A fusion of creativity, mastery, and innovation turned the West Visayas State University (WVSU) Cultural Center into a spectacle of movement as Taga-Wests showcased their formidable talents in the 2025 U-Days Contemporary Dance Competition.
Far from just a contest, the event became an all-out showcase of artistry, with performers bringing their personal narratives to life through powerful choreography. Each routine was a story, filled with emotion and executed with precision, making the night an unforgettable celebration of dance.
Expressions of identity and self-discovery
Dapog Manugbulad opened the competition with a hauntingly beautiful performance set to melodic synth waves. Their synchronized, mechanical movements symbolized the struggle for individuality in a conformist world. As they ascended the stage, their choreography underscored the tension between societal expectations and personal freedom.
Dapog Manugtuom followed with a striking interpretation of self-discovery. The performance centered on a solo dancer, whose journey of searching for meaning unfolded through fluid movements and powerful leaps. A near-missed landing became part of the story—an embrace of human imperfection as part of the journey toward self-realization.
Stories of love and loss
Dapog Manugpangat delivered an emotional tribute to family and fleeting moments with a heartfelt performance set to Kenny Rogers’ Through the Years. The narrative followed an elderly man cherishing his time with his granddaughter—only for the unexpected loss of the child to leave him in profound sorrow. The piece ended in a tearful embrace, fading to darkness.
Dapog Manuglapwa captivated the audience with a routine centered on resilience and self-identity. Dancers moved to somber piano notes before the music faded to silence. As the beat slowly returned, motivational voices played in the background, reinforcing a message of triumph over adversity.
Symbolism and social commentary
The champions, Dapog Manuglugaw, presented a breathtaking religious allegory. Clad in black veils and red strings, dancers depicted suffering and sacrifice, evoking the Passion of Christ. The performance crescendoed with a solitary dancer donning a crown of thorns and carrying a cross—a powerful visual that sent chills through the audience.
Dapog Manugbati took a different approach, using raw energy and controlled chaos to portray collective struggle. Their synchronized yet frenzied movements mirrored the turmoil of a society crying out for justice, capturing the essence of protest through dance.
Dapog Manugsugba explored themes of identity, featuring a dancer who desperately clung to a colorful flag as an ensemble tried to strip him of it. Eventually, the performance transformed into an empowering declaration of self-acceptance, with the dancer triumphantly unveiling a shirt emblazoned with I AM ME.
Advocacy through movement
Dapog Manugsanlag tackled stigma and compassion with a thought-provoking performance on HIV awareness. The routine featured a seamless transition from ballet to contemporary dance, revealing messages such as End the Stigma and Bring Forth Compassion. The closing tableau paid tribute to La Pietà, emphasizing love and acceptance.
Dapog Manugmasa brought a mystical aesthetic to the stage with elaborate costumes and ethereal movements. The performance transformed midway into a fiery, high-energy dance, symbolizing hope and renewal.
Dapog Manugkilaw delivered one of the most unique pieces of the night, portraying schoolgirls in red ties moving in eerie synchronization to Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know. The routine suggested themes of conformity and the bittersweet passage of time, culminating in a symbolic graduation scene.
Pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance
Dapog Manugpakas delivered a high-intensity routine filled with powerful movements and theatrical elements. Their choreography embodied flames—both literal and metaphorical—as dancers struggled against an unseen force, ultimately surrendering to become a single blazing entity.
Dapog Manuglapay closed the competition with a compelling commentary on societal expectations. Dancers, dressed as workers from various professions, moved with technical precision as they portrayed the weight of systemic pressures. In a moving finale, they linked arms and walked forward together, symbolizing unity and resilience.
A celebration of talent and passion
The 2025 U-Days Contemporary Dance Competition proved that Taga-Wests are more than just academically gifted—they are artists, storytellers, and visionaries. With passion, talent, and the ability to push creative boundaries, they showcased the transformative power of dance in telling stories that resonate beyond the stage.
Story by Miles Guancia/the Courier
Photos by Cassandra Alexa Ciasico
