Their respective schools? rich history and community spirit can be seen in their sport
SAN BEDA ALABANG HIGH School Pep Squad, Angelica Consulta, 16, Team Captain

Cheer dancing has always been a passion for students of San Beda Alabang. During the school?s annual Fiesta ng Sto. Niño, the high school cheering competition is always a much-watched event.

From love of batch and school, the high school varsity squad was formed. Inspired by San Beda?s winning tradition and under the tutelage of Coach Ajjie Mendelebar the team has won three straight WNCAA Cheerleading titles.

?The kids are fun to work with,? says Coach Ajjie. ?They have enthusiasm; they appreciate each other, and are always willing to explore new things. The girls have learned to love the sport even though it?s hard because they enjoy what they?re doing.? It boils down to having the right attitude, he adds.

Having female cheerleaders is a new experience for San Beda, which was once an all-boys school. But the Alabang HS squad has showed what a coeducational environment can contribute to San Beda?s rich and colorful 108-year tradition. The squad continues to evolve but still remains true to its Bedan roots. In performing, it does not just carry the name of the Alabang sister school but the whole of San Beda.

Ateneo de Manila University Blue Babble Battalion, Sari Campos, 21, Team Captain

?Hearts over trophies,? says Team Captain Sari Campos, is what the Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion is most proud of. As their second place win in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition proves, ?our hearts drive us to bring out the best among ourselves.?

?We always assure that we do every single move with our hearts more than anything else. By doing so, everything else follows,? she adds.

Each routine is also done for their love of their alma mater and for God. ?Our oneness as a team and as performers for God? is what?s most important, says Sari.

UP Pep Squad, Lexi Noval, 20

The UP Pep Squad, more popularly known as the UP Pep, never fails to amaze the crowd with their unique routines, praiseworthy technique and stellar performance every year.

?We always show something new every year in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition,? says Lalaine Pereña, who has been coaching the UP Pep Squad since 1998. Somehow, this squad manages to always bring something new to the table; it now has five UAAP Cheerdance Competition championship titles under its belt.

Having competed internationally in the Cheerleading International Open this year and placing first in the regulation category and third in the international mixed group category, the squad has not only brought pride to our country, but has also shown the creativity and talent of Filipinos to foreign audiences.

UST Salinggawi Dance Troup, Sky Bautista, 21, Team Captain

The SALINGGAWI (Salin Ng Mga Dating Gawi at Lahi) dance troupe is ?best known to be the jack of all trades when it comes to dancing,? says Sky Bautista, Salinggawi Captain. However, having won eight championship titles in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition, this squad is certainly not ?the master of none.?

The group makes it a point to try all styles such as folkdance, ballet, jazz, and hip hop.

The squad?s strength lies in its versatility. ?The originality that we incorporate in our moves makes us the crowds favorite each year,? says Sky. ?Keeping the tradition, discipline and humility of the group is what sets us apart from other dance groups. But most importantly, we always have the heart to fight like a true Salinggawi.?

De La Salle Zobel Pep Squad, Ma. Patricia Blanch Cui, 17, Team Captain

?It gives me a great feeling,? says Pat, current captain, to ?dance in front of a lot of people.? Especially when it involves La Salle Spelling, Zama Zipa Zam, Boom-ma-kaya, Haydee and Rektikano?five of the most well-loved cheers that proud reflecting the La Sallian community?s school spirit.

Zobel?s rich cheering history began in 1984, and has won admiration?and countless awards?for its cheerleading excellence since then.

The inter-batch cheering competition, which is the perfect training ground for great homebred talent, is the ?most coveted and most awaited event in each school year,? says Moderator Leah Tumlos. With the squad?s yearly UAAP, WNCAA and Town Cheers stints, its routines remain grounded on the same principle passed on by earlier generations: be?and?stay original.

With Zobel?s iconic hand movements, synchronicity and live music, it rightfully owns La Sallian cheering.