The FEU Cheering Squad members with coach Jacqueline Alolor (2nd from right).

The essence of cheerleading is to encourage the audience to participate in the game through, what else but, cheering.

Cheerleaders usually put on a show during half-times at basketball games.

What’s more, cheerleaders are considered to be the ambassadors of the school, ready to show off their toothy smiles – even with twisted ankles.

But aside from championing school spirit, cheerleaders are also athletes in their own right. It takes months, even years, of practice to perfect those tosses, tumbling passes, and pyramids, not counting the higher risk of incurring injuries.

And the most difficult of all, they have to make their jobs look graceful, fluid and easy!

The Far Eastern University Cheering Squad did just that at the recent UAAP Cheerdance Competition.
“I told the team no one is your opponent except yourselves,” says FEU coach Jacqueline Alolor. “We had a strong and flawless routine. Non-stop 'yung level of difficulty namin. We remained true and consistent with this year’s Sarimanok theme, from the costumes to the movements.”

Alolor considers the win well worth the 11 years of waiting. FEU last won the title in 1998.

“Ang tagal nung paghihintay na manalo. Pero from 2003 to 2008 lagi naman kaming nasa top 3. Kaya lang ang pangarap talaga namin makuha yung trophy,” Alolor says.

TOSS AND TURN

Alolor is an alumna of the FEU dance troupe. After graduating with a degree in Seconday Education, Major in Physical Education in 2001, she was hired as P.E. teacher and coach of the cheering squad. With the new task at hand, she revamped the whole team, starting from zero.

“Nung unang pasok ko, tinanggal ko lahat ng cheerdancers kasi malalaki at matitigas ang mga ulo. I started all over again. Namili na lang ako ng kahit hindi magaling, basta sumusunod sa akin. Ang puhunan talaga is discipline,” she says.

Today, the 25-member FEU Cheering Squad is composed mostly of gymnasts, two of whom are members of the Philippine Team, including Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Rachelyn Astillar, a freshman Tourism student. “Most of them may background sa gymnastics. Ang hinahanap ko 'yung magaling talaga sa tumbling, kasi madali na silang turuan,” Alolor says.

The squad started to work on their routine as early as April. Months before the competition, the routine had already been completed, a headstart that allowed the squad to have more time to double-check and perfect every single move.

“Parang athletes din sila. They have to maintain their endurance so they have an extensive training program. Maaga rin naming natapos 'yung routine so polishing na lang ang ginagawa namin,” Alolor explains.

The coach is proud to say that everything about them is solidly team effort. “The whole routine is a collaborative effort. Maraming mga contributions from the members. May excellent idea yung dancer ko, I found it creative, idadagdag ko.”

Make no mistake however because Alolor leaves no room for mistakes. Every single move is crucial and a simple blunder could blow the shot at the grand prize.

“Dapat may champion attitude so it is important that they smile. Because you are there to entertain. Kahit may buhat-buhat sila dapat todo smile pa rin. Isapuso mo talaga ang ginagawa mo.”

BOYS CAN CHEERLEAD, TOO

Leading the cheering squad to the win is team captain Ven-Mar Cudog, a graduating AB English Language student.

Ven-mar is a self-confessed fan of the FEU Cheering Squad since he was in high school. “Gusto ko 'yung floor routine nila kasi dun sila kilala. Sabi ko pagpasok ko ng college I want to be a part of that group.”

But Ven-Mar likewise leads by example by excelling in academics. He’s in the top 20 of the graduating class.

“Cheerdancing takes a lot of time, that’s why time management is important. They have to know the sacrifice. As for me, I had to give up my social life. Kasi even on Sundays may practice kami,” he relates.

As the team captain, he takes over the coaching duties when coach Jacqueline is not around. “When preparing for competitions, may open forum, and team building. We motivate each other. Para na kaming magkakapatid because of the time we spend together.”

For aspiring cheerdancers, Ven-Mar has this to say. “Cheerdancing is all about discipline, perfection and passion for the sport. They should expect that their lives would drastically change, and they should be prepared for that.”

With their sweet, sweet win, the FEU squad is all fired-up to take their victory to the next level. As the team to beat next year, this squad vows to take cheerdancing towards a new direction.