For Men

Three cheers for UP Pep Squad and Comida China de Manila

October 12, 2011 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - Comida China de Manila, formerly known as Panciteria San Jacinto-Pasig, threw a victory party for the University of the Philippines Varsity Pep Squad recently.

Fresh from their triple victory in the recently 2011 Samsung UAAP Cheerdance Competition, the UP Pep arrived 100-strong at the restaurant serving traditional Chinatown food, still sporting their sensational platinum blonde hair and peppy attitude.

The “UP Pep” was accompanied at the dinner by 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.

The UP Pep won first place in the prestigious Samsung Cheerdance Competition on Sept. 17 in back-to-back fashion, now bringing their title total to seven, just one crown away from the University of Santo Tomas with eight. 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.

The platinum blonde look was the peg for the Pep Squad’s Madonna-inspired number that was “crisp, athletic and creative, with trademark throws and athletic moves” that was pure UP Pep Squad.

Comida China (owned by the Torres Family who also run Mom and Tina Bakery Café and the Red Rickshaw in San Fernando, Pampanga) pulled out all the stops, paying 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.

The UP Pep thanked everyone for their support and pledged to come back next year with something even better. They also invited everyone to support them in their next adventure: the sixth Cheerleading World Championship in Hong Kong on Nov. 26-27 where the UP Pep Squad hopes to bring honor not just to UP but to the entire country.