This could be gleaned from the decline in the number of competitors by half compared to last October s edition. Only 47 out of more than a hundred dance pairs had bothered to join this time. You see, not even the good money most competitors earn as dance instructors is enough to finance their need for expensive foreign coaches, outlandish costumes and dance workshops here and abroad. They rely heavily on financial support from sponsors to excel in the sport. Trouble is, not too many sponsors are willing to give even a single cent to pairs with no proven track records.
Life s full of ironies, even in the rarefied world of ballroom dancing.
From an all-time high of 54 pairs last year, for instance, only two Cebuano couples showed up. Cebu-based champions, led by siblings Genevieve and Charlie Camacho, were noticeably absent. The pair did poorly last October, landing only sixth in the finals. They scored an upset several months earlier by unseating Bong and Edna from the top spot. As usual, both camps supporters came in full force to cheer for their respective bets.