ShareThisJuly 2, 2010 The Philippine Consulate General would like to inform the public that Ms. Candice Adea of the Ballet Philippines of the Cultural Center of the Philippines did the country proud by winning the Women’s Senior Silver Medal in the recently concluded 2010 USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC) in Jackson, Mississippi. The USA IBC is one of the world’s most prestigious dance events, held every four years.
Immediately after announcing the result of the competition by the USA IBC, Consul General Leo M. Herrera- Lim who is on his way to Cincinnati, Ohio, for Consular Outreach, phoned Candice to congratulate her personally for winning in the prestigious dance event and putting the Philippines at par with the best ballet dancers in the world.
The Women’s Senior Gold Medallist is Cao Shuci of the Peoples Republic of China and the Bronze Medalist is Maki Onuki of Japan. During the final performance of Candice Adea and Jean Marc Cordero, senior competitors from the Philippines at the Thalia Mara Hall on June 23, they received thunderous support for their “Diana and Acteon” for classical and “Sapinsapin” for contemporary dance. The crowd jumped to their feet in a standing ovation with energetic whistles and cheers for Adea’s crisp, passionate performance. Other senior female finalists were from South Korea, Japan, Belarus and China.
The competition was held in Jackson, Mississippi from June 12 to 27. A total of 99 competitors around the world participated in the two-week “Olympic-style” competition where tomorrow’s ballet stars vie for gold, silver and bronze medals, cash awards, scholarships and jobs. Competitors are judged by the 13-member International Jury based on their artistry, technical skill and musicality, using a 10- point scale. Combining scores from Round I and II determines the Round III finalist.
Nonetheless, another Filipino ballet dancer, Mr. Jean Marc Cordero was only able to reach Round II or the semi-finals, and did not make it to the finals. However, he performed as Ms. Adea’s non-competing partner during the finals. Throughout the competition’s duration, the Consulate General coordinated and monitored on a daily basis the performances of Ballet Philippines in Jackson, Mississippi, with Mr. Victor Ursabia, Philippine Team coach and Ms. Brooke Joyner, Artistic Coordinator of USA IBC.