For UP Pep Squad, rainbow flag at UAAP cheerdance 'a symbol of hope'

While waiting for the results of the cheerdance competition, the University of the Philippines initiated a display of unity among the UAAP schools.

The UP crowd passed around a large rainbow banner to the audience and encouraged each university to do the same, cheering them with their respective school chants. The banner circumnavigated the Araneta Coliseum stands before returning to UP.

The rainbow flag is strongly associated with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) movement, but UP Pep Squad coach Pio Opinaldo said that the team has a different interpretation.

"'Yung rainbow kasi di ba it's a symbol of hope. We want to give each one a sign of hope," Opinaldo said. "'Yung pagpapasa nung banner, sobrang naiyak rin ako kanina kasi parang it's really a sign na na-achieve namin 'yung gusto naming iparating sa audience."

In line with the equality theme of their routine, the female and male members of the UP Pep Squad reversed their roles, wowing the crowd as the females lifted the males for the pyramids.

"I think nakagawa na naman kami talaga ng bagong trend. I think we surpassed 'yung mga previous na routines namin because of this," Opinaldo said.

UP finished first runner-up behind the defending champions National University, but Opinaldo said they are contented with their own achievement.

"Mas masarap din sana if we get the championship back pero wala na kaming magagawa dun," Opinaldo said. "We just have to be happy kung ano yung na-achieve namin for this year."

"And I guess having the almost perfect run and then having a solid performance this competition, achievement na rin talaga for me." - RAF/JST, GMA News