'Triple Crown' turns UP cheerdancers into 'Pep Squad Ng Bayan'

2011 wasn't just the year of their blonde makeover. From dominating collegiate and national competitions to making a mark in an international tilt, 2011 could be the University of the Philippines Pep Squad's most accomplished year to date. "It is the first time for the team to win three medals in one year (Philippine National Games, UAAP Cheerdance Competition, and Cheerleading World Championships) and we are all very grateful for everything that we achieved in 2011," said UP Pep Squad co-captain Laurence Bautista.

This triple victory could hail the team as the country's best cheerleading group, but UP Pep Squad coach Lalaine Pereña said that they "do not really aim to be the best team." "We just want to be really happy and contented with whatever routine we come up with and at the same time make our audience, most especially the UP community, very happy," said Pereña. "Maybe they (supporters) are the people who consider us as the best pep team. It's also because of them why we work hard and always strive for perfection." This was also the year the entire squad decided to bleach their hair blonde, a painful process that fortified their team spirit and also made a visual impact during their routines. Pep Squad Ng Bayan   Donning the country's colors once more, the UP Pep Squad scored a third place finish at the 6th Cheerleading World Championship's (CWC) Cheer-Mixed Category in November. "We do work hard to achieve the best that we can get for every competition that we join in or even just to be able to give the best performance for every show that we do," said Pereña. Her team is no stranger to international competitions: They placed third in the mixed-dance category (first under international regulation category) at the 3rd Cheerleading Asia International in 2009, and some members saw action in the same tilt in 2008, and the Asian games in 2002. But the CWC saw the UP Pep Squad sharing the mat with participants from beyond Asia. UP also led the national team which included members from the Centro Escolar University Lady Scorpions and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Stars Cheerleading Team, who were runners-up to the UP Pep Squad during the Philippine National Games in May. "(We feel) honored but pressured," said UP co-captain Kae Madrigal in an interview before the team left for the CWC in Hong Kong. Named as the overall captain of the Philippine team, she said "There are lots of people to handle, but I still have the captains of PUP and CEU to help me out." UAAP dominance UP Pep Squad earlier stamped its legacy at the UAAP Cheerdance Competition this year, defending their crown with a game-changing Madonna-inspired routine that gave them their 4th championship in 5 years and seventh overall.   "I chose the theme right after last year’s competition,” shared Pereña to GMA News Online after their back-to-back-win in September. She admits that Madonna was her "favorite artist." “Our goal is to reach as much people as we can. Madonna is so popular and we know that with our routine, we inspired a lot of people," added Bautista. Their back-to-back win prompted Azkals team manager Dan Palami to invite the team to perform at halftime during the nationals' friendly against Nepal, and again against David Beckham's LA Galaxy.   Coach Pereña shared that Palami was a "supporter and friend of the UP Pep Squad," and that it would be the team’s first time to appear in a football match outside the UAAP. "We were quite amazed with the scene, the set-up, the security, the classy atmosphere, and of course the Azkals," said Pereña. The UP Pep Squad also got to meet the national football team over dinner after the game. "Cheering for Azkals was a thrilling and fun experience for the team since we performed for a different set of audience," shared Bautista. "With this, the team felt pressured as we were expected to boost the spirit of our national team and the morale of their supporters." Now with seven title wins under their belt, the UP Pep Squad is just one UAAP win away from leveling University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe's eight championships.   Resetting the standards In a cheerdance competition a few years ago, a huge banner wrote "Ang Pep Squad ng Bayan" was raised at the UP gallery. The moniker stuck. Now with victories in three different levels of competition, the UP Pep Squad has gone from being the State University's energy booster to the nation's pride. "It is a great privilege and honor to lead the team in bringing pride not only to our University but also to the whole country," shared Bautista, who, unlike his teammates, joined the squad without any cheerleading background. "The country can expect the best from the UP Pep Squad," he added. Despite being a foreign sport, the team has given it a Filipino flair. Fiesta and tribe-themed routines routines brought the UAAP title to Diliman in 2008 and 2010. And they’re not going to hold back in 2012. "We will try as always our very best to give another different, exciting and unique routine in the UAAP CDC 2012," said Pereña. "Hopefully, that will please the UP community and all our supporters, friends and families, and make them proud as ever." Bautista said that they are training very hard for their title defense. "As we have set standards in cheerdance year after year, our supporters can expect that those standards will again be reset next year.” 2011. meanwhile, remains to be a memorable year for the UP Pep Squad. "We got a lot of those wonderful opportunities this year," said Pereña. "This batch was at the right time and the right place. It was really a great 2011 for UP Pep Squad." — JVP/HS, GMA News