The Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company–Contemporary Group (SBRDC-C) competed in the Philippine Challenge Cup Dance Competition (PHCCDC) from July 4 to 6, winning gold and “best performer” for their group performance as well as a solo performance by ID123 Multimedia Arts (MMA) student, Carl Daniel Doromal.
SBRDC-C’s winning group performance was made possible through the efforts of students hailing from a mix of courses and ID numbers. The group comprised of ID123 students Juliana Benavides from AB-Diplomacy, MMA student Doromal, Ryhan Aniban from AB-Film, and BS-Architecture students Carmela Sofia Tingson Dedel (ID120), and Teresa De Chavez (ID119).
Choreographing dedication
Inspired by the production Carmen, the group’s dance choreographer, Ms. Christine Crame, recounted how she came up with the main idea behind their winning choreography, stating it had been long overdue for her to create a piece inspired by the production.
When asked how she felt after finding out about their big win she brought the focus to the hard work accomplished behind the scenes, “Beyond the medal, winning teaches students that hard work and teamwork is of most value. It's a tangible reward for their resilience and belief in themselves,” she stated, in an interview with The Benildean.
Similarly, Rhyan Aniban, an ID123 AB-Film student and dancer from SBRDC-C, expressed the mixed bag of emotions he and the other dancers felt before giving it their all onstage. When asked about what his biggest takeaway from the experience was, he stated how he learned not to be too critical of oneself, “[...] I learned a lot, so from this point onwards, I must remind myself that success is made through countless hours of pure dedication, determination and love for what you are doing and that I did great, but I can do better,” he shared.
Building the stage
The success of SBRDC-C at the PCCDC is a testament to Benilde's commitment to supporting its creative students. Ms. Crame emphasized the institution's unwavering support for the group, though she noted the need for better rehearsal facilities. "Benilde has been very supportive with the group. If there is one thing we urgently need is a proper space for class and rehearsals," she reiterated.
Aniban also echoed this sentiment, highlighting how Benilde creates an environment where students can pursue their artistic passions. "From what I experienced, I could say that Benilde truly is supportive in every endeavor that their student wishes to take part on.”
Down the road
With their recent triumph serving as a launching pad, SBRDC-C is already setting their sights on future competitions. Ms. Crame revealed that they are "already planning our next competition," indicating that this victory is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey for the group.
The choreographer's vision also extends beyond individual competitions, expressing hopes that "the group may progress to their full potential as student artists and may it extend beyond their stay in Benilde." This forward-looking perspective suggests that the skills, discipline, and artistic excellence fostered within the company will continue to benefit dancers long after their academic years.
Additionally, the momentum from their PCCDC victory has also strengthened the group's resolve to overcome challenges that have historically faced performance artists in competition settings. Ms. Crame identified "the conquering of emotions" and "the physical and mental exhaustion they go through.”
Following their win, Aniban continued to express his gratitude to all those that support him and the rest of the dancers in their journey. When asked what message he would like to impart to aspiring performance artists, he urged them to keep going, despite the difficulties and setbacks.
“No matter how hard it is, how badly you want to quit, just remember that option will always be there but the opportunity may never come back, make each setback just a setback and not the reason you’ve lost before it even began,” he expressed.
