Cheers to the 10th National Cheer and Dance Championships

I have watched and supported cheering competitions before, but this is in a class of its own!

The recently completed 10th season of the National Cheer and Dance Championships saw a record 128 teams compete in 17 divisions over two days, breaking yet another record for a finals weekend for the National Cheerleading Championship.

This season saw regional competitions in North, Central, and South Luzon; Visayas; and Mindanao. The top teams from each qualifiers move on to the nationals, which is always held this month.

“This is another banner year for the NCC,” said national director Eduardo David. “With over 250 teams participating in our camps and competitions nationwide, the sport is exploding!”

The highly touted National University squad swept its three events: the all-girls group stunts, co-ed stunts, and college co-ed, which is regarded as the centerpiece event.

In the high school division, Holy Spirit captured back-to-back titles, while in the co-ed event, Parañaque National HS topped 18 other squads for their second crown.

The juniors competition saw Saint Pedro Poveda emerge as this year’s champion.

The NCC has been at the forefront of the growth of cheerleading since 2006, holding annual regional camps and qualifying competitions in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

“We are already looking forward to the next season. The dance teams are increasing and the competitions are getting more intense. It’s an exciting time for the athletes who love this sport,” said national rules director Paula Nunag.

I couldn’t agree more.But more importantly, seeing entire families come together to support their kids and their respective schools was amazing! This culture wasn’t
exactly prevalent in our country. Support like this is reminiscent of how it has been in the United States, but parents supporting their kids in their athletic endeavors has really grown through the years. And it’s great to see that.

But what truly stood out was the camaraderie among the competitors and even their supporters.
To sum it up perfectly, here’s a quote from a friend of mine who was there with his daughter, “My daughter was there to support the Ateneo team. This is a very competitive but very supportive tournament. When a mistake is made, the audience shouts, ‘Bawi.’”

The culture has changed — for the better — and this is truly what the spirit of competition is all about.

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