Lions athletes Ma. Victoria D. Cruz and Jemuel Andrei D. Villanueva for winning silver medals in the Under 21 Latin and Youth A Latin categories at the Manila Open DanceSport Competition 2026 held in Quezon City.
Central Philippine University (CPU) Golden Lions athletes Ma. Victoria D. Cruz and Jemuel Andrei D. Villanueva, both Grade 12 students, showcased their excellence in DanceSport after earning silver medals in the Under 21 Latin Category and the Youth A Latin Category during the Manila Open DanceSport Competition 2026 held on July 25–26, 2026 at the MRB Compound on Pilot Drive, Quezon City.
Coached by January Love A. Desamero and trained by Mr. Nero Amorin, the CPU tandem competed against numerous schools, teams, and athletes from across the country in one of the nation’s premier annual DanceSport competitions.
Reflecting on the experience, Villanueva described the competition as one of the most memorable events of their athletic journey, citing the high level of talent and competitiveness among participating teams.
“The Manila Open DanceSport Competition 2026 was one of the most memorable competitions we have experienced. It brought together talented dancers from different schools and teams across the country. The level of competition was very high because every team showed great skill, discipline, and passion. Competing against such strong athletes challenged us to perform our very best and inspired us to keep improving,” he said.
Cruz shared that the Manila Open DanceSport Competition has become a familiar and meaningful event in her DanceSport career, recalling that she had also participated in the competition during the pandemic through its online format.
To prepare for the national competition, both athletes underwent rigorous daily training while balancing their academic responsibilities. Villanueva said their preparations involved long hours of refining routines, improving technique, building endurance, and strengthening teamwork, while remaining mentally prepared for the challenges of competition.
Cruz added that consistent training has always been part of their routine, regardless of whether competitions are approaching. She explained that their sessions include warm-ups, repeated run-throughs, routine adjustments, and staying updated with current music trends in DanceSport. She emphasized that behind every two- to three-minute performance are countless hours of dedication, sacrifice, and passion for the sport.
According to trainer Mr. Nero Amorin, the pair’s achievement was the product of discipline, consistency, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement.
“Earning silver medals in both the Under 21 Latin and Youth A Latin categories was the result of far more than talent alone,” Amorin said. “Their success was built on discipline, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to improvement. They approached every training session with determination, embraced constructive criticism, and never settled for being average.”
He added that their confidence on the competition floor, combined with technical excellence, artistry, humility, respect, and sportsmanship, distinguished them as exceptional athletes.
Coach January Love A. Desamero encouraged aspiring CPU DanceSport athletes to pursue their passion while remaining committed to their studies.
“If you have a passion for DanceSport, pursue it wholeheartedly. At the same time, learn how to manage your time wisely. Balancing academics and training may be challenging, but with discipline, dedication, and proper time management, you can succeed both in your studies and in the sport you love,” she said.
The achievements of Cruz and Villanueva further highlight the commitment of the CPU Golden Lions to excellence in both academics and athletics, bringing pride to the University through their outstanding performance on the national DanceSport stage.