UP alumna Sen. Grace Poe impressed by whole field in UAAP cheerdance

Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares can handle long MRT lines and packed train cars, but watching death-defying stunts can make her nervous.

The lady senator watched the UAAP cheerdance competition on Sunday to root for her alma mater University of the Philippines, but she said was impressed by the level of stunts of all teams.

"Very impressive, ibang klase 'yung mga stunts. Ninenerbiyos ako," the senator said.

Poe, who attended UP Manila in college, held a UP banner saying "pantay-pantay" as she watched the competition.

"Para sa akin, magaling ang UP, magaling rin ang NU. Pero halos lahat sila may unique performances na pinakita."

The senator, however, could not help but admire the rise of the National University Pep Squad to the top with the help of support from the school.

"Nakita naman natin na talagang sa mga nakalipas na taon bigla sila talagang bumulusok. Ibang klase pag merong magandang suporta," Poe said.

Poe also appreciated the gesture of the UP crowd to pass the large rainbow-flag to the rest of the audience, cheering for each school touching the cloth.

"Kakaiba nga sa akin 'yun e, maganda dahil lahat sumalo, it doesn't matter [who]," Poe said.

UP initially passed the cloth among the Maroon audience while waiting for the results, but eventually passed it to the neighboring Ateneo crowd. The flag circumnavigated the coliseum before it returned to the UP audience in a display of unity among the eight UAAP schools.

"Kagaya nga ng sinabi ng UP pantay-pantay. Pare-pareho lang naman tayo, we're all rooting for the same thing na sana 'yung ating team ay manalo," said the senator.

"Pero the important thing is the sportsmanship, and what the schools have come together to show because of their hardwork and determination." - RAF/JST, GMA News/Photo by KC Cruz