UP’s Cheer leading Team won first place in the prestigious Samsung Cheerdance Competition on September 17 in back-to-back fashion, now bringing their title total to 7, just one crown away from the University of Santo Tomas with 8. At the same competition, the UP Pep Squad took home all the other awards to be won: the first crown of the inaugural Samsung Group Stunts Competition and the Samsung Stunner of the Day title, care of “blonde” looker Nezsa Salvador.
Still sporting that sensational platinum blonde hair and peppy attitude, the UP Pep Squad arrived 100-strong at the restaurant formerly known as Panciteria San Jacinto in Pasig. The platinum blonde look completed the Pep Squad’s Madonna-inspired number where they executed their trademark throws and athletic moves — a perfect combination of athleticism and creativity. UP College of Human Kinetics Dean Leilani Gonzalo, former Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Grace Gregorio, head coach Lalaine (Coach Lala) Pereña and assistant coaches NJ Antonio and Pio Niño Opinaldo accompanied the team.
Comida China, (owned by the Torres Family who also run Mom and Tina Bakery Cafe and the Red Rickshaw in San Fernando, Pampanga), pulled all the stops as they pay tribute to the back-to-back champs. “Such a significant achievement deserves to be celebrated with a full-course Chinese lauriat,” said Comida China de Manila president Benny V. Torres.
“We always strive for excellence in our food and service, that is why we salute the excellence that the UP Pep Squad showed in their performance last Saturday. Their commitment and discipline inspires us to always do our best in all that we do. We are happy to honor them with this dinner, as they honor us here with their presence,” said Benny Torres, who said the tradition of celebrating triumphs and victories invites more triumphs and victories.
After showing off their winning moves and cheers to the media present at the dinner, the UP Pep thanked everyone for their support and pledged to come back next year with something better than their best. They also invited everyone to support them as they set their sights on another victory — the 6th Cheerleading World Championship in Hong Kong on November 26-27 where the UP Pep Squad hopes to bring honor not just to UP but to the entire country.
