HAVING watched live UAAP games every single season of my college life, my view of cheerdancing has changed. It’s more than just about another dance routine, it’s more than just another memorized scream.

One with the crowd

UAAP games are worth coming to, despite long lines and notorious ticket hunts, for the feeling of screaming and singing your lungs out with your schoolmates. The beat of drums taking over the beat of your heart is a wonderful feeling. It’s school spirit all the way.

“Pagod na ako!” my friends and I would tell each other during the games. It’s tiring standing up for several minutes, fist-popping and shouting for another successful shot—much more when the other team is winning. But then we would see our dancers gesturing for us to cheer and we would hear our university’s band playing.

Automatically, we would stand up from our seats and chant as loudly as we can. One could easily feel the sense of community heartfelt cheering brings. During such moments, the feeling of exhaustion is forgotten.

Unrelenting support

“Ang suporta, manalo, matalo, nandun ka,” my mother quipped while watching the Cheerdance Competition. I couldn’t agree more.

Cheerdancers, they’re a staple in college athletics. Whether or not their team is losing, they are present in stadiums donning their uniform with smiles on their faces. They invite the crowd to chant and empower the athletes.

While some fans may be disheartened when victory seems lost, cheerdancers can easily revive fading school spirit.

Many thanks

Cheering—it’s not really about who wears the better uniform, who dances better, or who wins or loses. It’s about exuding the confidence needed to show fans and players that whatever happens, a “win” is within reach. It’s about sticking to your team and bringing optimism no matter what.

For the ones who have always been in the games, both in times of winning and losing, thanks. Cheers to you who cheered! An exciting college life cannot be without you.


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