International dance champion from Abra: The story of Barcena, a factory worker in Taiwan

FEATURE

Abra, Philippines - By day, Marc Harold V. Barcena works as a factory worker in Taiwan, balancing long hours at work with his passion for street dancing. Beyond the demands of his job, however, Barcena continues to pursue his passion for dance, proving that work and limited training time have not stopped him from taking his craft to the international stage.

The 26-year-old native of Calaba, Bangued, Abra recently represented the Philippines with HyperGround PH in Taiwan, where the team won the OSTA Open to All 2026 and placed 1st runner-up at the 2026 Taichung Cup International Street Dance Championships.

Finding passion through movement

In an interview with Guru Press, Marc Barcena shared his inspiration for pursuing dancing, he recalled how his journey began in Grade 6 and eventually developed from an early interest into a passion for street dance.

“I started dancing when I was in Grade 6, around 11 years old. At that time, I auditioned for the Abra Cultural Assembly and became one of the group dancers representing the province of Abra, where I was involved in contemporary and ballet dance. As I got older, I became interested in hip-hop and started learning different street dance styles. I later became one of the OG members of Street Kings,” Barcena said.

He also added that he was fascinated by the creativity, energy, and freedom that street dancing offers, highlighting that the support of his family, friends, and team motivated him to take dancing seriously and continuously improve his skills.

“I was fascinated by the creativity, energy, and freedom that street dance offers. Watching talented dancers perform inspired me to learn and improve my skills…as I gained more experience, I realized that dancing was more than just a hobby it became a passion,” he added.

Balancing work and training

Despite his passion for dancing, Barcena noted that balancing work and training was one of the biggest challenges he and his teammates faced while preparing for the competitions in Taiwan, with their work schedules leaving them limited time to practice together.

“One of our biggest challenges was balancing work and training. Since all of us have jobs, Sundays were usually the only time we could practice together. Despite being tired from work, we stayed committed and managed our time well with teamwork, discipline, and dedication, we overcame these challenges and proudly represented the Philippines in Taiwan,” he shared.

Bringing pride to Abra

For Marc Barcena, the achievements in Taiwan were more than just competition results, he viewed them as the fruits of years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication, while also bringing pride to his hometown, family, and supporters.

“These achievements mean so much to me because they feel like the fruits of years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. As a dancer from my hometown, I am proud to show that talent can come from anywhere…winning and placing on the international stage showed me that with determination and perseverance, dreams can become a reality. It is also a way of bringing pride to my hometown, my family, and everyone who supported me throughout my journe,” Barcena said.

Looking back, Barcena added that he hopes to continue improving as a dancer, to compete in more national and international events, and also use his experience to inspire young dancers in Abra to pursue their own dreams while giving equal importance to their education.

“My goal is to continue improving as a dancer, compete in more national and international events, and inspire others through my passion for dance. To the young dancers in Abra, never stop believing in your dreams. Stay disciplined, work hard, and be patient with your progress. There will be challenges along the way, but if you remain dedicated and passionate, opportunities will come. Don’t also forget the importance of your studies because education and dance can go hand in hand, and both can help you build a better future,” he conveyed.