COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND DESIGN’s One Shade Dance Troupe went home triumphantly in the 18th Cheermania which was held in the Quadricentennial Pavilion last January 25 as they bagged the first place together with three special awards.
With an average score of 114 points, One Shade stole the crown from the three-time defending champion, Commerce Cheering Squad, which placed second this year with 107 points. Last year’s second placer, Cheermania Science Team, ranked third with 97.5 points.
They were the last performer, but definitely not the least.
One Shade, wearing their skin-tone unitards matched with their college color and colorful fruit headdresses, astounded the crowd as they executed their routine themed after Davao’s Kadayawan Festival.
The troupe received loud cheers as the audience applauded them after performing their breath-taking stunts, pyramids, choreography and formations, all done creatively. Unlike the other participants, they did not commit major errors in their stunts.
Among the five major awards, One Shade got three: Best in Costume, Best in Stunts, and Best in Choreography. Pharmacy Dance Troupe was given the Most Popular Group award while the Intenzync Danzerge (College of Tourism and Hospitality Management) won the Sportsmanship award.
Other participating groups were Engineering Pep Squad, College of Education’s Rhythmyx Dance Troupe, and Faculty of Arts and Letter’s AB Dance Synergy.
Unexpected victory
From seventh place last year, One Shade made it to the top, conquering seven other colleges.
One Shade Cheer Captain Nicole Rapadas said that they did not expect to win because they finished their routine only a day before the competition.
“’Yung nagpanalo sa amin is ’yung fighting spirit and ’yung tiwala talaga,” she said while tightly holding the big trophy in her arms.
She added that being the new champion was so ‘overwhelming’ for they were at the bottom last year. One of the major improvements they made was the costume because they did not have costume previously so “pinagbutihan namin ngayon,” she said.
Rapadas said that it was “perfect”—from the costume to the execution of the routine, that nobody fell in the stunts, and more importantly, the presence of every one in their team.
“Sa CFAD kasi, sobrang hirap ng operation namin, ang kalaban namin plates, nagpupuyat kami. Mahirap makumpleto pero sa cooperation ng lahat, nagawan naman ng paraan, na-push naman,” the cheer captain said.
QPav marker, Salinggawi, and the Yellow Jackets
Simultaneous with the opening of the Cheermania, the unveiling of the Quadricentennial Pavillion marker was held, where Rector Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy O.P., Ph.D and Vice Rector Rev. Fr. Richard V. Ang., O.P. were in attendance.
The unveiling was headed by the Fr. Dagohoy himself, the event graced by faculty members and UST alumni who tirelessly aided in achieving the University’s goals. He stated that being in a premier University, the UST Quadricentennial Pavillion will serve as a point of reference in athletic excellence.
Before the winners were revealed, the Salinggawi Dance Troupe livened up the crowd with their Rio Carnival-themed cheerdance routine performed during the UAAP Cheerdance Competition.
On the other hand the Yellow Jackets had something entirely different in store for the crowd as they amused onlookers with their comedic antics, along their own version of ‘cheering routines,’ and pop dance like ‘Gangnam Style’ and the local novelty hit ‘Chacha.’
Huge improvements
Students’ Organizations Coordinating Council (SOCC) President Benjamin L. Ravanera III said that the Cheermania held this year improved in an entirely different level, the annual competition usually being held at the Plaza Mayor was now moved to a better venue.
“We went with a UAAP approach. We had our own courtside reporters, a different venue… It was really better than last year,” said Ravanera.
By Gherrylle Anne R. Ombina and Mia Rosienna P. Mallari
