#ProudViscan freshie rises in national dancesport competition

Details
Written by Vernon Deo Dominic Albaladejo
Published: 27 October 2026
From semifinalist to gold medalist: VSU freshman rises in dancesport

Christopher Barnes Rola, Jr., a first-year Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education (BCAEd) student at Visayas State University (VSU), won gold in the Solo Youth Grade A Latin – 5 Dances category at the Philippine DanceSport Federation (PDSF) 3rd Quarter National Championship 2026.

Organized by the PDSF in partnership with the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), the event was held on September 25–27, 2026, at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Lahug, Cebu City. 

The victory marked another milestone in Rola’s progression from after-school training to national-level competition.

According to an article published by The Luminescence, the student publication of Baybay City Senior High School (BCSHS), Rola’s dance journey began during his junior high school years, when he joined the Baylehanon Dance Company. There, he spent his after-school hours training in folk dances, festival performances, and choreography.

Balancing academics with demanding rehearsals required discipline. His commitment opened opportunities to compete in local events and eventually the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet, where he gained experience that helped prepare him for national-level competition.

The establishment of the DanceSport Team of Baybay City (DTBC) also gave young athletes like Rola an opportunity to develop their skills and represent their city in competitions. The team provided a platform for local dancers to gain experience and compete beyond their community.

On September 8, 2025, Rola competed in the PDSF 3rd Quarter National Championship in Cebu City, reaching the semifinals in both the Youth A Latin and Youth C Latin categories.

He continued building on that experience at the PDSF 2nd Quarter National Championships in Cagayan de Oro City, from June 19 to 21, 2026. There, he won gold in both the Youth A Latin and Youth C Latin categories.

From reaching semifinals in 2025 to winning two gold medals in June 2026 and another title in September, Rola’s results show  his continued development as a dancesport athlete—one that bears much promise for the future. 

This article aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) No. 4: Quality Education.