Cebuana freestyler is Red Bull Dance Your Style '25 national champ

Samantha Frances Rivera, a.k.a. Nemesis, was declared this year's Red Bull Dance Your Style National Champion during the finals held May 24 at Ayala Center Cebu. She is the first Cebuano to represent the Philippines at the global rounds, the 2025 edition of which is happening this October in Los Angeles, California, one of the birthplaces of freestyle dancing.

- By JANUAR JUNIOR AGUJA

It was a Cebu vs. Cebu showdown at the Red Bull Dance Your Style 2025 National Finals held Saturday, May 24, when Baby Titan and Nemesis faced off on their home turf, battling with freestyle moves to a medley of High School Musical's “We’re All in This Together,” KATSEYE’s “Gnarly,” and Chris Brown’s “Yeah 3x.”

Just before the heavy downpour could halt the competition at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu, Nemesis (real name Samantha Frances Rivera) was easily declared the champion as audiences voted in her favor with their red and blue fans.

It was third time’s the charm for the 28-year-old from Barangay Guadalupe, who is the first Cebuano to represent the Philippines at the global round of Red Bull Dance Your Style. This year’s international tilt is happening in October in Los Angeles, California — one of the birthplaces of freestyle dancing.