Move, Groove, UP!

       Do you feel a connection to the music and the beats? Do you feel the need to bust a move? Well, dancing is your true calling! We have listed down the top four best-known performing groups in the campus and the information on how you can join them.

        Cheerleading is a physical activity based on organized routines which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate in competitions. First on the list is the UP Varsity Pep Squad, the seven UAAP Cheer dance Championship titleholder. Be part of the ka-diliman and if you have the basics in dancing and gymnastics, Varsity Athletic Admission System (VAAS) Application usually starts every summer and for non-VAAS, it takes place during summer to June. The squad may not get the same privileges (like allowance) like of those other varsities they still have the bragging rights being the University’s pride. Application usually lasts for 2 days at the Aldaba Hall’s Dance Area (Backstage of the UP Theatre). They have also competed in the Cheerleading World Championship for the first time last year (2011). They host an annual event called Elevate: Lift One Another Up, a dance concert showcasing the squad’s talents and is much of a thanksgiving for the supporters of the squad.

            Are you ready to krump, hussle, head stand or break dance? Join the UP Street Dance Club! Street Dance is any of various dances influenced by the rhythms and techniques of funk and hip-hop music. Street dance is a lot different from cheerleading, they may do stunts like tossing and back flips but they are more into the swag and their moves aren’t as sharp as cheerleading. Application in UP SDC is 3 days long and takes place at the UP Gym. Applicants get oriented for two days and on the 3^rd day, they perform their audition dances. Those who pass the audition get to train for a year as applicants. Not everyone could pass since they can’t accommodate too many newbies. They joined and nailed some of the country’s top street dancing competitions like the UAAP Street Dance Competition and the Skechers Street Dance Battle. They also host annual street dance campus events like Chozenground, every August, and Street Fuzion, which takes place every March.

Third on the list is the UP Varsity Filipiniana, a folk dance and jazz oriented performing group in UP. Folk Dance is any of various traditional rustic dances often originating from festivals or rituals. Their execution is dominated by an inherited tradition rather than by innovation. Auditions runs for 4 days wherein applicants must perform a Jazz and Folk dance. They have competed in the NCCA Folk Dance Category. One of the members said that what they do is fun and challenging yet they’re serious and strict regarding dances and that they are more professional than those typical high school dance Group.     

Last but not the least on our list is the UP Dance Sport Society, the Ballroom oriented dance group. Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world.  Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television. Application takes place at the UP Gym. They have competed in the competitions like the Philippine Starball and Sabah Dance sport Competition.

At the end of the day nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance, the truest expression of a people is in its dance and in its music.  Bodies never lie.