The UAAP Season 87 Cheerdance Competition (CDC) presented a spectacle of jaw-dropping routines before a 19,121-strong crowd yesterday, December 1, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The eight stalwarts of the UAAP returned to the blue mats with a mesmerizing spectrum of themed performances, bringing in a new summit to Philippine cheerdance. Despite a valiant gambit, the DLSU Animo Squad could not reach checkmate, settling for seventh place for the fourth consecutive year after garnering 525 points, a decline from last year’s 555.5 points.
The NU Pep Squad were hailed champions of the blue mats after garnering 712 big points, snatching their eighth crown in 11 years and tying for the winningest team in the UAAP’s CDC history alongside UP and UST. Coming in for the first runner-up title was the AdU Pep Squad, who returned to the podium after two years, tallying 679.5 points. After a gold-clinching performance last season, defending champions FEU Cheering Squad were dethroned, but still put up a good fight as they cement a bronze finish with 650 points.
Opening ovation
Akin to how everything in the universe started, the UAAP cheerdance competition kicked things off with One Big Bang from the ADMU Blue Babble Battalion in their stellar universe-themed routine. Sporting blue and magenta satin outfits that sparkle like the night sky, the Blue Eagles warmed the crowd up through a cosmic performance with better tosses and pyramids—albeit error-plagued tumbling—to the beat of electronic dance music, while incorporating psychedelic silk props that mimicked comets. Despite an improved routine from last year’s edition, the Katipunan-based squad settled for their fourth consecutive last-place finish with 490 points.
Following an explosive opener by Ateneo, the UE Pep Squad continued the groovy festivities with their colorful homage to the iconic Pinoy dance movement ignited by VST & Company’s “Sumayaw Sumunod.” The Recto-based squad wasted no time with a fast-paced start and some quick transitions in their tosses and pyramids, shedding light on the campy dance cultures of the SexBomb Girls, all while incorporating the staple “Bomba Na!” battle cry. Boasting deep red showgirl costumes, the Red Warriors pricelessly concluded their million-dollar performance error-free until the end, barely shying away from a podium finish at fourth with 641 points.
A few streets away from Recto is the España-based UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, who brought the spectators back to childhood with their Batang Pinoy-themed routine characterized by 90s-inspired tunes and staples. Akin to a preschooler’s time at the playground, the Growling Tigers danced to nostalgic beats such as “Pamela,” “Nanay Tatay,” “Sayaw Kikay,” and “Sineskwela” while donning yellow and white collared shirts, high overalls, above-the-knee shorts, and pastel lunchboxes. Emanating good vibes through their child-like expressions and movements, the Salinggawi Dance Troupe wowed the crowd with domino tosses and never-before-seen pyramid launches that earned them fifth place with 634.5 points.
The halfway point is at San Marcelino, where the AdU Pep Squad proved why optimal Filipino leisure is singing through a karaoke-themed routine stamped with colorful tie-dye outfits, curly hairdos, and disco energy. Hyping up a crowd sparkling with flashlights, the Falcons truly soared with synchronized lifts and tosses and innovative pyramids, while amusingly incorporating sound effects and voices that remind of the karaoke experience. Dancing in rock-and-roll fashion with microphone props—grooving to Karaoke classics by Sampaguita, The Corrs, Parokya ni Edgar, ABBA, and Billy Joel—the Adamsonian flyers ended their energetic routine as they joyfully took home the silver medal.
Fairytale ending
The season’s hosts UP Varsity Pep Squad got the ball rolling in the second half with a refreshing and uplifting sunshine theme, decked out with Philippine-colored polo shirts and puffed sleeves embellished with ruffles and sunflower details—a nod to the Isko symbol. Despite starting with stunt errors and jumbled transitions, the Diliman mainstays graced the crowd with their sun-orbiting formations, poppy dances, and Oblation-inspired poses through the beats of “Pantropiko” by BINI, “Umaaraw, Umalan” by Rivermaya, and “AMAFILIPINA” by Marina Summers. Shrugging off the December cold by bringing the summer heat to the venue, the Fighting Maroons finished sixth overall after chalking up 560 points.
Launching all the way through space from Jhocson St., the eventual champions NU Pep Squad brought an out-of-this-world performance with their extraterrestrial-themed routine. In astronaut fits and platinum blonde buzzcuts and bobs, the electrifying Bulldogs quickly yet flawlessly displayed their difficult stunts with high-flying pyramid launches and fast-paced transitions to techno remixes of pop classics such as “E.T.” by Katy Perry and “Break Free” by Ariana Grande. As if not enough, they revealed themselves as blue and gold space creatures with ingenious UFO umbrellas as they turned their performance up a notch with highlight moves such as fan-like spins and innovative base-to-base launches. The paragon routine brought NU back to its winning traditions—bagging all special awards such as Best Toss, Best Aerial Performance, Most Synchronized Team—and the golden crown altogether.
Following the season’s champs were the Taft-based flyers from the DLSU Animo Squad, who brought the crowd to an intense game of chess with their daunting black-and-white hair and outfits. With a sassy mood set by their compelling entrance, the Animo Squad began their green gambit with steady transitions, easy tumbles, and creative pyramids shaped like chess pieces, though immediately plagued with execution errors. However, in awe-inspiring chessboard formations, the La Salle refused to back down as they offered the crowd a captivating performance through their contemporary dance routine through emphatic renditions of “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry, “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye, and “Kings & Queens” by Ava Max. In their ultimate move, the Green-and-White ended strong with an X-shaped formation characterized by the hallmark Archer stance to be ranked seventh overall.
After an exhilarating adventure through the different worlds of cheerdance, this season’s chapter was closed out by the highly anticipated Frozen-themed performance of the defending champions: the FEU Cheering Squad. Gliding through the Kingdom of Arendelle with Scandinavian outfits in green silk and gold linings, the Morayta-based crew brought Elsa and Anna to life with high-flying tosses, snowflake formations, and complex pyramids as they set out on a musical journey featuring hit songs “Let It Go,” “Into the Unknown,” and “For the First Time in Forever.” Feeling the Disney magic, the crowd went wild as Olaf and Sven made their presence known in the homestretch of the routine. Despite a heroic effort to clinch back-to-back titles, several errors and inconsistencies cursed the Tamaraws with only a second runner-up honor.
Stronger, Better, Together
Closing this year’s CDC as the seventh-ranked team, DLSU Animo Squad’s Team Captain Isabelle Vera Cruz shed light on the team’s main goal to embody the UAAP Season 87 slogan “Stronger, Better, Together” by showing the results of their months of perseverance as a tight-knit team. Despite several setbacks and challenges leading up to the epitomic day, Head Coach Ramon Pagaduan IV commended the team’s hard work and dedication to complete their routine with flying colors.
“Year after year, they really fight hard for the routine and the [preparation]. And lalo na itong batch na ito, sobrang bigat kasi nung mga dinadala namin recently, so sobrang happy ako na linaban nila iyong routine,” Pagaduan shared.
(And especially with this batch, we are recently going through heavy times, so I am very happy that they fought through with the routine.)
Still on the lookout for a better placement, the DLSU Animo Squad shall return to the blue mats with a new stunning concept and an improved routine in hopes of ending their 11-year skid off the podium come UAAP Season 88.
