MANILA, Philippines?The weekly reality talent search show ?Shall We Dance? on TV5 recently got a major makeover.

Its studio in Novaliches, Quezon City, underwent renovations, too, to complement the new format.

?We have a bigger dance floor,? associate producer Nelson Alindogan told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. ?The studio audience is now encouraged to dance, and we made room for that.?

Alindogan said the new set is divided into three parts?dance floor in the center, judges? area on the right side and a nook on the left where the hosts do their spiels.

The show, now in its 8th season (in 3 years) has Lucy Torres-Gomez as host, with Victor Basa and Jon Avila.

Hip-hop, too

This season, the competing teams are performing ballroom, hip-hop, jazz and contemporary dances. For this, there is a new set of judges, as well: Ednah Ledesma (ballroom); choreographer Douglas Nierras, (contemporary and jazz); Jay Masta (hip-hop); and Regine Tolentino.

When Inquirer visited, Gab Valenciano and partner Jasmine Nabelgas performed a hip-hop number. Mickey Perz, of ?Pinoy Big Brother,? did a tango with Rainne Trinidad.

Jopay Paguia of Sexbomb Dancers danced the rhumba with Mark Cruz. Danilo Barrios and Stephanie Sabalo did a jazz number, and Saicy Aguila, also from PBB, had a hip-hop number with Johnny Amar.

Noted Lucy, ?The contestants this season are real dancers, so expectations are higher.?

?Shall We Dance? airs Sundays, 9 to 10 p.m.

Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph