The Philippines will soon be witness to the best in
competitive ballroom dancing as the "1st
Philippine StarBall," the country’s first ever open
international ballroom dance event, draws near. The competition,
set on February 16 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria, Manila, will
have the top names of ballroom dance in the world to vie for
cash prizes amounting to P7 million.
Two international personalities who will participate in the
"1st Philippine
StarBall" were part of the production of the movie, "Shall We
Dance" which starred Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez.
Charlotte Jorgensen, an internationally renowned dancer and
former "Danish Standard" champion, was the dance coach of both
Gere and Lopez for the movie. She also appeared in the first
series of the ABC ballroom dance show "Dancing with the Stars."
Jorgensen will be one of the adjudicators of the "StarBall"
tilt, together with other international judges from the US,
England, Italy, Australia, Russia, and Asia.
Gary McDonald, the first American ballroom dancer to ever win
a world title in the "World Professional Ten Dance"
championship, starred as Jennifer Lopez’s Blackpool dance
partner in the flashback scene of "Shall We Dance." He also was
the head dance trainer for the other stars including Susan
Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Bobby Cannavale, Lisa Ann Walter, Anita
Gillette, Omar Miller, and Mya. Gary is a 10-time "US
Professional Ten Dance" champ (Ballroom & Latin), and
represented the US in a record 24 world championships. He is
also a world class adjudicator and master of ceremonies for all
"United States Professional Championships." For the "StarBall,"
the country will have Gary as the competition’s emcee and will
guide the audience through the proceedings of the event.
The "1st Philippine
StarBall" is being organized by the Council of United
Professional Dance Teachers of the Philippines (CUPDTP), with
Michaela "Pinky" Puno, wife of DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno, as
chairman of the organizing committee. The event is being
supported by the Department of Tourism, The First Gentleman’s
Foundation, Metrobank, Shoemart, and International Container
Terminal Services, Inc. The event is for the benefit of KYTHE,
"helping children with cancer."
For details on how to join the competition, check
www.cupdtp.org. For tickets, call 812-8464.
