Golden Rhythm: Tibungco Dancesport Team Shines in Vietnam Festival

 

The winning streak of the Tibungco Dancesport Team (TDT) continues to dazzle the international stage, this time at the prestigious WDSF Vietnam Dancesport Festival held from July 9 to 13, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Representing the Philippines with pride and poise, TDT dancers Gavin Tangara and Reyben Mari Semilla brought home a gold and a silver medal. The pair clinched the gold in the KTOC Adult Single Dance Waltz category and secured a silver in the KTOC Adult Single Dance Viennese Waltz, showcasing elegance, precision, and discipline in their performance.

Earlier in the competition, their junior teammates from TDT, Bhenz Rudolf Owen Semilla and Francheska Dezzly Darvin, also delivered a stellar performance. The young duo captured three gold medals and one bronze. Their golds came from the KTOC Youth Single Dance categories in Slow Waltz, Viennese Waltz, and Foxtrot. They also earned a bronze in the highly competitive WDSF Youth Open category.

The success of the Tibungco Dancesport Team is a result of rigorous training and world-class mentorship under coaches Julie Flintham and Jeah Yonac, who have consistently guided the dancers to hone their skills and compete with excellence on the global stage.

With each win, TDT continues to raise the Philippine flag in the international dancesport community, proving that discipline, talent, and passion can lead to gold.(Bob Braceros)

Golden Steps: Davao Duo Shines with Triple Gold at World DanceSport Youth Open in Vietnam

 

DAVAO CITY — Two young dance prodigies from Davao have made the Philippines proud after clinching three gold medals at the prestigious World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) Youth Open held this week in Vietnam.

Bhenz Rudolf Owen H. Semilla and Francheska Dezzly C. Darvin, standout members of the Tibungco Dancesport Team, showcased their world-class talent and grace as they topped the Youth A Standard category, one of the most competitive international stages for rising dance athletes.

The golden pair was chosen to represent the country by the Philippine DanceSport Federation, Inc. (PDSFI) after emerging as the top-ranked duo in their division through the 2024 PDSFI Ranking Points System. Their consistent dominance in national competitions earned them the coveted slot, proving they were more than ready for the global arena.

“Their victory is not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for the Philippine dancesport community,” PDSFI said in a statement. “This opportunity is a testament to the dedication and discipline of our young dancers, as well as the high standards of our national ranking system.”

According to the federation, only the top-ranked couples in both the Latin and Standard categories were selected to carry the Philippine flag in international contests — a move that underscores the organization’s strong commitment to discovering and elevating Filipino talent to the world stage.

Semilla and Darvin's success is also a win for grassroots sports development in Mindanao. Their journey, which began with local training in Tibungco, Davao City, serves as an inspiring example of how regional talent can flourish and shine internationally with the right support and perseverance.

As they continue their journey in competitive dancesport, the whole country — especially their hometown of Davao — stands united in celebrating their remarkable feat and cheering them on for future triumphs.

With every poised step and passionate turn, these young Davaoeños are proving that Filipino dancers can truly conquer the world stage.(Bob Braceros)

Two Davaoeño Dancers to Represent Philippines at World DanceSport Youth Open in Vietnam

 

DAVAO CITY — Two rising dance champions from Davao are set to bring pride to the country as they represent the Philippines in the prestigious World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) Youth Open this July in Vietnam.

Bhenz Rudolf Owen H. Semilla and Francheska Dezzly C. Darvin, standout members of the Tibungco Dancesport Team, have earned the honor of competing in the Youth A Standard category — a major international stage for young dancers.

The Philippine DanceSport Federation, Inc. (PDSFI) selected the duo after they topped their category in the 2024 PDSFI Ranking Points System. Their consistent performance and dominance in national competitions cemented their place as the top-ranked pair in the Youth A Standard division.

PDSFI announced that the top-ranked couples in both Latin and Standard divisions were given the privilege to represent the Philippines in international competitions — a move that highlights the federation’s commitment to recognizing and nurturing world-class Filipino talent.

“This opportunity is a testament to the dedication and discipline of our young dancers, as well as the high standards of our national ranking system,” the federation said in a statement.

The entire Philippine dancesport community is rallying behind Semilla and Darvin as they prepare to compete against the best young dancers from around the world. Their participation not only brings honor to Davao City, but also showcases the growing strength of grassroots dancesport development in Mindanao.

With passion, precision, and national pride, these two young Davaoeños are ready to make their mark on the global stage.(Bob Braceros)

Golden Grace: Davao Duo Dazzles with 6 Golds in Palarong Pambansa 2025 Dancesport

LAOAG, ILOCOS NORTE – The dance floor lit up with elegance and energy as Bhenz Rudolf Owen Semilla and Francheska Dezzly Darvin of Davao City swept the competition at the Palarong Pambansa 2025 Dancesport Championships, taking home six gold medals and once again cementing their status as champions in the Secondary Modern Standard category.

Representing Tibungco Dancesport Team (TDT) and Davao City, the dynamic duo waltzed, tangoed, and quickstepped their way to the top of the podium in the following categories:

🥇 Waltz

🥇 Tango

🥇 Viennese Waltz

🥇 Slow Foxtrot

🥇 Quickstep

🥇 Junior A (5 Dance)

With this impressive feat, Semilla and Darvin are now officially 3-time undefeated overall champions in their division—a testament to their dedication, discipline, and undeniable talent.

Their victory was not only a personal achievement but also a proud moment for the entire Davao region. Behind this success is a strong support system that helped make it all possible.(Bob Braceros)

Davao City Dancesport Team Shines at 2024 Palarong Pambansa

 

The Davao City dancesport team has achieved remarkable success at the ongoing 2024 Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City, securing five gold medals and one silver medal. The outstanding performances by Francheska Dezzly C. Darvin and Bhenz Rudolf Owen H. Semilla, both from the world-class Tibungco Dancesport Team, have significantly boosted the medal tally for Region 11.

Francheska and Bhenz, students of Francisco Bustamante High School, demonstrated exceptional skill and grace, earning accolades in various categories. Their dedication and hard work paid off as they dominated the dancesport events, showcasing their talents on a national stage.

The five gold medals and one silver won by these talented dancers are a testament to their commitment and the excellent training provided by the Tibungco Dancesport Team. Their achievements not only highlight the potential of young athletes from Davao City but also contribute significantly to the region's overall medal haul.

As the Palarong Pambansa continues, the success of Francheska and Bhenz serves as an inspiration to their peers and future generations of dancesport athletes. Their impressive medal haul is a proud moment for Davao City and Region 11, underlining the importance of sports in fostering talent and excellence among the youth.(Romeo Braceros Jr.)

Davaoeno dance duo gets 2nd place in Albay dancesport competition

DAVAO CITY---Two members of the Tibungco Dancesport Team won  2nd place in the tough 2nd Magayon Open Dancesport Competition last May 11–12, 2024, at the Albay Astrodome, Legazpi City.

Gavin Tangara and Reyben Mari H. Semilla finished second in the Grade A Standard competition.

In a Facebook post, Tangara expressed joy over their win and thanked those who supported them in their journey.

We want to express our gratitude to everyone who made this competition possible for us. We are forever grateful to our coaches Maam Julie Flintham and Jeah Yonac. thank you so much for your help and guidance. ❤️

Thank you to our parents who are always supportive😘. 

Also, to sir Benjie Badon, Thank you so much, sir Benj❤️

And to our dear Sponsors, we couldn’t thank you enough for the help and trust you gave us. It keeps us motivated knowing that there are people like you who are willing to be with us in this journey. Thank you so much 🥹❤️

Thank you and Congratulations to the organizers for the successful event! 🎉🎊.

After Australia, Tibungco Dancesport Team rules UK One World Online Dance Competition

DAVAO CITY--The Tibungco Dancesport Team (TDT) here once again proved that they are one of the top dancesport team in the world.

This developed after TDT representing the Philippines won big in the United Kingdom  One World Online Dance Competition last June 13.

TDT who are made up mostly of students from Francisco Bustamante National High School won first place in the  Under 21- Couples, Slow Waltz category.

Gavin Facci Tangara and Aple Quiamco wowed the judges with their dances to emerged as champion in their category against other top dance teams around the world.

Reyben Mari H. Semilla also showed the world that a Davaoeno is a world performer after she emerged as champion in the Under 21- Womens Singles, Slow Waltz.

Aside from two first place finishes, TDT also won five second place finishes  and one third place finishes in the other categories of the competition.

All the winners won a certificate and a global recognition in the international dancesport community as prizes.

Before winning the tough international dancesport competition, TDT represented by 19-year-old Jaysar John Gozon also won the  under 21 CHT Australian Solo DanceSport Online Competition last May 24.

Gozon, scored 82 points to emerge as champion in the international dancesport competition participated in by 23 countries including the United States and the organizer Australia.

Tangara also took the fifth place in the under 21 category.

In the under 16 category of the same competition two TDT members also performed well as Aple Quiamco took third place and Heart Celo fifth place.

Before his international dancesport win,  Gozon also won sixth place in the 2019 DanceSport Council of the Philippines competition last Oct. 12, 2019 held at Valle Verde Country Club, Pasig.

Prior to their latest achievement, TDT has put Davao City in the dancesport map as they won many local and national dancesport competitions last year.

The TDT is mentored by Tulie Flintham and Leah Canoy. 

On September 14, the same team also won three golds, two silvers, and three bronzes in the 11th Dancesport sa Sugbo Open Championship at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

Davao City won the gold medals in the three dance youth category, the three dance juvenile category, and the five dance juvenile category.

The team’s trip around the Philippines was made possible with the support of the city government of Davao and Tibungco barangay captain Merjade Calvo.

Before winning the medals in Cebu, the same team also won six medals and trophies in the Mindanow, Superstars of Tomorrow Dancesport Competition at the Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City on August 17.

The team won first place in the Juvenile 5 category, second place in Juvenile 3, second place in Junior 3, second place in Junior 5, third place in Junior 5 Close Mindanao competition, and third place in Junior 3 open.(Romeo Braceros Jr.)