When I think of the UP Pep Squad, I think of the flyers thrown effortlessly in the air, the deafening yells and chants of the cheerleaders and of course their impeccable routine that has always been the talk of the town. The real unsung heroes, however, are the UP Pep Squad drummers. They are just as important in promoting team spirit and entertaining the crowd in between games. Many people do not give them the proper credit just because they do not share the same performance floor with the dancers. But they provide the beats that keep the team synchronized all throughout the performance. When they stop, it’s as if everything else stops too.
“To be a drummer, you must have a lot of confidence and a good sense of rhythm.” Trisha Ines O’Bannon, a 17 year old Comparative Literature major, said when asked about the skills a drummer must have. She has been a drummer of the UP Pep Squad for a year and a half now.
Passion. Perseverance. Punctuality. I noticed that my interviewees mentioned at least one of these attitudes that a UP Pep Squad drummer must exemplify. According to them, these three values make up great drummer. Like any squad, they have scheduled training every night. They do stretching and few practice hits for warm-up. O’Bannon mentioned that because of her pep obligations, her parents get apprehensive every once in a while. Juggling between academic work and pep squad duties, her friends have also gotten used to her being unavailable most of the time.
“Some of the other drummer’s parents are not that supportive since we don't get much benefit. Most of us are driven by passion to stay in the squad.” Said Zen Marti Pambid, a 20 year old drummer.
But regardless of the effort that these drummers put into their performances, they are referred to as the unsung heroes in this arena. People pay more attention to the dancers mainly because they are physically aesthetic. At times, this negativity brings down the drummers’ morale. They told me that despite all their hard work, they are often relegated to the background.
What other people don’t appreciate is that these drummers add color to the game by pumping up the crowd. They have a knack for uplifting spirit and creating a positive atmosphere. Drummers are like the foundation of the house. If they’re weak, they bring everyone else down. The UP Pep Squad has been UAAP champions for 7 years and they are not stopping there. Still pushing their limits to stay on top of their game, the team has evolved with the support of the other varsity teams, the whole UP community and especially through their dedication to their chosen field.
Interested students are all invited to join. No drumming experience? No worries! Summer application is on-going. Just head over to CHK gym, Mondays through Fridays at 6-8pm. Who knows, you might be the next UP Pep Squad drummer.
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