June 30 ------ Talented and rising star Maria Angela Campo "Gela" Atayde is ready to amaze global audiences as she prepares to conquer the highly anticipated 2023 World Hip Hop Dance Championship. This thrilling event will take place from July 30 to August 6 at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa in Phoenix, USA.
Atayde, putting her acting career on hold for this high-powered pursuit, secured a spot in the elite competition with her equally gifted group of dancers called Legit Status. As practices proceed non-stop, the young lady says she is determined to bring honor and pride to her country by clinching the Arizona championship. All the same, the 21-year-old De La Salle University third-year Communication Arts student also promises her growing number of fans that she will dutifully return to her acting career under Star Magic after her momentous participation in what is often hailed as the Olympics of dance. She likewise assures them that her passion for dance will continue to thrive as an integral part of her artistic journey. Meanwhile, as the highly anticipated event, the intensity of Atayde's practice and training is escalating more and more. "As of now, we practice five times a week, but as the competition gets closer and our fundraising concert approaches, we are transitioning to everyday training," she shares.
Atayde is the youngest sister of actor and Quezon City first district Congressman Juan Carlos "Arjo" Atayde, Gela, along with sought-after actress Ria and little brother Xavi. "It is an honor to be able to represent the country in this competition," she adds. "This has been a dream of mine since the start of my dance career. This competition is a big deal to a lot of dancers around the world, and it's something we really look forward to every year both as a competitor and audience."
The daughter of veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde and her businessman husband Art, Atayde and Legit Status will dance competitively against over a hundred international teams in the Megacrew division. There can be anywhere from a minimum of 15 to a maximum of 40 members for every entry in this category. Although no official line-up of teams has been revealed as of the moment, Legit Status could face more than 4,000 dancers coming from the United States, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Mexico, among other nations. Atayde credits the selection of her group to the contest to the guidance and patience of their director and coach, Vimi Rivera, and his wife coach Shayna Young Rivera, as well as the senior choreographers Judd de los Reyes, Erik Cruz, Tank Bautista, Jigoro Grasasin, Dune Mondejar, Jesse Rafael, Francis Del Mundo, Emerson Marte, Keith De Guzman, Sebastian Mangrobang and Paul Pavlos. "In total, we are more than a hundred already [in Legit Status], but the competing members are only 40," Atayde explained. "The senior choreographers help put the whole piece together by collaborating on the different styles they specialize in." Legit Status made it to the world's grandest dancing stage after settling for first runner-up against eight other competitors at the Megacrew division of the 2023 Hip Hop International Nationals last May 26 to 28 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila City.
Atayde, who has also been a young model and actress, said she was inspired by her elder brother Arjo to dance when she was 12. Asked if she is also into other dance genres like Jazz or ballroom, the determined danseur happily replied she has only focused on hip-hop and street dance so far. "Watching Kuya Arjo dance back when he was a competitive dancer sparked my love for dancing. But today, it is also other talented dancers around the country that inspires me to continuously grow in dance," Atayde related. "This is the path I have always wanted to take." Her earlier coaches played a critical part in honing Atayde's passion for hip-hop and street dance, namely Von and Chinky Asilo, who led her former high school dance team Poveda Enciende. "All the values they taught me from when I was 13 years old until I was 18 have brought me here. They are definitely the two people who keep me going. Aside from them, my family and friends, of course, who continuously support and motivate me."
Atayde is not a newbie in the international hip-hop street dance competition scene. She was a champion at the 2017 Dance Worlds tilt and a bronze medalist in the International Cheer Union, both held in Orlando, Florida. She was also a local champion at the Beacon Dance Competition and Chosen Ground 15 in 2019. "I'm thankful to Coach Vimi Rivera, who I can say believes in me more than I actually believe in myself. His trust, patience and understanding of me and my work keep me grounded, especially because two of the things I'm doing require utmost commitment," Atayde said. "The confidence coming from my coach motivates me to always push harder because I get to do the two things I love the most at the same time despite how hectic and tiring it all is." Legit Status is scheduled to fly to the United States this late July.
Source: manilatimes.net
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