Hanoi, Vietnam, May 16, 2022: Whenever there’s an international multi-sport games in Asia, one of the most popular attractions is always dance sport.
The swirling costumes, the clap-along music, the mesmerizing quick step and the elegance of the waltz…there is something for everyone.
The 31st SEA Games was no exception, with a packed house at the Long Bien Gymnasium on the outskirts of Hanoi City on the two days of competition which ended with a “Magic Monday” for the Philippines.
Of the six medals available on the second and final day, the Philippines won four gold and two silver to significantly boost their overall medal tally in the 11-nation SEA Games.
Sean Mischa Aranar, who won three of those four gold medals with his partner Ana Leonila Manalo Nualla, believes he knows the secret of dance sport’s success.
“Well, with respect to other sport, I think dance sport there is also some kind of a show that is happening within the competition and most of these people that are watching they are interested to watch this sport," he said.
“Maybe that’s why, because our sport and artistry of dancing is mixed in dance sport; that’s why every time there is a competition these people are anticipating this sport.”
As for the dominance of the Philippines in the Standard dances, Sean added: “Because, ever since we started, Philippines is always inviting foreign teachers especially from Europe since Europe is like the centre of ballroom, ever since the Philippines is very interested in learning new stuff, upgrading their dancing, so maybe this is one of the reasons that’s why the Philippines is already - how do I say this? - competitive in a way in ballroom dancing.”
Although the team members are based in the Philippines, they have their own European teachers and visit Italy, London and Lithuania for training.
The Philippines won one gold medal in Latin dance the previous day and Sean revealed: “Actually my partner yesterday (Sunday) she was telling me that we will really do our best so that we can sing our national anthem a lot of times, so it was really fulfilling especially that we did our responsibility as a national athlete for our country and, of course, with their support everything was possible.
“This would not be possible if it was not also for the support of our Philippine Dance Sport, our coaches and all of our friends that are with us in our dancing career.”
Sean and his partner Ana won the single dance tango, single dance Viennese Waltz and Grade A Standard (combined), while Mark Jayson Gayon and Mary Joy Renigen added the single dance slow foxtrot.
Thailand picked up the other two gold medals on the second and final day as Issarapong Duangkaew/Thanawan Yananun won the single dance waltz and single dance quickstep.