CEBU CITY. – For a while, the accomplished dancesport husband-and-wife duo of Michael Angelo Marquez and Stephanie Sabalo had to put their flourishing career on hold when Michael Angelo battled a head tumor in mid-2022 that threatened their quest for excellence.
But with prayers and perseverance, the husband underwent a successful operation late last year — the tumor turning out to be benign — and steadily worked his way back into competitive shape with the help of his wife.
The couple continued to make their successful comeback in front of a hometown crowd last Saturday night by bagging the silver medal in the World Dancesport Federation Cebu Open Latin event at the grand ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug here.
Displaying dynamic chemistry and verve, Marquez and Sabalo finished second in the samba, cha-cha, pasa doble and jive and third in the rhumba for a total of 11 points behind the fancied and world-ranked Spanish pair of David Diaz Falcon and Denis Beccari, who topped all segments for five points.
Another Cebuano pair, Wilbert Aunzo and Pearl Marie Caneda, settled for the bronze medal with 16 points in the event backed by the Philippine Sports Commission that drew 1,400 entries from 26 countries.
