Opening the 75th Dia de Zamboanga week-long celebration is the annual Open-Cheerdance Competition. Held at the City Coliseum last February 22, 2012, the competition is one of the sought-after events participated by different schools and universities. This year, 5 teams battled out to show their best stunts, choreography and gimmicks. At the end of the day, CET Hawks Pep Squad of WMSU bagged 1st place with CME Sailor Squad of ZSCMST and PCA Huskies of Pilar College, placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Here's a photostory of the event's highlights. More photos after the jump.
The ZNHS Main Squad was up first
Showing some latin flavor in a cultural setting
Raising the banner of ZNHS Main, representing the only high school pep squad to join this year's competition
Second to perform are the Hawks of WMSU-CET, shouting "Ciudad de Zamboanga! Setenta y Cinco Años!"
Hawks soaring high
Clean, precise and high-energy performance delivered by the Hawks.
Guys linked the colored beads representing the different cultures in Zamboanga
The Hawks ending their performance with a solemn portait, showing the religious side of Zamboanga with the oversize rosary.
Keeping up with the competition are the Juggernauts of WMSU-BSN, opening their performance with dynamic stunts and choreography
Juggernaut flyers sweeping everything on their path with their in-sync and sharp performance.
Delivering more intricate stunts
Showing the 75 years as a Asia's Latin City through dance
PCA Huskies of Pilar College is up next, keeping the energy high opening their routine with a bang
Huskies showing their prowess with linked scales
Showing their trademark move - jump landing on splits
All guys up in the air with a toe touch
Depicting a scenery of Zamboanga with colorful sails and the Lady of Pillar, the city's patron saint.
Last but not the least, the Sailor Squad of ZSCMST-PME (Fisheries).
Sailors became krumpers as they infuse cheerdance with hard-hitting hiphop moves
Entertaining the audience as they switch it up showing their feminine side
The girls showcasing the City of Flowers, streetdance style
Paying homage to their chosen career, the guys show some military swag to the beat of the drumline
The Sailors squad wraps up the day with a hair-raising salute. The audience roared with this simple gesture
Mr. Jay Silva, host of this year's competition
Mayor Celso Lobregat announces the third Place: Huskies of Pilar College, former champion of the competition
Second Place: Sailors Squad of ZSCMST-PME.
Sailors pointing out to Hawks while waiting for the winner to be announced.
And this year's new champion are the HAWKS of WMSU-CET. Their energetic moves, intricate and high-precision stunts, and over-all excellent performance brought them to the top.
Hawks giving an encore performance of their winning routine
Towering with honor and pride, the Hawks soar once again
The champs showing off the product of their perseverance, hardwork and sheer talent
The team lifts up a member cheering in joy for victory
The day ends with flying colors.
Here's a video of the winning routine by the Hawks courtesy of carlomoratalla:
It's one heck of a show and we were really entertained with all the performances of the participating teams. The heat between the squads are getting higher and the competition is far from over. Next year, we are expecting comebacks from the non-winning teams as they try to win back the title. A relatively new squad gave us a fresh sight on the field and im hoping there will be more of this stuff next year. As of now, let the Hawks celebrate and remember the essence of this event, to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the city. Adelante Zamboanga!