Filipino dance groups VPeepz, UPeepz proud to bring home wins from South Korea

Filipino dance crews VPeepz and UPeepz continued their strong showing on the international stage after securing top spots at the inaugural International Dance League (IDL) Seoul Community Division in South Korea.

VPeepz emerged as the Junior Division champion, while UPeepz placed second in the Adult Division. Another Philippine crew, Bawz, finished third in the Adult Division.

The competition was held on Aug. 1 at the Kyung Hee University Grand Peace Palace in Seoul, bringing together junior and adult dance crews from across the East Asian region.

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For UPeepz co-founder and mentor Niko Francisco, the results were particularly significant because it marked the first time Filipino teams competed in the IDL.

“Bringing home wins just shows how Filipinos can win and excel in any dance competition,” Francisco told Inquirer Entertainment. “We hope that, as dance continues to grow as a competitive discipline and gain greater recognition, there will also be more support and resources for dancers representing their countries.”

The IDL is billed as the world’s first global professional dance league. Its Community Division is held alongside the league’s professional events, giving junior and adult crews opportunities to compete alongside international professional franchises.

UPeepz director and head choreographer Chips Beltran, meanwhile, said the latest wins continue the group’s goal of putting Filipino dance talent on the global stage.

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“Every year for the past 11 years, we have brought home international titles and medals for the Philippines, without fail,” Beltran said. “One of my main mottos is to put the Filipino dance talent on the global map.”

“It has been the goal ever since — that we are the best in the world at what we do, and that we can compete with dancers not just from the West, but from around the globe,” he continued.

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The Seoul event’s Pro Series featured Jam Republic of Southeast Asia, 1MILLION of South Korea, Brotherhood of Canada, GRV of the United States, Quick Style of Norway and Royal Family of New Zealand.

Filipino dancers were also represented in the professional division, including six homegrown Filipino dancers on Jam Republic and dancers of Filipino roots on Brotherhood.

Beltran acknowledged the strength of Korean and Japanese dancers, particularly their discipline, but said Filipino dancers have another advantage: heart.

“These are first world countries we are competing against, with little to no problems with peripherals such as visas, dun pa lang olats na tayo eh (we are already lacking from that area). But Filipino dancers have heart,” he explained. “Once we set a goal for ourselves, we do everything that we can to reach that goal.”

Both VPeepz and UPeepz prepared for about four months for the IDL competition, while continuing to participate in other events throughout the year.

According to Francisco, the teams also competed at World of Dance Philippines and the Philippine Hip Hop Dance Championship while preparing for a fundraising concert.

Beltran said expenses for flights, accommodations, costumes and transportation were shouldered by the dancers and organization without government assistance.

VPeepz, the youth-varsity team of UPeepz, consists of members aged 18 and below. The group has competed internationally since 2017, while UPeepz was founded in 2011 and began representing the Philippines internationally in 2014.

Francisco said UPeepz aims to prepare its young dancers not only for performances but also for the different aspects of pursuing dance as a career.

“We want VPeepz members to realize that there is a future in dance, and a chance to excel in anything if given equal opportunities,” he said.

Beltran, on the other hand, encouraged aspiring Filipino dancers to dream big and enjoy the journey.

“Do not be afraid to reach heights you’ve never imagined,” he said. “It all starts with a dream. Have the courage.”

VPeepz members are given opportunities to choreograph, teach classes, design costumes, train in multimedia arts and marketing, organize events and learn about finances.

The organization also maintains a scholarship and support program for deserving VPeepz members, which may provide airfare for competitions and housing support for provincial dancers during competition seasons.

The IDL Seoul competition marked the end of UPeepz and VPeepz’s competition season, with the teams recording wins in five competitions this year, according to Francisco.

UPeepz will continue working professionally through shows, guest performances and commercial projects, while its director and choreographers continue coaching locally and internationally.

The group is also preparing a homecoming concert, the third edition of its choreographers’ showcase “Spotlight,” and the return of its dance battle series “PvP” (Peep vs Peep) in the fourth quarter. /ra