Despite falling short, UP Pep Squad happy to spread the message of #Equality4All

For the second straight year, the UP Pep Squad ended up in second place behind the NU Pep Squad in the UAAP Cheerdance competitions. But the Diliman-based performers can still hold their heads high.

“We are happy we delivered the message,” pointed out UP Pep Squad team captain Audrey Munoz on Sunday night after their team took the first-runners up honors in the UAAP Season 77 Cheerdance tilt at the jampacked Araneta Coliseum.

UP Pep Squad garnered a total of 658 points, 19.5 behind NU Pep Squad, and collected a cash prize worth P200,000 after its gender equality-inspired performance set itself apart anew from the field.

During the competition, the hashtags #equality and #Equality4All trended on Twitter. A rainbow flag from the UP Pep Squad also made its way across the mammoth crowd.

“Napakita namin sa routine namin ‘yung equality. Kasi girls ang nagbuhat sa boys tapos ang mga boys naman ang nag-fly. ‘Yung mga girls sinayaw ‘yung sayaw ng mga lalake tapos ‘yung mga lalake sinayaw ‘yung sa mga babae,” stressed Munoz.

“Our goal was to give a perfect run and I think na-achieve namin ‘yung goal. We just wanted to give a good show. After our performance, masaya kami kasi we gave our all,” she added.

Although she admitted they were a little disappointed, Munoz said they have nothing to be ashamed of. “We didn’t expect to win but we hoped. There’s a difference. We deserved it and they (NU Pep Squad) deserved it naman,” she said.

The UP Pep Squad remains tied with UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe as the winningest squad in league history with eight titles.