UP PEP SQUAD: A repeat of a 3peat

1. Laban UP -- (Photo Courtesy of an Iskolar ng Bayan)

2. Indescribable victory as the UP Pep Squad felt the joy of FREEDOM

Freedom!
Freedom!
Ating itanghal
Dangal at karunungan
UP!
Isang malayang UP!
Isalang malayang - UP!
U! 

This is the time of the year when the word “STILL” sounds so magical!

Yesterday, September 22, 2012, the University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad grabbed the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Cheerdance Competition (CDC) 2012 Championship (AGAIN!) held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City. It was their third straight title and eighth overall in that competition (1999, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012).

I only experienced to watch the UAAP CDC Live at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City during my last year (2008) as a UP Undergraduate Student. Since we were not able to get CDC tickets ahead of the competition day, we ended up falling in line at the venue around 2:00 AM. Yes, we were there as early as 2 o’clock in the morning! And for your information, at that time, the line was already long! That was my first and hopefully not my last watch of UAAP CDC live.

Every year, UP never fails to surprise us with their styles and routine. From being blonde last year, they ALL get bald this year! Hands down to all of them especially for the UP Pep women! When I say ALL, it means every single member of the UP Pep Squad even those who were not part of the competing team. What happened to their hair? The UP Pep Squad donated their hair to cancer patients, and also to those with Alopecia as part of the Alopecia Awareness Month. INSPIRING, isn’t it?

UP Pep Squad’s theme this year was about FREEDOM. They have always showcased through their routines the culture we have and enjoyed in UP. From the UP’s distinct symbols such as the Oblation, the Sablay (the sash we wear on our graduation, instead of a Toga), and even our Ikot and Toki (jeepneys which routes are only within the UP campus); to our culture which emphasizesFREEDOM, EQUALITY, and UNITY. As what Professor Lalaine Juarez-Pereña (Coach Lala) said during the team’s prayer before the competition yesterday,“Thank You for bringing us to a university that gives us freedom to be who we are.. We are lucky to be in a university that allows us to look the way we want, gives us freedom to be creative..”

UP Pep Squad captain Irish Planes also shared the message they want to deliver to the crowd, “We just wanted to let everybody feel free, feel free to express themselves, their thoughts, their actions. And through our dance we just wanted to free everyone.”

Above is the video of the UP Pep Squad’s Routine during the 2012 UAAP Cheerdance Competition. (Source: YouTube)

Their routine was superb and somehow close to perfection due to that last-second FALL during their final Oblation lift as one of the cheerdancers lost her balance. Well, as what Howie Day said: “Even the best fall down sometimes.” At this moment, please allow me to use, as part of our title, our one-year BRAGGING RIGHTS! ;)

Anyway, yesterday’s competition was really close between the UP Pep Squad and the Far Eastern University (FEU) Cheering Squad. In all fairness to FEU, it was really a FLAWLESS jungle-themed routine! Kudos, FEU! You really did a great job!

But in my honest opinion, the difficulty level in terms of the UP’s stunts and techniques made us bagged the title. :)

Moving on, I forgot to mention that it was actually a GRAND SWEEP (same as last year) for UP as we also won the Group Stunts competition

(Here’s the link for UP Pep Squad’s performance during the Group Stunts competition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYTlzPeO65s&feature=plcp)

and the Samsung Stunner award for Nicolette Erika Ambulo.

Well, BALD is the new sexy! ;)

CONGRATULATIONS, UP PEP SQUAD! Thank you for the inspiration you have shared with us through the years. You are making me cry again. :’) You really made us so proud!

CONGRATULATIONS, UP! We MADE 8 HAPPEN! :)))