The Philippines Takes Championship Title at the
“High School Musical: My School Rocks! Asia Finals 2008”
HONG KONG (August 30, 2008) – A resounding roar shook Hong Kong Disneyland today
as the Philippines team was named Champion of the “High School Musical: My School
Rocks! Asia Finals 2008”, bringing the exciting summer long competition to a dazzling finale.
Dancing and grooving to funky music, the final five teams, Hong Kong’s ‘YCH 2 Dance’,
Malaysia’s ‘BU4Girlz.com’, the Philippines’ ‘Janssen Knights’, Singapore’s ‘Funky Dance
Crew’ and Chinese Taipei’s ‘Twist Girls’ – battled in a show of intricate moves, costumes
and hip attitude that had the crowd screaming for more.
Judges included Monique Coleman who played the character Taylor McKessie in “High
School Musical”; Jennifer Lawrence, Choreographer and Associate Show Director of Hong
Kong Disneyland; Joseph Liu, Regional Director, Brand Marketing of Disney Channel Asia
Pacific; as well as William Yip, Artistic Director and Director, EXCEL’s 2008 Summer Musical
School of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
Olesya Rulin, who played Kelsi Nielsen in “High School Musical,” along with Monique were
present to cheer on the teams. Monique also took part in the opening performance with the
Wildcats Cast Members.
“The Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is delighted to be able to help these talented individuals
from all over Asia-Pacific fulfill their dreams right inside the Park,” said Sarah Fox, Director,
Marketing Product Strategy of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. “The ‘High School Musical: My
School Rocks! Asia Finals 2008’ competition is based on the idea of expressing yourself,
following your dreams, believing in yourself and celebrating family. The performances and
especially the team work that we saw today, are testament to those values, which are at the
heart of the Disney brand.”
Joseph Liu, Regional Director, Brand Marketing of Disney Channel Asia Pacific said, “Ever
since Disney Channel launched the ‘My School Rocks!’ concept, we have not only provided
youth in Asia with the unprecedented opportunity to express their creativity, imagination and
innovation, we have immersed them in the ‘High School Musical’ experience like never
before. As we continue this all-new Disney tradition, we will work closely with Hong Kong
Disneyland to bring totally immersive and interactive experiences to our viewers and
Guests.”
As their ultimate prize, the Philippines team has the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dance
with the High School Musical: LIVE! Cast Members at Hong Kong Disneyland tomorrow.
Teams were judged on their choreography, showmanship, props & costumes and teamwork
& sportsmanship.
“We are very happy to win the ‘High School Musical: My School Rocks! Asia Finals 2008’. It
was a dream come true to be able to represent our country and dance in front of Guests
from all over the world at Hong Kong Disneyland. We encourage everyone to believe in
themselves and to always follow their dreams.” said Julia of the Philippines team.
-more-
Disney Channel will televise a special on the five finalists and on the “High School Musical:
My School Rocks! Asia Finals 2008” across the region on Sunday, September 21, 2008, at
7:00pm (Hong Kong time).
“High School Musical: My School Rocks! Asia Finals 2008”, an Asia-wide school dance
competition, was inspired by the popular Disney Channel Original Movies “High School
Musical” and “High School Musical 2”. In Hong Kong, enrollment began in May and students
submitted videos of their choreographed performances online, for the public to vote on. The
performances used selected music from the “High School Musical” original soundtracks. On
the day of the finale, the most popular local team competed against top teams from other
Southeast Asian countries and Chinese Taipei. The first competition took place in 2006 and
has now become an annual Asia-Pacific event.
The “High School Musical: My School Rocks! Asia Finals 2008” is sponsored by Silkygirl and
Kumon.
For more information about Hong Kong Disneyland or the “High School Musical: My School
Rocks!
Asia
Finals
2008”,
please
visit
www.hongkongdisneyland.com
or
www.disneychannel-asia.com.
###
About Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort offers immersive, unique Disney experiences for all families,
generations and ages to enjoy. Hong Kong is one of only five locations in the world that is
home to a Disney themed park and the many Disney characters that are beloved the world
over, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Stitch, Buzz Lightyear and many others. The Resort opened in
September 2005 and since then, has received over 10 million Guests from all over the world.
Through the unique product offering and the world-class service provided by the 5000-strong
Cast at the theme park and the two hotels, the Resort has received outstanding Guest
satisfaction ratings and a range of awards from the hospitality and entertainment sectors.
Hong Kong Disneyland is dedicated to serving Hong Kong people through a wide spectrum
of community services programs from helping those in need to encouraging the protection of
the environment in the region. Visit us or click on to www.hongkongdisneyland.com for more
information.
About “High School Musical”
The first movie, “High School Musical,” made its debut in January 2006 on Disney Channel
U.S., and has now been seen by 250 million total viewers worldwide. “High School Musical
2” premiered on Disney Channel U.S. in August 2007 and attracted the largest audience
ever for any basic-cable telecast with an initial viewership of 18.6 million. It has now been
seen by over 179 million total viewers around the world.
“High School Musical” themed shows have also proven to be popular at Disneyland Resort
in Anaheim, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong
Disneyland. In fall 2006, Disney Theatrical Productions adapted the teleplay for local school
production, and it was projected that 2000 schools produced the stage version by the end
of 2007. “High School Musical: The Concert,” featuring original cast from the Disney
Channel movies, played to capacity crowds with engagements in over 40 cities last
winter and a five country Latin American tour in spring. Last September, Disney and Feld
Entertainment launched “Disney’s High School Musical: The Ice Tour,” with three companies
scheduled to play more than 100 cities around the world in the first year. “Disney’s High
School Musical On Tour!,” a live Broadway-style stage experience that captures the
excitement and music of the films, is currently playing across the country and is produced by
Disney Theatrical Productions.