09/05/2026
| To Keep in Step: Virac’s Dancesports Scene Learns the Long Dance
Like dancers waiting for their cue behind a curtain, Virac’s dancesports community spent years moving outside the spotlight.
But through the collective effort of young dancers and coaches deeply passionate about their artform, Virac’s dancesports community continues to grow past the modest space it used to occupy in the local sports scene.
As the Summer Sports Fest 2026 Dancesports Tournament held in Calatagan Proper Barangay Plaza ended, the shared celebration among athletes showed how dancesports, once a limited and often overlooked activity, has gradually evolved into a booming, supportive community.
For athletes like King Atienzo, however, arriving at that point meant first overcoming doubt from people closest to him.
“Su mga magurang ko, hindi ganon ka-supportive nung una sa dancesports ta ano man baga ang matutuwang ka ini? Pero igwa man talaga,” said Atienzo, a dancesports athlete.
The hesitation surrounding dancesports is not unfamiliar in Virac. After all, traditional sports often receive greater attention and support.
But beyond such views, many dancers like Atienzo managed to find a sense of belonging by joining groups like Hilwag Dance Troupe, a dance organization based in Catanduanes Nartional High School (CNHS) and Solemate Dance Company.
“Hindi lang discipline ang natututunan, may mga friendships kaming nabubuo sa dancesports,” expressed Princess Tablada, a dancer from Solemate.
Through groups like these, the local dancesports community has formed a tight-knit bond that extends far beyond competitions, allowing dancers to support one another as they continue toward greater heights.
Maricon Romero, the founder of Solemate and the SSF2026 Dancesports Tournament manager, expressed her joy at the increasing number of youths interested in dancing, remembering how the scene was only consisted of dancers from Cavinitan, Calatagan, and CNHS in the past.
“Ngayon meron na tayo from JMAMES, VPES, at iba pa; meaning nag-grogrow talaga ang dancesports in Catanduanes kasi meron na tayong dancers from other schools,” shared Romero
Still, Romero believes there is a need for more diverse competition to truly rival other provinces.
“Pag tayo tayo lang ang nagcocompete, kulang yung competition. Kapag marami na galing sa labas, makikita mo kung may mas magaling pa ba talaga sa atin,” she explained.
Exposure to stronger competition, Romero said, helps dancers understand the demands waiting beyond local tournaments and pushes them to improve further. She also expressed hope that future competitions later this year will attract participants from other municipalities.
For now, though, the scene already feels different from what it once was.
What began as a handful of dancers trying to keep pace with a sport few understood has slowly turned into a community. And like any long dance, this particular community’s growth mirrored staying long enough for others to finally join in.
Pubmat and Graphics: Marco Gonzales, The Synchronizer
