Manila’s dance scene ignited once again as Red Bull Dance Your Style brought electrifying one-on-one freestyle battles to XYLO at The Palace on April 25th. The Manila Qualifier saw top dancers from the city and nearby areas fiercely compete for a coveted spot in the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final in Cebu.

The staging of the regional qualifier was concurrent with the Philippine itinerary of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour, enhancing the overall event experience.

Red Bull Dance Your Style Manila: City’s Dancers Impress

Manila’s Red Bull Dance Your Style qualifier delivered another high-energy spectacle, pushing the region’s top dancers to their creative and improvisational limits with surprise music. The crowd’s votes determined the winner, with Jigoro emerging victorious.

“I’m so happy and it’s all worth it,” said Jigoro about their win. “Being a full-time dancer, (this is) a big feat for me.” He also cites the support from his friends and the support from his community for his drive during the competition.

For Jigoro, the highlight of his Red Bull Dance Your Style experience is the local dance community’s support for each other. “Despite the fierce competition on the battle stage, all the love from my fellow competitors is really one of the most memorable things to me about the competition.”

By winning, Jigoro earned a coveted ticket to the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final, with the ultimate prize being a trip to Los Angeles, USA, to represent the Philippines at the World Final. Jigoro and Manila’s runner-up EBOY will join Davao qualifiers SUJI and SPADECKX in the national competition.

Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour Lights Up Manila’s Dance Scene

The Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour turned Manila into a central stage for dance, marked by the arrival of 2024 World Champion MT Pop (Vietnam). This visit provided a valuable platform for interaction between global and Filipino street dancers, fostering growth in the Asian scene. Joining MT Pop in Manila were fellow acclaimed dancers: 2022 World Champion THE D Soraki (Japan) and 2024 Korea National Finalist Yoon Ji (Korea).

“It’s been a long time coming,” remarked MT Pop. “I’ve really been wanting to come to the Philippines, and a lot of dancers from here have been messaging me to ask when I will come here. Finally, I’m in the Philippines and I’m really happy to be here.”

He added, “Immediately, everybody has given us such a warm welcome and shown us a lot of love.”

For MT Pop, the chance to encounter dancers in Southeast Asia is the most important thing about the Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour. “I’m from Vietnam, and I’m happy to get a chance to spotlight great dancers from Southeast Asia and share the stage with them.” On what he wants to impart on local dancers, MT Pop said, “Just keep going. Keep learning. Everybody has had (their share of) difficulties, but for me what’s important is that when we love it, we do it. Dream it. Wish it. And, do it.”

The global dancers were also in attendance during the Red Bull Dance Your Style Manila Qualifier. “The final battle was really fire. And with everybody vibing here, with good music, it really was the perfect night.”

MT Pop’s rise from a local street dancer in Vietnam to a global champion underscores how Red Bull Dance Your Style opens doors for dancers. Red Bull Dance Your Style highlights freestyle dance as a universal art expression that can connect communities from all over the world.

Cebu Prepares for the Next Red Bull Dance Your Style Clash

Following Manila’s excitement, the Red Bull Dance Your Style journey continues in Cebu. Another group of elite dancers will face the challenge, vying for a National Final spot and the incredible opportunity to represent the Philippines at the World Final in Los Angeles this October 11th.

To join the Cebu Qualifiers, register through THIS link. Catch the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals in Cebu on May 24. Visit Red Bull’s website to register and get your tickets.

Follow MT Pop and the rest of the global dancers’ journey across Asia with the Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour. Support the Red Bull Dance Your Style Philippines National Finalists as they prepare to go head-to-head in Cebu this May.

For more information and updates, visit the official Red Bull website and the following social media pages (Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok )