Davao Ignites as Red Bull Dance Your Style Crowns First National Finalist

Davao’s dance scene erupted in a blaze of energy at the Red Bull Dance Your Style regional qualifier held on March 22 at Club Echelon. The event showcased a thrilling lineup of Davao’s most talented dancers, all vying for a coveted spot in the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals.

Red Bull Dance Your Style, a unique global 1-on-1 street dance competition, once again demonstrated its status as a premier street dance event. The competition celebrated Davao’s vibrant dance culture, providing a platform for local talents to display their skills and creativity. From hip-hop and house to waacking and popping and locking, the dance floor pulsed with electrifying energy as participants battled for supremacy.

The competition’s format, where the audience determines the winner, added an extra layer of excitement. Every dancer’s move and musical interpretation held crucial weight.

After a series of intense battle rounds, SUJI emerged victorious. They impressed with not only their technical mastery but also their commanding stage presence, captivating the crowd.

“My mindset was plain and simple,” SUJI shared. “I didn’t have much expectation, I just wanted to be here.”

With this win, SUJI is now the first official finalist for this year’s Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals in Cebu. The competition will feature the country’s best dancers battling for the opportunity to represent the Philippines at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals in Los Angeles, USA, this October.

Beyond the victory, SUJI sought personal growth through the competition. “All I have is dance, and I wanted to push through,” they said. “A friend helped to make it possible for me to be here today, I only had to do my part which (was) to dance.”

SUJI also revealed that while they lacked a specific crowd-winning strategy, they adhered to the competition’s essence: battling and connecting with the audience. “I just did what I could with my 7-year experience of freestyling. Everything is about getting to know more about myself, and while doing that, I also get to know how a person’s mind works.”

They discussed their move-figuring process, observing fellow dancers. “I observed the other dancers and how they would play from their rounds before our battle. So, I tried to figure out how our battle round would play out.” SUJI remarked, “I see it as two dancers communicating; it’s more than just movement. There is no verbal connection, only kinesthetics.”

On preparing for the National Finals, SUJI shared, “For me, I just want to stick to something that I’m already sure of.” They added, “Win or lose, I’m after the experience. I want to see how people would react to what I do or what I offer (during the competition).”

The key to winning the National Finals? For SUJI, it was, “To be yourself and to be authentic with your intentions.”

Following Davao, Red Bull Dance Your Style heads to Manila for the second regional qualifier on April 25. Registrations for the Manila and Cebu Qualifiers are now open. Interested participants can register through THIS link.

Don’t miss the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals in Cebu on May 24. Watch the event live by registering and getting tickets on Red Bull’s website.

Follow the journey to the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final in Los Angeles, happening on October 11.

For more information and updates, visit the official Red Bull website and the following social media pages (Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok).