Embedded Files
Dominating the Dancefloor
Dominating the Dancefloor
FABINHS Dancefloor veterans Antonio Sacueza, Franchesca Pelagio, Paul Jr. Tamayo and Denise Marynouf Masongsong once again dominated the City-Wide Dancesport competitions as they completed a clean sweep of gold medals in the Standard and Latin categories.
Sacueza and Pelagio swept the Latin category, winning six gold medals while Tamayo and Masongsong dominated the standard category, the two pairs amassed 12 gold medals, cementing their dominance in the Stallion League’s coveted dancefloor.
Unbeknownst to many, the two pairs have been sharing the stage since fourth grade. Their dancing history, now spanning 6 years (or almost half of their lives!), traces its roots to Tambo Elementary School.
The years that passed since witnessed a transition of dance coaches, the pandemic, and a change in campuses, though one remained constant: the guidance of Dance Coach and Denise’s father Coach Ben Masongsong.
Coach Ben has been training the four from the get-go, leading eight-hour rehearsals on weekends and assisting Blue Falcons Dancesport Coach April Marasigan and Asst. Coach Jessica Andaya after class hours, two weeks before the Lipa City District Tournament.
“Mas malakas po ang mga competition ngayon, compared last year,” Franchesca said in an interview with Esquadron. “Kaya na-pressure din po kami”, she furthered.
Espelario and Sacueza have represented Lipa City in the 2023 Regional Athletic Assosiation Meet and have reached as far as the regional semi-finals. Despite all their achievements, the pair has remained humble and still has the proverbial butterflies and stage freight.
On the other hand, Tamayo and Masongsong are no strangers to the big stage as they reached the Batangas Provincial Meet during their elementary school days. “Madami po kaming nakilalang kaibigan,” Tamayo and Masongsong reminisce while also eyeing to perform and compete at the higher athletic meets.
Because of their constant successes, the four dancers have been receiving offers from other schools, as they are now known to be forces to reckon with in the Stallion’s League. While the offers are good news and are testament to their young but already winning dancing careers, the two pairs elected to remain focused as they poise themselves to not only participate but win in the upcoming RAAM in Laguna later in April. “Our goal is to reach Palarong Pambansa,” Sacueza remarked.
FABINHS-JHS Alumna Cops Major Award in Miss Lipa Tourism 2023
FABINHS Class of 2018 Alumna Anne Mariz Nario bagged the 1st runner-up award in the recently concluded Miss Lipa Tourism (MLT) organized by the Department of Tourism of Lipa City.
In an interview with Esquadron, the 21-year-old from Tambo, Lipa City tells that she has become definitely thankful and proud of what she has accomplished. "Hindi na ako yung babaeng matangkad at laging naka-slouch", and that she is now realizing the value and power of utmost confidence.
Looking Back
Aside being a consistent honor student in FABINHS, Mariz also represented the school in various speaking and writing competitions. "My teachers allowed me to grow and exposed me to a challenging environment", she recounts.
One of those challenging environments must have been the 2017 FABINHS Intramurals--- her very first entry in pageantry. Though she did not win it all, she remembers that the audience along with the teachers were amazed at how she towers over the other contestants. "I tried it just for fun", and had fun, she did. That fateful moment in 2017 made her work more on her physique and intellect as she is certain that that wouldn't be her last pageant.
Fast forward to 2023 and she finds herself in the biggest, most prestigious beauty pageant in Lipa- The Miss Lipa Tourism Pageant.
"I’m still insecure about certain aspects of myself, "Mariz admits. But through the mentoring of handler and fellow alumnus Mikee Amazona, Mentor Mitch Amazona- Dela Pena, intelligence and pasarela coach Christine Mayor, Make-up artists Vhee Dimailig and Erica Magayon, Mariz had learned to integrate a stronger sense of body positivity, overcame her fears and braved the proverbial stage.
Mariz, like the other contestants, definitely felt butterflies in her stomach come showtime. "Pulling off a smile while your heart is pounding with nervousness is intense, more so that during the final question and answer where critical and artistic thinking is required".
"Luckily", she tells, "it all worked out for me”.
The Batang Fernando also tells Esquadron that her being a working student trained her to be a tougher version of herself as she juggled personas in varying situations.
Mariz was one of the stand-outs in the pageant who had 15 gorgeous and stunning contestants from all over Lipa City.
Currently, Mariz studies Communications at Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa and works as a barista in one of the cafes in the Uptown District.
Now that she is crowned 1st runner-up of MLT, Ann concludes that when someone believes in your triumph, prove them right.
Ann Mariz Nario would like to extend her deepest gratitude to the following people: Mikee Amazona, Mitch Amazona- Dela Pena, Christine Mayor, Vhee Dimailig, Erica Magayon, Kolehiyo ngf Lungsod ng Lipa- Communication Arts Department and Team Amazing.
Photos from:
Ala Eh Lipa Facebook Page
Miss Lipa Tourism Facebook Page
Page updated
Report abuse