Salinggawi’s 4-peat a TV spectacle

In the ‘90s, the University of Santo Tomas senior basketball team scored a rare four-peat in the cage wars of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

In the next decade, the pontifical university’s famed Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT) accomplished the plum prize in the much awaited cheerdance competition for four consecutive years – 2002 to 2005.

Televised over Studio 23, the cheer dance championship coverage enjoys the highest rating in every UAAP season and is considered the epic battle of the bid for school honor in collegiate intramurals.

Garbed in their signature black, gold and white, with the inimitable stripes in their extremities, they carried the coat of arms of the pontifical university and the logo of L.A. Gear, their corporate sponsor, to outshine the rest of the pack.

Their curtain raiser was breathtaking – a three-tiered pyramid ascending in the wink of an eye. So steady with aplomb and elan it stood, amidst the prayers of adviser, Institute of P.E. and Athletics (IPEA) faculty Edna Sanchez: "Sana, hindi mag-collapse."

Pyramid Paragons

It was pure spectacle after the opening jitters. Unlike DLSU and Ateneo’s mainly pop hip and aerobics routines, ‘Gawi, as they are fondly called by the Thomasian community, showcased an eclectic opus of rock jazz, gymnastics, street punk with kung-fu as innovative streak. While last year’s medley had the trademark ballet jazz and haunting capoera leaps, apexed by the mesmerizing helicopter toss, this time there was the cross-over toss outlining a flower in bloom that made one shiver.

The crane shot of the human acrostics emblazoning the letters UST in the all-white court conjured the image of mystic crop circles rippling in the wind, as individual dancers straddle jumped, rolled and crawled in domino movement, in perfect timing with the de rigueur school cheer.

Non-stop discipline and hardwork

But the coup d’ grace was the Nestle Cheer. Deftly executed stunts culminated in the unfurling of a monolithic black banner with the sponsor’s logo at the center from a seemingly innocuous prop that in the outset paled in comparison with the more elaborate contraptions of the other universities. When out popped dancers flapping butterfly wings in the color of the Rated R ice cream’s blue and white from the subtly carved holes, the verdict was sealed. This enkantadic performance is it!

But the championship never comes easy for ‘Gawi. "Hard work and discipline are the core values we live by," confesses Jeleen Villagante, current SDT president.

In fourth (L.A.) Gear

For the dedication to their craft, Vangie Chua, marketing officer of L.A. Gear is all praises for the team. "This is the stuff champions are made of, and our company advocates this passion for excellence and competitive spirit which Salinggawi has always personified in its performances," she agrees.

The war chest of the ‘Gawi is fully equipped by L.A. Gear: shoes, socks, leg warmers, jackets, bags, towels and of course, the gala costumes.

UST alumnus, Engr. Tomas Lim, L.A. Gear CEO, who took up the cudgels for SDT when other sponsors were lukewarm, is fully convinced that more glory awaits the team. "Both L.A. Gear and Salinggawi realize that leadership in the industry and in the discipline, respectively, has a prize, i.e. unrelenting struggle for perfection," he admits.

Teddy Pereña, another Thomasian and officer of TEAM, Inc., who is rainmaker and headhunter rolled into one for the UST cage team until he ended his tour of duty as manager last April, is elated that his quest for a committed benefactor for the ‘Gawi found an auspicious oracle with L.A. Gear.

Glory for God

Ryan Silva, ‘Gawi alumnus, who has choreographed the team through the three-peat record, is always conscious of keeping the dancers’ feet on the ground while continuing to create astounding feats that send them soaring sky high, so as not to disappoint their supporters.

"We are doing this for the glory of God," is his constant reminder to the group nurtured through the years by the expert handling of director/regent Fr. Ermito de Sagon O.P. and assistant directress Felicitas Francisco of UST’s Institute of Physical Education and Athletics.

Four is such a fantastic feat for a university going to celebrate its 400 years soon. SDT and L.A. Gear are making a solemn vow to be very much around when 2011 comes.