Salinggawi Dance Troupe eyes 9th championship, aims to gain back Thomasians’ trust
by Gillian Patricia Geronimo
With an apparent decrease of school spirit after the Growling Tiger’s unfortunate last-place finish, the much-supported Salinggawi Dance Troupe desires to bring back the trust of the Thomasian community in their athletes by aiming to win at this year’s UAAP Cheerdance Competition.
“Gusto naming mabalik ‘yung tiwala ng mga Thomasians sa mga atleta nila kasi since nangyari ‘yung sa basketball team natin, parang nawala ‘yung trust nila sa mga athletes nila. Gusto lang namin ibalik ‘yung trust nila in a way, by showcasing our talent and by winning,” Salinggawi president and captain Benjo Gutierrez told TomasinoWeb.
Despite missing the podium last season, Gutierrez remained positive, channeled this as an inspiration, and had even higher hopes for the team this year by eyeing not only a podium finish but their ninth championship.
“Ang iexpect nalang ng Thomasian crowd, or ng iba pang fans ng cheerleading, is a much more fiercer, a much more bolder, and mas matapang na Salinggawi Dance Troupe,” he said.
The Salinggawi Dance Troupe has been preparing since July, and two days away from their competition day, Gutierrez claimed that the team is already 95 percent ready.
“Nagprepare kami syempre bukod sa physically tsaka mentally, emotionally din tsaka spiritually. Kasi medyo maraming challenges na dumating sa amin as a team and as individuals, pero na-manage naman naming isurpass sila lahat,” he explained.
New head coach
With Salinggawi alumnus Mark Anthony Chaiwalla being appointed as new cheer coach, the team is bound to experience some changes and adjustments from their five-year stint with ex-coach Ramon Pagaduan IV.
“Syempre first year niya (Chaiwalla) sa’min, tapos ‘yung mga dating members naabutan si coach Ramon, rocky masyado eh kasi parang hindi nagm-match. Hindi namin siya gets minsan, minsan hindi niya kami gets, pero na-manage na naman namin na magcompromise,” Gutierrez stated.
Despite claiming their relationship as “rocky,” Gutierrez praised Chaiwalla for his “act of boldness” and for trying to bring out the best in each of the team’s members.
“Hindi niya kami kino-constrict. Gusto niya kaming maging best versions ng self namin,” he ended.
The much-awaited UAAP Season 80 Cheerdance Competition will happen on tomorrow, Dec. 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
