Philippine Allstars: Champions Again in Malta Guinness Street Dance 2009

For the first time, the Malta Guinness street dance internationals were being held in Kenya. So, everything was top notch including the well built stage for the event. Nothing was left to chance.

Saturday came at last and the bright sun surely brightened up the faces of both competitors and the crowd at the Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC). People from all walks of life came to witness the battle of the best. Ghanaians, Nigerians, Tanzanians, Pilipino, Kenyans among others.

The crowd’s anticipation was finally doused when singer/hype man DNG, who was the MC of the day, came on stage. He looked stunning in black designer jeans, jacket and a red t-shirt.

He introduced the first act which was done by the selected few from all the nine competing countries. They warmed the stage with a simple well choreographed dance routine.

Then it was time to get down to business. Every group had their own unique dance routines, but there are those who literally outdid themselves on stage and won the hearts of the crowd and definitely the Judges from United Dance Organization.

Nigerians were among the crowds favorite, their second performance which was a play tucked in a dance made their winning chances high. While Tanzanians, our good neighbors, showed Kenyans what they are made of by pulling some fast well rehearsed stunts along with mad stage energy.

While Sisko, our own Kenya representatives also did their best to keep the title at home. Their post election theme came out as intended and their dance routine went well with the theme.

On the zone of choreography and synchrony, France simply got it right while the Beast mode from USA did not live up to their name and certainly the county’s dance reputation.

Without a shadow of doubt, the all stars from Philippines were announced the winners of the much coveted $25000 and the international dance title. Adorned in black shinny long jackets, the group pulled stunts that we only get to see Jet Li do in his movies. From building unbelievably high pyramids and flying over them to shaking their waists and flying on stage, the all stars danced true to their name. Our own Sisko ended up in fourth place.

Philippine Allstars Pictures at World Hip Hop Championship 2009

This is the picture of Philippine Allstars during the World Hip Hop Championship 2009!
At this time the crowd could hardly contain themselves as the 7 dancers hit the stage--so much so that thePhilippine Allstars had to leave the stage for a period and return after the love had calmed down.

Good thing they were worth the wait!

This choreography is the best Kenjhons has ever put together. The performance is the best I’ve ever seen of the Philippine Allstars. The costume is the most artistic effort the Philippine Allstars has ever undertaken. And, the stunts alone have taken “blow-ups” to a death-defying level that have never been dared by any other team.

Jab Buhay says, “There’s a difference between winning and success. Winning (at the World Hip-hop Championships) is getting a medal. But you guys (Philippine Allstars) succeeded (in the hearts of the people).” So yes, Philippine Allstars lost this time around, but Philippine Allstars really did not hear much about it.

Like Lawrence said "It is still a Celebrations!".

Philippine Allstars Group Profile

The Philippine Allstars was started in 2005 by 12 friends who came from different backgrounds, but wanted to collectively represent their country in the World Hip-Hop Championships held in the US. That year after taking first in the Maximum Groovity II, National Hip-Hop Open, they proudly placed 6th in the World. In 2006, Allstars put the Philippines on the map of Hip-hop dance in becoming the first Asian country to win back-to-back World Gold titles in the International Hip-hop Open d’Ítalia in Turin, Italy and in the World Hip-Hop Dance Championships in Los Angeles, California. The next year, the group took Bronze in the same competition and also won Team of the Year from V.Ent’s First Annual Dance Awards. Now in 2008, they came back strong again and took Gold in the World Hip-Hop Dance Championships held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

But past the medals, awards, and their resume, this group stands for so much more than winning. To them, winning is only a device for them to get seen, heard, and accomplish their true goals.

The group hopes to elevate the status of dancers in the Philippines, because for too long have dancers been considered second-rate performers. Through their efforts and many talented others, they want to show that dancing is a great art form and should be more respected and rewarded than what is currently being offered by the entertainment industry. They share in a movement that strives to unite and inspire this generation through Faith, Hip-hop, and One Love. Lastly, a goal of the group is to teach and help under-privileged kids through dancing and inspiring them to strive for something more than what they have been told they can achieve. The Allstars advocates for Gawad Kalinga, has taught in US Embassy Outreach Programs, has spoken and performed for the QC Detention Cell, and participated in programs such as Pathways Workshop and Walk for Education. The Allstars are featured in many events, concerts, tours, TV guestings, commercials, music videos, films, and print ads.

Currently, the Philippine Allstars consists of the following members: Kenjhons, Lema Diaz, Sheena Vera Cruz, Laurence Chua, Patrick Caballa, Kyxz Mendiola, Michelle Salazar, Jeremiah Carandang, Reagan Cornelio, Chelo Aestrid, Madelle Enriquez, Deo Bantillo & trainees, Patrick Romero and Joshua Barlis. Each member contributes to its authentic Hip-Hop flava that combines the different styles of Popping, Locking, Break-dancing, Krumping, Freestyling, LA Style, House and other Old and New Skool genres. Other talents the members possess are Painting, Singing, Music Production, Commercial Styling, Hosting, Acting, Film Production, Graphic Design, and Writing.

Philippine All-Stars win 2008 World Hip Hop Title

The multi-awarded Philippine All Stars gave Filipinos another reason to be proud of when the group bagged the title in the 2008 World Hip-Hop Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada.

More than 1,000 dancers from 33 countries gathered in Las Vegas in quest for the gold. The All Stars, however, ruled the dance floor with their two-minute performance packed with flips and steps in harmony. The dancers went off stage with high hopes of winning after finishing a near perfect dance.

When they received the award, group members said they were glad for the success as they united Filipinos in that moment of glory.

“This is just a moment where everyone could just unite. In our own part, to be an inspiration not just for the people here in the championship, but to all the Filipinos out there,” said group member Sheena Vera Cruz.

She added that the group wants to give other Filipinos hope that they could also become winners given the same opportunity.

“We want to give them hope that if we have this opportunity, all the Filipinos out there can also have the same opportunity as us,” she said.

Lema Diaz, another group member, called on other Filipino groups to dream big and strive to realize their aspirations.

“Our main purpose is to wake up the youth of the Philippines and and Filipinos around the world to rise up to go for what theybelieve and to dream big,” Diaz said.

In the end, the three judges gave the All Stars an aggregate score of 8.94. A large part of the score (5.35) was earned by way of the group’s infusion of artistic steps in their choreography.

And to that, competition judge and multi-Gramy awardee MC Hammer said: “The Filipino artists…they continue to evolve in a global basis. They take art and dance seriously.I am very proud of the level that the Philippines over all have developed into.”

Judge Shane Sparks also had high praises for the group.

“Great kids, great dancers and choreographer…I think they’re some of the hottest dancers that touch the stage of the America’s best dance crews and I know there’s more to come ,” Sparks said.