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photo by Joshua Asuncion
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COA Reapers retain Mass Dance title in technical showdown; Panel, council urge systematic changes for succeeding competition John Paul Siapel Last year they gave stories to fulfill. This year delivers pure mastery and skill. Unlike last year’s production-heavy showcases, the Mindanao State University– General Santos (MSU-GenSan) Intramurals 2026 Mass Dance Competition stripped away prop spectacles and thematic narratives, forcing contingents into a highstakes technical battle where the College of Agriculture (COA) Reapers secured a back-to-back victory at the University Quadrangle on October 11. Judges Benhur Zerrudo Abalos, Evelou T. Villodres, and Al-Nezar B. Ali evaluated the performances under newly revised guidelines, shifting the competition’s focus from broad theatrical storytelling to dance fundamentals, execution, and movement complexity.
COA elevates technical complexity to retain title Adjudicators unanimously highlighted that Agriculture set itself apart by advancing movement difficulty while maintaining strict execution and synchronization standards across its routine. “Aside sa nasustain yung kanilang choreography, nagbigay pa sila ng bago, panibagong style or difficulty of choreography. The element of surprise is spectacular, Masyadong maraming ginawa... for me, talagang deserving sila na makuha nila yung number one,” Abalos said. Villodres emphasized the contingent’s overall performance growth compared to previous years, noting that Agriculture relied on execution rather than visual spectacle.
“Hindi sila masyadong sa spectacle, pero pagkating doon sa overall performance nila, may naiba compared last year. Mas nag-improve yung choreography. Tsaka yung mga dancers nila ang gagaling din,” the veteran adjudicator observed. Ali pointed out that COA’s key advantage lay in the choreographer’s deep musicality and structural understanding of track transitions. “The most central difference in the production of Agriculture is that the choreographer managed to study each of the mix music. Every music mix played, he studied—including the bump of the hip, the transition, the scale, the circular patterns, the arrangement, and contrast,” the panel member stated.
Organizers clarify grievance rulings and mechanics Addressing post-event concerns, Supreme Student Council (SSC) organizer Saivani Ali clarified that policy restrictions, including the removal of thematic storylines, stemmed from a collective vote among college representatives during pre-event solidarity meetings rather than unilateral committee decisions. “In crafting the guidelines, nagkaroon kami ng solidarity meeting with the colleges... it was raised by a college and approved by the body na wala na lang thematic for the performance. Hindi kami ang nagboot sa guidelines, si colleges, trainers nila, student coordinators, and presidents were even there,” the student leader explained. The organizer also addressed two primary grievances filed by colleges regarding
cultural attire and identifiable team apparel. “In many instances during the performance, natabunan yung shirt. We seek the guidance of the judges, and para sa kanila, hindi talaga identifiable yung college na yun,” Ali noted.
Adjudicators, SSC push structural recommendations Looking forward to future iterations, both the judging panel and the student council called for systematic adjustments to music preparation and training timelines. Responding to judges’ critiques regarding flat mid-routine music transitions, the organizer acknowledged that tight budgets and pre-set DJ mixing schedules prevented late track alterations once choreography had commenced. “Hindi basta-basta ma-change because of the budget—kasi nag-hire tayo ng DJ for the mixers—and the timing, but we really do acknowledge that... and we’re planning on passing that to the next governance,” the student representative stated. To elevate future performance standards, Abalos urged participating colleges to initiate dancer training months in advance to build physical stamina and refine choreography execution. “Early preparation is much better; mas maganda ang output at result ng production. Basta mahaba yung preparation, mas maganda,” the judges advised.
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