Squad stages 6th concert.
The UP Pep Squad lived up to its cheer-chant on February 28: Matatapang….Walang takot kahit kanino (Brave…Unafraid of anyone).
Amidst the country’s political unrest and protests brewing in and off campus, the UP Pep Squad pushed through with their concert, Elevate 6: Lift One Another Up at the University Theater.
Other shows on campus were cancelled in light of the protests to Proclamation 1017 that declared the nation in a state of emergency but Pep did just the opposite.
And proving that they are a crowd drawer, the UP Pep Squad was able to fill the venue to the rafters, so to speak, even though UPD called for a mass walkout that day to protest Proclamation 1017.
While a rally continued at Quezon Hall, some people slowly inched their way to neighboring University Theater to secure seats to Elevate 6 that was set to start at 5 p.m. Fortunately for me, I didn’t have to queue—I had complimentary tickets, courtesy of my Boss.
The ushers who did not know then I had “sure-seat” tickets told my friends and I to go up the stairs as “wala na pong upuan sa harap (there are no more seats infront).” When finally we were ushered in, the only available seats were for the sponsors. There were so many who contented themselves to just stand at the the landing separating the orchestra from the balcony, but were careful enough not to block the view of the seated guests.
The first part of Elevate 6, like in previous Pep concerts, was the cheer-dance competition. The groups came prepared with their yells, stunts and dance routines, and of course, friends as morale boosters. Groups who competed in this division were the Cheerdance PE Class, UP IE Club and UP JPIA. For this category, UP IE Club won the top prize. The Cheerdance PE Class and UP Pep Squad Applicants were each given certificates for participating in the Stunting Division.
When concert proper came, UP Pep Squad did not fail to deliver. Their repertoire was engaging.
Opening with “Babayi,” the Pep Squad, garbed in tattered clothes, displayed fluid movements while telling the story of a group of “Amazon” like women, who fearlessly defended their lot from invaders, only to be shattered with the death of their leader.
Next came the various facets of love in “Reflections.” A personal favorite was the “Divas in the Drummers.” These young men and women are not only are graceful dancers themselves; they are also good with their sticks and drums. What made their performance more engaging were their allusions to the routines of other cheering squads—they were able to copy the groups’ moves and stance without a hitch! It definitely was a blast.
Audience participation was a staple in the concert; it was all the more highlighted when about a hundred went up on stage to avail of the free Samba tutorials that guest Eileen Sison with dancers from Escole de Samba de Manila offered. Starting with the basic footwork, those on stage at first slowly sashayed to the beat of the samba drums. Much later, when they felt confident enough, the participants mimicked the fever pitch bump and grind of the Samba dancers—not all were successful but they were all definitely fun to watch.
Of course, Pep Squad saved the best for last. “The Best of Cheer” had the house roaring and shouting “UP Fight!” with every tumble, cartwheel and those things only the UP Pep Squad do that defy gravity.
If I were to describe this OICA (Office for Initiatives in
Culture and the Arts)-sponsored event with sound words, I believe it would be
like this: It opened with a drum roll and ended with a bang. Hindi nga nagpapahuli
ang matatapang, matatalino at walang takot na UP Pep Squad!
— Mariamme D. Jadloc