Bring it on! What to expect at UAAP Season 88 cheerdance

MANILA, Philippines – Usually one of the hottest tickets in the varsity calendar, the UAAP Season 88 Cheerdance Competition (CDC) looks to showcase more than just a fun spectacle, but also the schools’ grit and social voice, making this year’s showdown bigger than just a battle of routines.

Carrying the league’s call “Passion for Victory, Passion for Integrity! No to Corruption!,” here’s what to look forward to at the UAAP cheerdance on Saturday, November 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Anti-corruption statement

In a move that follows numerous anti-corruption halftime performances in this season’s basketball games, the UAAP urged cheerdance fans to wear white to express dismay against the corruption in the country. 

This follows the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ call to wear white as a unified stand for accountability.

“Cheerdance can also be a platform,” said UAAP Season 88 president Fr. Rodel Cansancio of host UST. “We are inviting fans and supporters of the CDC to wear white. It has been approved already by the Board of Directors. We have decided that all member schools to ask our alumni, fans, and supporters to wear white.”

Cansancio added that the UAAP will open the program with a special anti-corruption cheer.

“It has been decided that they will do a cheer before the actual performances of the [schools], so that’s for the part of the UAAP,” he said. 

Unique themes

As usual, the competition will also burst to life with each school’s distinct theme. 

The UP Pep Squad will open the competition with a Filipino Christmas-themed performance, followed by the UE Pep Squad’s High School Musical-inspired routine. 

After a notable runner-up finish last season, the Adamson Pep Squad will touch on the topic of “exploration,” while La Salle’s Animo Squad will deliver a baseball-themed number. 

The Ateneo Blue Eagles will wrap up the first half as they bring their own interpretation of the animated movie “Sing,” before defending champion NU Pep Squad goes fifth with a ninja concept. 

Looking to turn back the clock, the FEU Cheering Squad will put childhood Filipino games on center stage, before season host UST, through its Salinggawi Dance Troupe, closes out the show with a Halloween-themed performance. 

The performance order is based on UAAP’s hosting rotation. 

International certified panelists

According to UAAP cheerdance commissioner Paula Nunag, there will be internationally certified judges and local judges who will evaluate every squad’s cheerdancing skills, including tumbling, pyramids, stunts, and tosses. 

Dance judges will also score the performances to ensure every aspect of the routine is scored accordingly. 

“It’s five to six minutes, and everything can be happening all at the same time,” Nunag said. “We make sure that the judges see every bit of it.”

– Rappler.com