UAAP Cheerdance Competition

Infobox sports league
logo=uaap logo.gif
pixels=100px
sport=Cheerleading
founded=1995
teams=8
country=PHL
champion=2008 UP Pep Squad
TV=Studio 23

The UAAP Cheerdance Competition is an annual one-day event of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines for cheerleading. However, it does not count in the tabulation to determine the UAAP Overall Championship.

Studio 23 received the right to televise the UAAP Men's Basketball. Along with it came the coverage rights of the annual UAAP Cheerdance Competition. The hosts of the event usually start with an audience roll call. After each participating university's name is called, the audience from that school chants their most popular cheer along with their official drummers. However, the dancers of their respective pep squads are not yet shown to the audience and televiewers until their performance. The sequence of the roll call are random and solely the discretion of the hosts or producers. The sequence of the performance are determined by drawing of lots prior the competition.Fact|date=September 2007

University of Santo Tomas has the most championships (8) followed by University of the Philippines (5)Ruth L. Navarra (2007-09-17), [http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=86638 "Champions of Cheer"] , "Philippine Daily Inquirer". Retrieved 17 September 2007.] , which is the current defending champion. Since 2003, only University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, and Far Eastern University have landed on the top 3 spots.

The 2008 Samsung UAAP Cheerdance Competition is the most attended UAAP event with a record-breaking 23,443 paying audience.

Cheerdance vs. Cheerleading

The UAAP Cheerdance Competition has set criteria for judging usually composed of choreography, synchronization, degree of difficulty, audibility, and costume. These criteria are similar to those provided in dance competitions. This makes cheerdance different from cheerleading competitions like the National Cheerleading Championships.

Cheerdance is the fusion of cheering and dancing. It began when the UP Pep Squad incorporated dance moves in their routine back when the competition focused on cheering.Fact|date=October 2008 The competition requires competing squads to perform a specified number of stunts and dance sequences such as pyramids, tosses, partner stunts, transitions, and dance routines. The University of Santo Tomas sends the Salinggawi Dance Troupe to compete for cheerdance since their official pep squad comprises a drumline, boosters and male cheerleaders (the UST Yellow Jackets). In 2008, De La Salle University-Manila sent a new squad called the DLSU Animo Squad. It was formed specifically for cheerdance competitions. It is a collaboration of existing groups in DLSU namely, the DLSU Pep Squad, the LSDC Street Dance, and the LSDC Jazz. The University of the Philippines used to send their Filipiniana Dance Troupe in the competition prior to the formation of the current UP Pep Squad.

Participants

Notes:
*fnb|a - In 1998, UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe did not join the competition
*fnb|b - De La Salle University was suspended in 2006 and was not allowed to join the competition.Adrian Carlo Velasco (2006-07-08), [http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife01_july08_2006 "SCHOOL WARS: Let the games begin"] , "Manila Standard Today". Retrieved 17 September 2007.]

Championships per school

UP - UST rivalry

Being the only teams in the UAAP to actually win the competition (where all UAAP-member schools are present to compete), University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas were caught in a rivalry through its official cheerdance teams: UP Pep Squad and UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe.

Head-to-head status

UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe had the most number of wins, with eight (8) championships as opposed to five (5) of the UP Pep Squad. UST holds the most consecutive victories at 5, which they achieved from 2002 to 2006. The largest point differential between the two teams is 8.03 by UP in 2008, followed by 4.90 also by UP in 2001. UST's largest lead over UP was 3.38 in 2002, when UP finished 3rd.

Both UP and UST broke their rival's streak after landing on the third spot. In 1999, UP won the title after being placed in third in 1998. UST was able to regain the title in 2002 after being a third placer in 2001. UP again took the championship title in 2007 after finishing third in 2006.

Chronology of events

The UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe won the first three years of competition from 1995 to 1997. They did not join the competition in 1998 [#fn a| [a] . The rivalry between the two squads began in 1999 when UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe returned to reclaim the title after their year of absence. However, they only finished second behind UP Pep Squad. In 2001, UP Pep Squad matched the record of UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe's three consecutive wins.Ruth L. Navarra (2007-09-17), [http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=86638 "Champions of Cheer"] , "Philippine Daily Inquirer". Retrieved 17 September 2007.] In 2002, UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe regained the title while UP Pep Squad finished third. The next three years had UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe in first place and UP Pep Squad as runner-up. In 2006, UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe received their eighth title with five consecutive victories; UP Pep Squad finished third. UP Pep Squad regained the title in 2007 and defended it in 2008 with the highest score gap between the Champion and 1st runner-up in the history of the competition.

Popular cheers

UP's popular cheer is "Unibersidad ng Pilipinas" while UST's is "Go USTe". Usually held in Araneta Coliseum, the UP crowd clap hands over their head while chanting their cheer. On the other hand, UST crowd waves either their yellow hotdog balloons or their right pointing finger in circular motion while cheering.

Firsts in the competition

#Dance moves - In 1998, the UP Pep Squad incorporated dance moves in their cheering routine thus leading to the eventual transformation to the "Cheerdance" competition.Fact|date=October 2008
#Official uniforms - In 1999, the UP Pep Squad used pants for both boys and girls as their cheerdance uniform.Gabby Libarios (2006-09-09), [http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife01_sept09_2006 "Class of 2006"] , "Manila Standard Today". Retrieved 17 September 2007.] Later in 2003, they also first used shorts as uniform for both boys and girls. In 2001, the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe started using one piece full-body (with long sleeves and pants) costumes for both boys and girls.
#Canned music - In 2000, the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe used canned music, an alternate to traditional drums and snares, in their cheerdance routine.
#Unified theme - In 2002, the Ateneo Blue Babble Batallion and the UE Pep Squad were the first to incorporate a unified theme all throughout the routine.
#Sound effects - In 2002, the Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion, the DLSU Pep Squad, and the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe used special effects or sound compliments.
# Transition techniques - In 2007, both UP Pep Squad and UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe replaced jogging with marching steps in between transitions of their respective routines.
# Special performance - In 2008, A Samsung All-Star routine was presented before the announcement of the winners. An all-star team, called the "Dream Team", was composed of 3 members from each of the participating universities in the said competition.
# Special award - In 2008, the sponsor of the competition awarded the "Samsung Stunner" to Frances Fleta of the UP Pep Squad.

quads and their notable attributes

Adamson Pep Squad

# Carousel toss. Introduced in 2006, the carousel toss is considered as the Adamson Pep Squad's signature toss.Fact|date=October 2008

DLSU Animo Squad

# Traditional Cheers. The squad has never altered their schools cheers. Since 1995, they have been using their traditional cheers as part of their routine.
# Inspired Costume. In 2003, the squad has used a costume that has resemblance to an archer's uniform. In 2005, the squad's costume is inspired by a military uniform.

UP Pep Squad

# Opening cheer. Since 1999, the UP Pep Squad begins with either a shout of or the entire cheer of the ""Unibersidad ng Pilipinas" in their routine. Usually, they perform stunts, tosses, lifts and pyramids to introduce their main routine. In 2005, they introduced the ""Pagbaybay" cheer followed by the "Unibersidad ng Pilipinas". In 2008, the "Unibersidad ng Pilipinas" cheer was rearranged to align it with the "tribal theme" of the routine.
# The Oblation. The Oblation pose has been UP Pep Squad's symbol of freedom into their routine since 1999. In 2008, they incorporated a 2-high "Oblation Pyramid".
# All male stunts/pyramids. Since 2003, all male cheerleaders performed a stunt or pyramid in the middle of their routine.
# Innovations. They usually introduce new stunts and pyramids in every year of the competition. In 2008, they incorporated a "Kick Double Full Twist" toss and "Tic-Toc" stunt.
# Sport and dance themes. The squad incorporated a particular sport or dance as part of their routine: "Tae Bo" (2000), "Synchronized Swimming" and "Arnis" (2001), "Jump Rope" and "Tap Dance" (2002), "Sports Aero" and "Mindanao Folk Dance" (2003), and "Yoga" and "Samba" (2005).
# Unified theme. Since 2007, they used unified themes for their routines: "Gothic Rock" (2007) and "Ethnic" (2008).

UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe

# Opening words. Their routines start with distinctive opening words: "Attencion!"" (2003); "Attention, attention..."" (2005); "Are you ready to...?"" (2006); "Let's Get It On!"" (2007); "Ladies and Gentlemen..."" (2008).
# The Zigzag pyramid. They introduced this pyramid since the beginning of the competition in 1995. This pyramid varies each year in number of person involved, height, form, and mounting technique.
# Fast pyramid formation. They were known since 1995 as the fastest pyramid building squad. They are usually able to build 2.5-high pyramids in no more than six counts. In 2003, they were the only cheerleading group in the Philippines who were able to mount a 2.5-high "Inverted Pyramid" in six counts. In 2007, they were able to mount a 2.5-high "Wolf Wall Pyramid" in one count.
# Basket tosses. They introduced variations of basket tosses which were seen in the competition for the first time; "Swan Dive" (1995); "Full Twirl" and "Full Twist""Jermae: The Amazing Salinggawi Baby", "Barkada Magazine Vol 20 No. 1 June-July 2006." Retrieved 09 October 2008.] (2003); "Full Turn Straddle" (2004); "Roundoff Layout Step-out" (2005); "X-Factor", "X-Out", and "X-Out Full Twist" (2006); "Two and a Half Full Twist" (2007); and "Double Toe Touch" and "Kick Full Twist" (2008).
# The Pirouette. This ballet move was introduced in 2003. The dance troupe performs it on or before the last minute of their routine.
# The Chair. This partner stunt has been a staple element in their routines since 2004. In the years 2002 and 2003, it was also performed but only as part of their final pyramids in the end of the routines.
# Consecutive winning representation. They incorporated "2 Full-Twirl Tosses" in their 2003 routine to represent their bid for a back-to-back title, "3-Man Propeller Toss" in 2004 for their bid to get a 3-peat title, "4-Man Shuffle Toss" in 2005 for their bid to get fourth straight title, "Superman Walk" in 2006 to bid for their fifth consecutive win, and "Bowling Stunt" in 2007 for their bid to snatch a double grand-slam.
# Huge Banners. They have been using huge banners as props in their routines. The banners are usually colored black, gold, or a combination of both, and are usually revealed in the closing part of the routine. In 2004, it was torn in half to reveal the dancers beneath it. In 2005, dancers poked out from its holes. In 2006, it displayed a tiger on top of the UST Main Building. In 2007, it appeared as two huge flags bearing the logos of Samsung and UAAP. In 2008, it again appeared as flags bearing the last two lines of the UST Hymn: "Ever you valiant legion" and "Imbued with unending grace."
# Inspired costume. They used costumes patterned to Hollywood feature films: "Happy Feet" (2006), "Bee Movie" (2007), and "Drumline" (2008).
# "Go USTe!" closing cheer. For the third year in a row since 2006, they ended their routine with its most popular cheer - "Go USTe!". The cheer was performed with its traditional choreography. As the group exits, the squad points to the UST audience.

Campaign slogans and themes

Ateneo de Manila University

# Wild Wild West theme (2002) - The squad sported a cowboy look.

De La Salle University

# Military theme (2005)
# Futuristic theme (2008)

Far Eastern University

# Blazing Tamaraws theme (2008)

University of Santo Tomas

# The Real Champions are Back (2002) for their bid to regain the title.
# Back 2 Back (2003) for their bid to have a back-to-back title.
# Balik sa Naka-GAWI-an: Three-Peat for UST (2004) for their bid to have another three-peat.
# Roar 4 More (2005) for their bid to have an unprecedented and controversial four-peat.
# Jive for Five (2006) for their bid to have an unprecedented five-peat.
# Tuloy ang Naka-GAWI-an: UST, This SIXTH It! (2007) for their bid to snatch a double grand-slam.

University of the East

# Extreme Sports (2002) - The squad incorporated extreme games in their routine.

University of the Philippines

# Back 2 Back (2000) for their bid to defend their title. They used plain maroon for the front and plain green for the back of their uniform.
# UP's Back (2003) in a failed attempt to regain the championship.
# UP Rocks (2007) with Gothic rock-themed costumes and music.
# Tribo UP: Sugod (2008) for their defending routine theme with tribal music, cheers, costume, and movement.

Notable Flaws

# In 2007, DLSU Pep Squad misspelled "La Salle" and instead it erroneously showed "VL Salle", where the letter "A" was inverted.
# In 2007, a flyer of UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe failed to finish her stunt that made their pyramid incomplete.
# In 2008, one of FEU Cheering Squad's pyramids collapsed.
# In 2008, only UST's introduction video has no audio. Only a video was shown during the telecast.

References

ee also

*NCAA Philippines Cheerdance Competition
* [http://www.rpsports.com/photos/search.aspx?gid=490 UBelt.com Cheerdancing Photo Gallery]

Bold text