Cebuano pair Aunzo-Cañeda shines in Aussie Dance Sport

THE START of the journey towards a better life for former Tejero scavenger Wilbert Fajardo Aunzo received a huge push after he and his partner Pearl Marie Cañeda got what they wanted aimed for from the land down under—a gold medal.

The Dancesport Team Cebu City (DTCC) members and Philippine National Dancesports team mainstays Aunzo and Cañeda dished out one of the finest performances in their young and budding careers as they dominated the Grade A 5 Dance Latin in the Open Youth Division of the prestigious 68th Australian DanceSport Championship at the Hisense Arena in Melbourne, Australia yesterday.

The result of Aunzo and Caneda’s campaign was relayed to Cebu Daily News yesterday by Cebu City Sports Commission chairman Edward Hayco, who said that he’s very proud of both Cebuanos.

“Grabe jud kaayo ilang performance didto,” Hayco said. “Imagine going up against the best dancers in the world and winning the gold.”

Earlier, Hayco expressed his apprehension regarding the two’s chances in the event as the Cebuanos were faced with some of the world’s best dancers. But Aunzo and Caneda proved that Cebuanos have the ability to rule a sporting event, especially dancesports.

The Cebuano pair are a nine-time winners in the Philippine Dancesport Championships in the youth category aside from being undefeated champions in the Junior A Latin Champion in the Latin and Standard National Rankings of 2007-2008 held in Pasig City. /Correspondent JADE S. VIOLETA