Eight overseas Filipino workers who make up Dubai-based dance group FlavorVibes DXB have claimed the top prize at the Dubai Open Championship – UDO Middle East 2026, securing a coveted slot to represent the United Arab Emirates at the UDO World Street Dance Championships in the United Kingdom this coming August. The win places them among an elite group of qualifiers from across the globe who will compete at one of the most prestigious street dance competitions in the world.
The Dubai Open Championship – UDO Middle East 2026 was held on April 18 at GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis in Dubai. The one-day event was open to dancers from all countries and all skill levels — from beginner to advanced — across disciplines including Street Dance, Commercial, Contemporary/Lyrical, Musical Theatre/Jazz, and an open category covering styles such as Ballet, Tap, Cheer, Bollywood, and Acrobatics. The competition served as a regional qualifying ground for the UDO World Street Dance Championships, scheduled for August 12 to 16 in the United Kingdom.
What makes FlavorVibes DXB’s achievement particularly striking is who its members are. None of them are professional dancers by trade. The group is made up of Deejay Alvarez Rivera, a sales officer; Jayson Zafra Hingo, an actor; Marc Daniel Bernardo, a sales officer; Raymond Jake Pelaez, a sales officer; Martin John Layosa, an investor; Arnold Lorenzano Alvarez II, a host; John Michael Custodio Magno, a waiter; and Albert Del Rosario Dominguez, a ticket collector. Like hundreds of thousands of Filipinos living and working in the UAE, each of them holds down a full-time job while pursuing dance on the side.
Their preparation for the competition was built on sacrifice. The group carved out rehearsal time between 11 PM and 2 AM — the only hours available after work — to develop the routines that ultimately brought them the championship. “We feel blessed and overwhelmed because all of our hard work paid off. We are proud to represent the OFW and Filipino Dance Community here in Dubai,” the group said following their victory.
With their UAE qualification now confirmed, FlavorVibes DXB will travel to the UK in August to compete at the UDO World Championships, an event that draws qualifiers from across the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The world-level competition features categories for dancers of all ages and abilities, alongside workshops led by top industry professionals. For FlavorVibes DXB, the stage will be a rare opportunity for OFW performers to stand alongside the world’s best — not as workers, but as champions representing both the Philippines and the UAE.
