The energy was electric at XYLO at The Palace last April 25, as Red Bull Dance Your Style brought another thrilling round of freestyle battles to Manila. Top dancers from the city and nearby areas faced off one-on-one, each vying for a coveted spot at the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final in Cebu.
Adding to the excitement, the Manila Qualifier coincided with the Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour’s stop in the Philippines, creating an unforgettable night of rhythm, creativity, and passion.
Manila’s best dancers shine bright
The Manila Qualifier delivered an intense showcase of freestyle mastery, with dancers challenged to adapt and improvise to random tracks—true to Red Bull Dance Your Style’s signature format. The crowd held the power to decide the winners of each battle, ultimately crowning Jigoro as the night’s champion.
“I’m so happy — it’s all worth it,” shared Jigoro after the win. “Being a full-time dancer, this is a huge achievement for me.” He credited the unwavering support of his friends and dance community for fueling his performance.
For Jigoro, the sense of camaraderie among competitors was the true highlight of the event. “Even though we were battling fiercely on stage, the love and support from my fellow dancers made this experience unforgettable.”
Jigoro’s victory secures his place at the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final in Cebu, where he’ll compete for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to represent the Philippines at the World Final in Los Angeles. Runner-up EBOY, along with Davao qualifiers SUJI and SPADECKX, will also battle for the title at the National Finals.
Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour brings global stars to Manila
Manila’s vibrant dance community got an extra boost of inspiration as the Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour rolled into town. Global dance icons like MT Pop, the Vietnamese popping sensation and 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style World Champion, joined the festivities to connect with local talents.
“It’s been a long time coming,” MT Pop said of his visit. “I’ve always wanted to come to the Philippines. The welcome we received was incredible — everyone showed us so much love.”
Also joining MT Pop in Manila were Japanese hip-hop star THE D Soraki, 2022 Red Bull Dance Your Style World Champion, and Korean waacking queen Yoon Ji, a finalist from the 2024 Red Bull Dance Your Style Korea National Final. Together, they inspired Manila’s dancers and celebrated the vibrant street dance culture growing across Southeast Asia.
MT Pop emphasized the importance of perseverance and passion: “Just keep going. Keep learning. We all face challenges, but when you love it, you do it. Dream it, wish it, and make it happen.”
The global stars also witnessed Manila’s finest talent firsthand during the qualifier battles. “The final battle was pure fire,” MT Pop said. “The vibe, the music, the people—it was the perfect night.”
MT Pop’s journey from the streets of Vietnam to the world stage stands as a testament to the opportunities Red Bull Dance Your Style creates for dancers worldwide, championing freestyle dance as a universal art form that unites communities.
Next stop: Cebu
The Red Bull Dance Your Style journey continues as the competition heads to Cebu for the next round of qualifiers. Another roster of top-tier dancers will bring their best moves, all aiming for a place at the National Final and the chance to represent the Philippines at the World Final in Los Angeles this October 11.
Interested dancers can sign up for the Cebu Qualifier through [this link]. Fans can also catch all the action live at the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final in Cebu on May 24 — visit Red Bull’s website for registration and ticket details.
Follow MT Pop and the Red Bull Dance Your Style Asia Tour as they continue their journey across the region. Support the Philippine finalists as they prepare for their biggest battles yet!
Stay updated by visiting Red Bull’s official website and following their social media channels on [Facebook], [Instagram], and [TikTok].
