JANUARY 19-25, 2012

VOL. 1 NO. 11

STANDOUTS
(Standing from left) Natasha Mendoza, Pia Joanna Matas, Kiesha Francesca Silayan, Nikka De Dios. (Front from left) Trishia Mateo, Rachelyn Astillar
ROMY HOMILLADA

DLSU ANIMO SQUAD,

Ready, fearless

page 2

Back with a blast FEU

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More VARSITY
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BRING IT ON ICA All Stars

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Cheering squad page 3 ICA DASMARIAS page 11 NCC CONTENDER Ateneo Blue Babble ready UNITY key for to surprise page 10 Paraaque NHS page 11

The Rise of the Fallen

JANUARY 19, 2012

DLSU ANIMO SQUAD

Ready, fearless
By Din Villafuerte Junior Inquirer

HEY took everybody by surprise when they had a podium finish after twelve years of frustration in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition last September.
Now, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Animo Squad is more determined than ever to prove theyre not just accidental winners in the National Cheerleading Championships this coming February. It was one roller-coaster ride of a year for the team. The Animo squad placed 17th in the coed division of the National Cheerleading Championships while finishing first runner-up in the all-girls division of the same event last year. But they caught the attention the fans by bagging the 2011 Fil-Oil Flying V Cheerleading Competition trophy and placing second in the UAAP event. Coach Ruf Vandolph G. Rosario, head coach of the Animo Squad since April last year, knows that expectations on the team got high ever since they went home as champs from the Fil-Oil competition. Coach Rhufa, as he is fondly known around the cheerdancing circuit, remembers telling the team, Panindigan nyo na yan. The team expects to do well in the coming NCC qualifiers. Weve been working hard and theres been a lot of changes so we deserve it, says second year Marketing major Natasha Mendoza. We can do it, its going to be a better year for us. Rookies Anna Bongato and Paulina Alberto, both freshmen, are also hopeful. Champions for the all-girls (team) and I think the coed (team) will really do better, says Anna when asked about her expected outcome of this years NCC. I expect championships for both teams (the coed and all-girls). I want to see my team happy because weve been working hard all year and for my seniors also

because Ive been hearing that theyre not really content with their ranking last year and I see them working hard, says Paulina. So what happened in last year NCC where they slipped from fourth place in 2010 to 17th? Natasha explains, Aside from a lot of (members) graduating, it was difficult because it was the first time that we joined the all-girls division last year and the trainings (for both divisions) were held all at the same time and we needed people in the allgirls team to be in the coed team and vice versa, I guess it got very tiring for us. Maybe the coed (team) was compromised in a way, adds Nikka de Dios. But things are looking up ever since the Animo Squad came under the instruction of Coach Rhufa and his coaching staff composed of Ramon Saliegue, Marlon Domingo and Francis Asonto. Its going to be more visual because were now under Coach Rhufa. We already have the skills but we dont have the choreography and the creativity (before) but now, theyve seen (what we are capable of in) UAAP and theyve seen how much we have changed as a squad, so expect more surprises, explains Nikka, who is on her last term as a member of the pep squad. There is no doubt that the team has put a lot of confidence in their coach. But Coach Rhufa reminds the team that while they know he can help them, they must help themselves too. He tells the squad, Dont stop believing. Dont stop training and learning kasi kapag sumali

FOR REAL
(Clockwise, from left) Natasha Mendoza, Nikka De Dios, Anna Bongato, Paulina Alberto. ROMY HOMILLADA
ka sa Animo Squad panindigan mo, gawin mo yung mga dapat mong gawin. At higit sa lahat, ilagay mo yung puso mo sa team. The 2011 NCC Coach of the Year clearly believes in the DLSU pep squads potential as well. If theres one thing about the Animo Squad, is that they dont feel fear, discloses Coach Rhufa. They are so driven and hell bent on doing well that they always tell him, We dont want to lose again, coach. Hindi ka namin papahiyain. And they dont talk about not making it in competitions. Walang usapan na ganun, smiles Coach Rhufa. Sinasabi ko sa kanila na kung ano yung skill na meron tayo, yun ang ilalabas natin. Sinasabi ko na whatever happens, just do your best, of course for La Salle, says Coach Rhufa. He reminds the team that they are not this not just for themselves but for God, their family, friends and most especially their school.

TOP COACH
PAULINA, Nikka, Anna and Natasha joke with multi-awarded Coach Rhufa. ROMY HOMILLADA

RELIABLE: De Dios

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JANUARY 19-25, 2012

FEU CHEERING SQUAD

Back with a blast!

on ang tatak namin, iyon rin ang makikita nila. Although they have kept a high fighting spirit, they know how to settle everything on the stage and amidst all the tension; they still keep in minds true essence of cheerleading. We know the meaning of a friendly competition, Asuncion said. We make

friends kapag may oras, get to know them and also, learn from them. And since they are aware that it will never be easy, Coach Alolor-Alota always reminds them the 3 Ds, which she considers one of the factors for her team to sweep the championship. Determination, determination and discipline, that is what coach Jacquelyne always tell us, shared Astillar. Ito ang meron ang team na sobrang pinapahalagahan namin. With their breathtaking routines, high jumpers, renowned

cheers and people who believe in them side by side, the FEU cheerdancers are confident enough, knowing that theyll make their supporters proud. This fight is for the FEU community, for everyone who supports the team, our coach and mentors and most especially, to God, explained Asuncion. Gagawin namin ang lahat at sinisigurado namin na hindi sila mapapahiya. For the second time around, the FEU Cheerdancers will try their hardest to steal what they believe is rightfully theirs.

BATTLEREADY
(From left) Trishia Mateo, Ma. Joanne Asuncion, Eryka De Roxas, Racheln Estillar
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By Alexandra Jessica Esponga

After a two-year absence in the National Cheerleading Competition, the Far Eastern University Cheerdancers all have their guns loaded ready for battle and their eyes intensely aimed on only two things; perfection and excellence. We are a different FEU team from what everyone saw two years ago, said junior cheerleader Eryka De Roxas. We are more powerful and hungry than what we were before. True enough, the boys and girls of Coach Jacquelyne Alolor-Alota have their fingers crossed, hoping that all the hard work would

HE long wait is finally over.

be enough to bring the rowdy and roaring crowd of the countrys premiere cheerleading tournament one heck of a comeback.

Bigger and better

The FEU squad has always been a crowd favorite in the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Cheerleading Competition but they choose to leave their comfort zone and once again go against all odds in trying to earn themselves a top three slot in the NCC. Despite being tagged as pre-tournament favorite, FEU settled for third place last year in the UAAP . And they are just more determined to bring home the bacon and fulfill the mission they failed back then. Theres a big change in our routines that would surprise everyone who watched

us before, 18 year old Rachelyn Astillar shared. Ibang-iba siya sa mga nagawa naming sa UAAP kaya talagang pinaghirapan at pinaghandaan namin siya. The Sampaloc-based squad also prepared hard not just for the prize itself but also for the mere satisfaction they will soon get if they perfectly execute their routines. Kahit hindi kami manalo basta nagawa naming ng maganda at maayos ang routines namin, sobrang sarap na sa pakiramdam, Joanne Asuncion said. Pinaghirapan namin ng sobra para magawa lahat ng yon kaya nakakasatisfy kapag na-fulfill lahat ng maayos. Even though half of the squad who competed last time already said their goodbyes to the team, this

did not hinder the newbies to step up. Instead, it marked as an inspiration and a motivation to continue the fight they left unfinished. First time ng halos karamihan sa amin na sasali this year kasi grumaduate na yung batch na lumaban dati, quipped sophomore Trisha Mateo. Sila ang isa sa mga inspirations namin, gusto namin na maging proud sila sa amin. With FEU pouring more heart and sweat this year, no doubt that they would bring a bigger and better show for all of the people who patiently waited for them.

Tatak FEU
Magiging mahirap ang laban pero sinisigurado naming na may laban kami, said De Roxas. Ang mga taga-FEU, palaban. Iy-

JANUARY 19-25, 2012

Ateneo Blue Babble ready to surprise

By Denison Dalupang
All of these squads may have led people to forget the Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion going into this years National Cheerleading Championship hostilities. But the Blue Babble Battalion believe that they will have their presence genuinely felt this year. The Blue Babble will see action in the NCR qualifiers on February 4 at the Mall of Asia Activity Center. Weve matured over the years, said Babble cheerleader Pia Matas. Considering we also hacked-out what we thought of holding us back in the previous years. Despite being on the back seat since competing in the NCC, the Babble has never finished out-

AR Eastern University, University of the Philippines, champion Central College of the Philippines and rival De La Salle University.
side the Top 10. Kiesha Silayan, another Babble cheerleader notes that Ateneo will bring something new to the competition this season. We tried to experiment. Were infusing variety in our routines in stunts, said Silayan. Were going out as a squad having a little bit of everything rolled into one, concurred Matas. The Babble will draw great boost from coach Randell San Gregorio, who was tapped as coach for the national cheerleading squad alongside Tina Ferrer of CCP Jay , Sayno of St. Benilde and NCCs JR David. Were happy that we have our coach by our side, said Matas, who was also handpicked to represent the national colors under San Gregorio. Hes both a friend and a mentor to us. He knows our capacity and he tends to meet us halfway

UNITED COLORS: Kiesha Silayan and Pia Matas with their rivals.
by asking us suggestions and then trying to mix it with his own, Silayan added. Part of the Babbles core would be Ateneos squad captains, seniors Jessie San Juan and Desiree Fadri. Theyre the ones we look up to. They also provide us with strength, said Matas. They look out for us, checking our errors, and the consistency of our routine. They do that without having to make us feel theyre our seniors. We are friends with each other, said Silayan. Surprise will be Ateneos key this year. With the Babble trying to buck expectations and to not stick with a certain style, the squad will certainly tickle spectators imaginations, making them muse how potentially explosive they can be this coming season. I believe another strength we have is companionship. Through that, we can weave ourselves seamlessly as a unit and thats where the creativity rolls out, said Matas. Creativity works hand in hand with how cohesive we can be, added Silayan. But at the end of the day, Ateneo just wants to enjoy, execute and pull it off according to Matas. I believe every squad out

ROMY HOMILLADA

there is a threat to anybody. Whatever rank we land, as long as we think we deserved it, its going to be fine with us. Armed with enthusiasm and positivism, this might be the Blue Babbles year to shine.

FRIENDS
PIA Matas (left) and Kiesha Silayan.
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KILLER SMILES
MATAS (left) and Silayan.
ROMY HOMILLADA

11

JANUARY 19, 2012

The Rise of the Fallen

By Alexandra Jessica Esponga

HE Immaculate Concepcion Academy (Dasmarias, Cavite) All Stars made their debut in the National Cheerleading Competition two years ago and as everyone almost expected; they left the stadium empty handed with tears in their eyes, disappointed and hurt.
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AIMING FOR THE TOP

ICA standouts Jaireen Arasula, Mairelle Vallano, Chona Viray and Jazmin Barzaga.
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It became the saddest and most heart-breaking experience for them and they promised themselves it would never have to happen again. We took that as a challenge and an inspiration to do better, said senior cheerleader Jaireen Arasula. And that brought them to where they are now. Only on their second try, they savored the sweet taste of victory and became the brightest Stars in the tourney. This year, however, would be their ultimate test as they defend their title for the first time. But the girls of Archie Meris are decisive; never again would they want to feel that painful loss, never again would the Stars lose their light. Though it was devastating news, quitting was never an option for these girls, especially on their first try and they never entertained the thought of hanging up their sneakers and costumes for good. Masakit ng sobra pero never namin na-isip na i-give up na ang pagsasayaw, quipped Marielle Vallano. Kapag mahal mo ang ginagawa mo, kahit gaano pa kahirap at kasakit ang kailangan mong pagdaanan, itutuloy mo pa rin. Ganoon ang nangyari sa amin. Pagkatapos ng classes, diretso na kaagad kami sa training, shared sophomore Chona Viray. Exhaustion never stopped them to pursue excellence not only in cheerleading but of course, in their studies. They say that school and academics are still on the top of their list of priorities and dancing only comes next after that. Nais rin namin makakuha ng mataas na grades, Jasmin Barzaga. One of the many things Coach Meris tells these girls is to never be satisfied, there is something more. She also reminds her team the importance of humility. Marami nang naaksidente sa amin pero determinado pa rin kami, said Arasula who shares some of her teammates injuries. And they are hopeful that all of those sacrifices would be sufficient, that theyll end this season with the crown, still. After all, according to these girls, they have only one motive in this competition and that is to prevail and continue their reign as champs. Gusto lang naming manalo at hindi namin iniisip na talunin ang mga kalaban namin, Viray said. The ICA All Stars know how crucial this tournament is and they are pretty darn sure that they wouldnt want to repeat history all over again. Sa cheerleading, do-or-die lang lagi, walang second chance, walang bawian, quipped Varasula. Kaya naman sobrang pinaghandaan namin ito at lalaban kami ng parang wala nang next time. Ibibigay namin ang lahat ng kaya namin ibigay.

HARD TO BEAT
(From left) Christian Olea, Katherine De Leon and Keycielene Paguio.

Unity key for Paraaque NHS

ALMOST all happily-ever-after stories are those that one has to work very hard for, it is never easy and most of the time, protagonists have to battle through a series of unfortunate events and sometimes face the most painful of them all; defeat. And that is how the Paraaque National High School closed the first chapter of its book. But their story goes on; they manage to turn the tables and had their chance to write their very own version of a happily-ever-after just after a painful loss. Yung pagkatalo namin, ginamit namin para bumangon kami ulit, said Katherine De Leon. Indeed, losing their most valuable possession is definitely not in their system. This, despite an expected very hard competition. Masaya na nakakatakot yung feeling, she added. Alam namin na lahat ng mga teams ngayong season, sa amin nakatingin kaya mas kailangan pa naming galingan. However, multi-award winning Coach Rhufa Rosario always reminds the team that no matter how pressured they are, safety is their number one priority and each of the members of the squad must look out for each other. We treat each other as brothers and sisters in the team, said Christian Vanessa Olea. Although being young cheerleaders isnt easy and at times, they get scolded by their parents because of getting home late due to practices, they show their love for cheerleading not by acting rebellious but by proving that they can manage both school and dancing at the same time. Gagawin namin ang lahat para maging back-to-back champions kami at naniniwala kami na kaya namin to, stressed Keycie-lene Paguio. Alexandra Jessica Esponga

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