UP Pep Squad and the sweetest victory ever!

It’s been a while since the last time UP had the championship title in cheerdancing and yesterday’s winning was just really uplifting. It’s an event that every Isko and Iska looks forward to every year. We may have scored 0-14 in basketball (which is not surprising anymore as it happens every year) but we definitely have what it takes to win in the cheerdance competition.

I only got to watch it live on Studio23. I wasn’t able to join my college friends as they witness the action live at the Big Dome. I still enjoyed it though - with my hubby. We were like ultimate rivals as we cheered for our bet - laitan in a major major way. And the funny thing is, we don’t talk against each other - we tweet against each other. I personally think that’s sweet.

Now going back to the real deal, I’d like to share my personal opinion on the performances yesterday:

University of the East - it looked like they weren’t prepared to perform at all.

University of Santo Tomas - they’re consistently good. Every year, UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe never fails to impress the crowd with their fierce and strong moves. It actually scared the UP spirit in me, haha!

De La Salle University - it bored me to death. that’s all I can say.

Ateneo de Manila University - it wasn’t as good as last year. I don’t know what happened. I was kind of confused with their floor play. And there’s this news spreading all over twitter that Ateneo was disqualified for the unauthorized use of the Twitter bird, which I personally don’t think is true. I mean, what the hell?! But overall, I still like the Blue Babble Battalion. I think they’re cool - may it win or lose.

Far Eastern University - I agree with my hubby when he said that FEU came to win - all geared up with their Chinese warrior inspired costumes and high ponytails, haha! Their performance went beyond being good. The routines, formation, floor plays, liftings - were awesome. Pero hindi pulido. Hindi masyadong maglinis. They were parts when they seemed in a hurry to do the next routine. It was obviously a pressure-motivated performance.

University of the Philippines - (trying not to sound biased) I was honestly surprised with the hala-bira theme. Their costumes reminded me of town fiestas with all the banderitas on the waistline. But when they finally hit the floor - it was like jaw-dropping. It was far from being awesome. It was GREAT! It’s inventive/ingenious/innovative. The routines were flawlessly executed. And I could really see the winning spirit in their eyes. The whole performance was creatively conceptualized. I totally loved it - and the sunflower pompoms too. Haha! UP FIGHT!

Adamson University - it was just okay. That’s all I could say.

National University - as my hubby’s cousin said, “mukha silang superheroes.” It’s such a funny remark but I can’t blame her because I personally didn’t get the idea of wearing a cape… you know as a cheerdance costume.

While waiting for the results to be announced, I remember my hubby teasing me, “kinakabahan ka ‘no?!” My response… I just gave him a blank stare. And when UP was finally hailed as champion for this year’s competition, I cried. Like literally. I cried out of extreme happiness. I shouted my heart out. It was a breaking free moment. Despite the not-well-funded status of UP Pep Squad.. they still shared their victory to many of us - not just to their fellow Isko and Iska - not only to the University - but to EVERYONE. One of my friends who went to watch at Araneta that UST cheered for UP when the announcement was already made. Now that’s the real spirit of UAAP - sportmanship. Not rivalry among universities.

Salamat UP Pep Squad for giving all of us the sweetest victory ever. Mabuhay! UP FIGHT!