Davao's POD Krew & Nike on ASAP Supahdance Off

BY: NINO A. CALAMBA, RN


It is with great pride that true blue Davaoeños are now again making their very own way to stardom by means of dancing. Davao talents always proved to be a stand-out in the national showbiz arena ever since. The likes of Erich Gonzales, Juris, Bangs Garcia, Kriselle, and many others are now permanent personalities on national television as they display their God-given talents, giving more honor and prestige to Davao City, the ‘land of promise’ where they all came from.

Now, on ABS-CBN’s ‘ASAP Rocks’ comes yet another milestone for Davaoeño talents. The ASAP Supahdance Off aired every Sunday during noontime features our very own P.O.D Krew and Nike as part of the top ten finalist fighting off to become ASAP Rocks’ supah dancers.

The P.O.D. Krew (Pride of Davao) and Jannike “NIKE” Calunsag are products of Jaz Up Danz Crew which has made dancing an avenue for young people in Davao City to build self-confidence and be able to express their creative minds and skills freely through dancing. Jaz Up Danz Crew was organized by Jhoey Zulueta, an ABS-CBN dance contest alumnus in Star Dance many years back. He is also the main choreographer of the said group.

P.O.D. Krew is a dance trio composed of Jabar Umpar, Ayana Quiros Merquita and Stephen Rey Estilo. Jabar Umpar is a former senior choreographer and fitness trainer of the UM Fitness & Wellness Centre. He graduated Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at the University of Mindanao as a working scholar, utilizing his blessed talent and skills in dancing by performing and sharing it to his fellow students at the University of Mindanao Fitness and Wellness Centre.

Equally excellent dancers, Ayana Quiros Merquita and Stephen Rey Estilo have been actively dancing with the Jaz Up Danz Crew all over Mindanao before they luckily form part of the P.O.D. Krew and eventually bagging a spot in ASAP Supahdance Off’s top ten finalist, chosen from among numerous dancers all over the country.

On the other hand, Jannike “NIKE” Calunsag performs as a dance soloist in the ASAP Supahdance Off. Two of our pride in the ASAP Supahdance, P.O.D Krew and NIKE, have already gone a long way in the dance contest. They have braved two elimination rounds and still remain strong contenders in the contest, making them part of the remaining six finalists of the ASAP Supahdance Off. They will again face the challenges next Sunday on ASAP Rocks and aim at besting other contestants in order to make all Davao people proud of their own local talents.

P.O.D Krew performed an impressive acid jazz dance during their first week on the contest, which was powered by Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance. While Nike had a remarkable performance of flawless dance acrobats on high heels, prompting celebrity judges to express their amazement of his courage to be unique in his performance and the way he looks.

During their latest performance last Sunday, P.O.D Krew interpreted a funny story on love triangle with-a-twist in their pop dance rendition. Meanwhile, Nike almost scared off the celebrity judges with his lyrical contemporary jazz dance, but was able to pull it off after successfully delivering the message with his remarkable facial expression and deep internalization of the music and lyrics as he performed. Both Nike and the POD Krew got a ‘Supah Go!’ from the judges, a slang term used by celebrity judges if they like the performance and would want the dancers to stay in the contest.

In order for them to stay in the ASAP Supahdance Off for more weeks, POD Krew and Nike need our support and assistance as fellow Davaoeños. We can vote for them by logging in at www.asap.abs-cbn.com. Click P.O.D Krew and Nike, the pride of Davao City in ASAP Supahdance Off. Watch out for them next Sunday on ASAP Rocks as they perform on another dance challenge with Hip-Hop and Ballroom Dancing!

P.S. Special thanks to Jabar Umpar for the photos!