The loud and the proud: The Animo Squad Drummers

Every team has its own fan base that rallies behind them throughout the season. Within that fan base lies a spirited group of people that ignites the energy within the crowd. For the Lasallian community, it is the Animo Squad that sets the tone in every match, fueling the electric atmosphere inside the arena.

With DLSU reigning as the overall champions of the UAAP, the Animo Squad looks to continue inspiring the school’s athletes in defending their title. However, there is more to the Animo Squad than meets the eye. People see the cheerdancers and their dynamic moves but the beat they dance to isn’t made through pre-produced audio; it comes from the relentless efforts of the Animo Squad Drummers.

The LaSallian caught up with Jet Reyes, who heads the Animo Squad Drummers, for an in-depth look into the life of their drumline.

Big commitments, big responsibilities

The Animo Squad consists of dancers and drummers; each of them playing a significant role in being the “sixth-man” in every La Salle game. The dancers and leaders are the halftime performers, serving as guides for the crowd in cheering the traditional chants and yells of the University. As for the drummers, they provide the rhythmic beats that initiate the school chants through the blaring bass and the piercing snares.  The drummers also attend other games apart from the usual basketball and volleyball to support the DLSU athletes. “Kahit walang drums, for example sa table tennis and taekwondo walang drums doon. Kahit walang drums we are also considered as cheerleaders pero more on drums lang kami so kahit ganon pumupunta kami sa games para magcheer,” Reyes says.

Other than cheering on the Green-and-White during competitions, they also perform in various gigs. The squad is also hopeful this year as they compete in the National Cheerleading Championship’s drumline competition. Reyes mentions, “[F]or example may lumapit sa amin [at sinabi na] ‘Perform kayo sa ganito, perform kayo sa ganyan.’ So kami maghahanda kami ng piece ng drumline performance para doon sa gig.”

The shows they perform in are just one facet of their life in the squad. Trainings take up a huge chunk of their weekday evenings, while a UAAP game or two in a given week could also sneak into their jam-packed schedule. After [training] yung iba sa amin nagdidinner, yung iba naman diretso na uwi. Ako since dito lang ako sa Taft nakacondo, sumasama ako sa mga dinner so makakauwi na ako mga 10 or 11 [pm],” Reyes says on their full schedule.

Heart and passion

The journey of an Animo Squad drummer really begins with training. First, one must spend weeks working with the team, practicing strike forms, producing beats, and working on their conditioning, all with having no concrete assurance of making the cut. The applicants start getting cut depending on how the seniors assess their long-run outlook since the main objective of the tryouts is finding someone who has the heart to stay for a long time and not for the short while.

“Hindi pwede yung one year ka lang, hindi pwede yung dadaan ka lang, kailangan magstay ka talaga for a very long time,” Reyes emphasizes. Once the final cut is done, the newly inducted members face hell week, where they finish challenges given by their seniors around the University.

This, however, is only the beginning. Getting in the Animo Squad is one thing, staying in the Animo Squad is another. In order to achieve this goal, one must have heart. The trials and tribulations in being a member is not for the faint of heart. Discipline and commitment are the key elements in being a drummer for the Animo Squad. Their daily schedule is made up of balancing training, academics, and being present in games and like every Animo Squad member, the traditional cheers have to be embedded in every part of your body. “Pag sinabing Animo Squad ka, dapat alam mo yun, dapat alam mo yung Rektikano, Bumakaya, Zama zipa zam,” Reyes stresses.

The term “weekend” is not a part of their vocabulary, since most of the UAAP games and the gigs they have are held during weekends. Time spent sleeping and bonding with family will have to be sacrificed for the greater glory of the University, but somehow, they manage to replace time spent away from family by having dinner together as a team. “Kasi pag wala kang discipline di mo talaga magagawa eh. Physically maiiwan ka, tapos sa acads din di mo siya mababalance so babagsak ka talaga.” Reyes says.

There is definitely something deeper in every word the crowd chants on the sidelines. Behind the clamors of “Animo La Salle” are the unsung heroes who embody the Animo spirit on and off the arena, be it in their homes, in the classroom, or during training. With each beat on the drum, the sound of passion and the hard-work they put in day in and day out tremble along with their shouts. They aren’t called the few, the chosen, the loud, and the proud, for nothing. After all, Reyes says, “Pag wala kang puso, di ka talaga tatagal.”