Another epic dance battle took place at the Red Bull Dance Your Style Manila Qualifiers, held last July 27 at Octopus in Makati. The intense competition showcased Luzon's top dance talents. With the conclusion of the series of qualifiers, the country eagerly 

Photo Provided by Red Bull

awaits the grand showdown where finalists will battle it out for the coveted title and the chance to represent Philippines in the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals. 

The unique global street dance competition swept the nation with the regional qualifiers, challenging dancers from Cebu, Davao, and Manila to show off their talent as they freestyle to a random selection of songs. Each city hosted fierce battles, with dancers from across the country pushing their limits and captivating audiences with their unique styles and high-energy performances. Each of them were vying for a spot in the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals. 

Manila witnessed an exceptional level of competition. The competition concluded with an unforgettable performance by Klockwise (Kenneth Martinez), who emerged victorious with his flawless moves and undeniable charisma. Reflecting on his Red Bull Dance Your Style journey, Klockwise said, “I’ve only (followed) Red Bull Dance Your Style via social media, then when it came to the Philippines, I went over to watch it live (and) the (following) year as well. When I was in the audience, I had a vision of myself performing on stage. That’s when I made it my goal that one day I would dance, perform, and show my skills.” 

“It’s super unexpected,” Klockwise said of his win. “I just wanted to enjoy, to show what I enjoy doing.” He shared that his preparation for the qualifiers involved listening to a lot of music and freestyling to it. He also said he will do much of the same leading up to the National Finals. “I’ll prepare highlights and ground moves, create new patterns of my locking, and of course, listen to new music.”

Kid Magnus (Flourence Lavesores) who won first runner up, shared that the event felt less like a competition. He said, “I really just enjoyed it. The crowd was so energetic and happy, which made me feel that I was just dancing, enjoying the music, dancing to the beat. I was a bit pressured because (my fellow) competitors (are) well known, but all of them were very nice.”

Tatai, a Japanese dancer who made it to the top 4, expressed her joy and enthusiasm at being able to join the competition. “It’s about letting your mind go crazy, expressing your love for dance, and enjoying music,” said Tatai about her experience. “I want to practice more, perfect my favorite dance, and give it my all on the next stage.”

Klockwise, along with Kid Magnus, Tatai, and Q, also secured their spots for the National Finals, joining R3DMAN (Edrian Alcaria) and MSTR PIECE (Regie Harris Lavestre), the winner and first runner-up of the Davao qualifier. Included in the finalists are Nemesis (Sam Rivera) and Khlai (Khlai Vargaso Batula), the winner and first runner-up of the Cebu qualifier, to complete 8 finalists from the qualifiers. The remaining slots for the National Finals will be given to wildcard picks.

Red Bull Dance Your Style dance consultants, Vince Mendoza and Lema Diaz of the Philippine All-Stars, expressed their excitement for the upcoming National Finals especially after seeing the talents from the qualifiers in Manila, Cebu, and Davao. “There were so many unforgettable moments,” remarked Lema Diaz. “You could tell that everybody brought their A-game and did not hold back. Everybody really wanted to have the top spot to participate in the National Finals.”

On what he looks forward to seeing in the National finals, Vince Mendoza said, “I want to see more identity, creativity, performance, and maturity of the dancers, understanding the message of the music and the crowd. That’s really hard to achieve as a dancer, but for the young generation, they’re really fast at learning and adapting.”

Lema Diaz added, “All you have to do is be yourself, show everybody what you’ve got. What makes you different from the rest is your own experience, your own flavor, where you come from. Carry that with you and let the crowd decide who moves on to the next (stage).”

As the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines National Finals draw near, the anticipation is reaching fever pitch. Crowds from across the country eagerly await for what is set to be an electrifying and intense competition. The National Finals promises to be a spectacular celebration of street culture, featuring thrilling dance battles, stunning choreography, and a showcase of the nation’s best talent.