The recognition of breaking, commonly known as breakdancing, as an official Olympic sport has energized local advocates worldwide. For Hosen S. Ngilay, a dedicated cultural worker and police officer based in General Santos City, it was the signal he had long been waiting for. His dream of making GenSan the epicenter of the Philippine breaking movement is finally gaining momentum.
"We used to see breakdance on street corners and public plazas. Now it's part of the Olympics. I truly believe Filipinos can shine in this sport," Ngilay shares.
Breakdance, also known as breaking or b-boying/b-girling, is a dynamic street dance style that emerged in the Bronx, New York, during the 1970s. Rooted in hip-hop culture, it combines rhythmic upright movements (toprock), ground-based footwork (downrock), acrobatic power moves like windmills and headspins, and expressive freezes.
Breakdancers perform to funk, soul, and hip-hop tracks, particularly those with “breakbeats,” which inspired the name “breaking.” The genre grew from grassroots gatherings into a global community centered on style, skill, and creativity.
Today, breakdancing has evolved into a full-fledged sport, recognized globally and featured in the 2024 Paris Olympics. This transformation has given it a formal platform, inspiring structured training programs and competitive events. As both an art form and an athletic discipline, breakdancing bridges cultural expression and physical prowess, making it a powerful medium for youth engagement, especially in communities where movement and music thrive.
Ngilay is the founder of the Breaking School of GenSan, currently the only dedicated breakdancing school in the Philippines. As a pioneer, he partnered with Robinsons Place GenSan to launch the RMalls Academy Breakdancing Clinic, offering classes for kids and teens eager to learn the sport. Classes run every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5 to 8 PM, with hopes to expand the initiative across other Robinsons Malls nationwide.
The school will officially launch on August 16–17, 2025 with a dance workshop on Day 1 and a performance showcase on Day 2. It adopts a module-based approach that formalizes breakdancing as a sport. Through a collaboration with DepEd GenSan, the school is also able to train students from selected pilot schools across the city. Most of its enrollees are participants in the Special Program for the Arts (SPA) at the elementary and high school levels.
Ngilay’s students were part of Team GenSan in the 2024 Batang Pinoy (Philippine Youth Games) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. They brought home 2 gold medals, 3 silver, and 2 bronze in breakdancing. Their success solidifies Ngilay’s hope that the sport will soon be included in mainstream national competitions, especially following its debut in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In June 2024, during the 87th Regular Session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Ngilay, along with PCpl Jose D. Dullano III and Jan Robert Acharon, received an official commendation sponsored by Councilor Elizabeth B. Bagonoc. The honor recognized their exceptional efforts in introducing breakdancing to the youth and promoting it as an emerging sport.
Before founding the school, Ngilay was a scholar of Teatro Ambahanon in 2005 and underwent training at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) under his mentor Jay Masta. Upon returning to GenSan, he began cultivating the regional breakdance scene, conducting free workshops across Soccsksargen and organizing grassroots events like D Break GenSan.
Yet, during that time, breakdancing faced limited support, prompting many young dancers to shift toward other careers. Now, with two decades of advocacy behind him, Ngilay finds renewed hope in the sport's formal recognition.
“Breaking has finally earned the spotlight it deserves,” he reflects. “I hope more sectors come together to help push the industry forward.”
.png)
0 Comments