The DLSU Animo Squad: Let’s make some noise, La Salle!

The dribbling of basketballs and the voices of the ten players on the court are the usual sights and sounds of the Enrique Razon Sports Complex’s 9^th floor. Yet, if one journeys down two floors, you’re bound to hear cheerleaders chanting, dancing, lifting, and even flying to great heights in the air.  If you transported the scene to the MoA Arena, it would have the crowd screaming in both fear and wonder for the majestic feats; but then again, this is just another day in the office for the DLSU Animo Squad.

“The Lasallian Animo is a strong force and is present in every Lasallian,” says Animo squad head coach Andro Garde.

A member of Animo Squad from 2003 to 2007, Garde has come full circle since his time with the team, highlighted by his tenure as the squad president on his graduating year. “After graduating, I was brought back as a coach in 2008 and I’m still here,” shares Garde.

As the main source of inspiration for both the crowd and teams that play during games, the Animo Squad takes pride in their work ethic and dedication. Practicing on a daily basis, some members even take time off on Sundays just to make sure that come game day, they can help provide that elusive “sixth man” presence during games.

From “Yell Commanders” to the “Animo Squad”

Back in UAAP Season 71, the UAAP Cheerdance Competition flourished as the Araneta Coliseum was filled with a 23,443-strong sellout crowd that flocked to witness the competition, the highest recorded attendance for the competition yet. Yet, despite the growing attention the competition has received, the DLSU Animo Squad has yet to win a championship in the Cheerdance Competition.

Established in 1926, the Animo Squad was originally called the “Yell Commanders”, and grew out of an initiative coming from the students. Despite their humble beginnings, the squad grew in numbers as the years went on. Starting off as an all-male squad, they eventually accepted female members with a little help from a school a few steps away.

“The exact year escapes me as of the moment but along the way it found it’s first female members coming from the neighbouring school St. Scholastica,” adds Gardo.

When DLSU switched from the NCAA to the UAAP, the squad also changed their name to the “DLSU Pep Squad.” It was then in 2008 when then OSD director Br. Bernie Oca, FSC renamed the squad into its current incarnation, the “Animo Squad”.

Dissecting the Animo in the Animo Squad

The DLSU Animo Squad takes pride in the distinctiveness of their team in terms of personalities and skill-set, yet they still manage to stay united as one squad. When asked about their fellow members of the squad, they simply reply, “We’re like family,” and members depend on each other whether or not the situation is directly related to the squad. With this kind of relationship amongst its members, it is no surprise that the members of the Animo Squad always seem to be having a great time together.

Moreover, the Animo Squad imposes a type of relationship wherein the walls between rookies and veterans are non-existent. Team chemistry is a vital factor to any team’s success and the Animo squad’s chemistry is definitely seen in their performances.

“Every member of the squad reflects the outcome of the game,” says Animo Squad member Gian Betia (II, AE-LGL).

Aside from the UAAP Cheerdance Competition, the Animo Squad competes in numerous competitions all over the Philippines such as the prestigious National Cheerdance Competition. To foster the Animo spirit within the Lasallian community, the squad started the “Pump Up the Animo”, an annual cheering competition among the different colleges in DLSU. Now on its sixth year, the competition aims to generate the spirit of competition and help the students discover the spirit of Animo within themselves.

“With almost every college winning the championship at least once,” Garde notes, “the competition is always strong every year.”

A bright future ahead

As the UAAP Cheerdance Competition approaches, the Animo Squad has been constantly training to improve from their fifth place finish in last year’s edition of the competition. Hoping to eclipse their school-best first runner-up finish two years ago, through Gardo’s guidance, the squad is raring for a chance to make some noise in the competition once again.

“Mas magiging stronger [kami] kaysa last year, iba na yung team so expect to have the best animo squad this year,” the mentor confidently adds.

Gardo ends by saying, “We’re there when our athletes need that extra push when they’re down. We’re there when they’re winning to show our support and appreciation for them. Sometimes the support of Lasallians cheering their teams on is the only thing our athletes need to hear so they keep on fighting until we get that win. Hearing that sea of green believing in you will make you do great things.”