UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe

Infobox Cheerleading Squad
team =Salinggawi Dance Troupe
color1 =
color2 =
logo =Salinggawi.jpg
pixels =240px
founded =1968
city =University of Santo Tomas
colors =Gold, Black and White
mascot =
owner =
coaches =
choreographer = Ryan Silva
championships = 8 UAAP Cheerdance Championships
numberteams =

The Salinggawi Dance Troupe (or simply "Salinggawi", "SDT" or affectionately, "Gâwî"), is the official cheerdance team and a university-wide organization for dance in University of Santo Tomas (UST). The group is known for its versatility covering wide array of genre from performing arts to cheerleading, from contemporary to breakdancing.

Salinggawi is derived from Filipino phrase "Salin ng mga dating Gawi at Lahi", which translates to "transfer of customs and traditions" in English.

History

It was established in 1968 as the cultural group of UST. It was the year when the former Philippine first lady Mrs. Imelda Marcos stirred the climate of the country for cultural rebirth. The formation of the dance troupe was spearheaded by Mrs. Emerita E. Basilio, an authority on the Philippine folk dance and a former directress of the women section of the Physical Education Department. Along with her in this task are other dance teachers namely: Mrs. Delly Nabong, Mrs. Carmen Cruz, Mrs. Arce Garcia and volunteered students. The transcribed researchers of dances were interpreted into steps and expression, thus, creating a stage presentation out of the repetitious classroom exercises. From months of refining and polishing the group transformed it into a performance on December 16, 1968.

The dance troupe is composed of UST students boarded together by their love and passion for dancing. They are auditioned and further trained to polish their talents until such time that they can execute the simplest step into perfection. The mark of the versatility in Performing Arts is characterized in every Salinggawi performance. Integrated into their program is orientation in the different aspects of entertainment such as scriptwriting, stage production and others.

Logo

The Salinggawi logo symbolizes the dance troupe's aim for excellence in theater dances such as classical and modern ballet, jazz, modern dances, authentic folk dances and commercial dances as well. The overlapping character poses implies that the members are composed of men and women who want to exemplify Salinggawi's aim for perfection in dance. The horizontal rays represent the values integrated into their vigorous training. Those values are discipline, gratitude, respect, honesty, loyalty and integrity. These values are embodied by every Salinggawi dancer. It will hone them to become well-trained performers and responsible Thomasian leaders who will enrich and propagate the nation's desirable culture through dance.

Activities

Cheerdance

The dance troupe, together with UST's official pep squad and drumline – the UST Yellow Jackets, is most popular as the university's official Cheerdance team for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

On the first UAAP Cheerdance Competition (UAAP-CDC) in 1995 (then known as the Jollibee "Chi"-Cheer "Kayo" Cheering Competition), every other team went for the traditional cheers and the basic lifts. Salinggawi upped the ante by introducing complicated pyramids, basket tosses and swan dives, which redefined the landscape of cheerleading in the Philippines forever. They were the first to make the audience gasp with excitement and awe. Their swift and clean transitions made them stand out from the rest. The group’s innovations paid off because they got the very first cheerdance title, and the next two titles after that.Ruth L. Navarra (2007-09-17), [http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=86638 "Champions of Cheer"] , "Philippine Daily Inquirer". Retrieved 17 September 2007.] After winning for three straight years, the troupe opted not to compete in 1998 and instead joined the Lipton Iced Tea Cheering Competition where they won first place.

In 1999 Salinggawi went back to regain the title, but they only got the second spot while arch-rival UP Pep Squad earned its first championship. UP Pep Squad held on to the title for another two years, matching Salinggawi’s own record. In 2002, Salinggawi regained the title and held on to it for another four years, infusing high-flying acrobatic stunts, funky dance moves, and hand and foot movement synchronized to clockwork precision. UP Pep Squad has been their consistent runner up until 2007 when UP Pep Squad won back the title. Salinggawi placed second, with just 0.5 point behind UP Pep Squad.GMA News (2007-09-17), [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/60757/UP-pep-squad-is-2007-UAAP-cheer-dance-champion "UP pep squad is 2007 UAAP cheer dance champion"] , "GMANews.TV". Retrieved 17 September 2007.]

pecial Appearances

Some members of the troupe performed in the 2007 Miss Earth Pageant held in the Philippines. They also appeared in Star Cinema's blockbuster hit movie "One More Chance". They usually perform in university events and hold annual dance competitions like inter-collegiate cheerleading and dance competitions within the university.

Awards

Salinggawi holds the title for having the greatest number of championships won in the UAAP-CDC. As of 2006, they have won 8 championships. [http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=87975 "2007 Interview with UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe prior the 2007 competition"] .] They also have the longest championship run in the said competition; 2002 to 2006.

The following is a summary of Salinggawi's awards:

Trivia

# Salinggawi is the only dance troupe in the UAAP-CDC (the rest are all varsity cheerleading squads).
# They were the first to use canned music for their dance routine in the 2000 UAAP-CDC. They also first introduced special effects (sound compliments) in 2002.
# The Zigzag Pyramid is their trademark pyramid. It was introduced in the 1995 UAAP-CDC.
# The pirouette has been their staple dance move, right before the final dance routine or stunts, since 2003.
# They incorporated 2 Full-Twirl Tosses in their 2003 UAAP-CDC routine to represent their bid for a back-to-back title; a 3-Man Propeller Toss in their 2004 for their bid to get a 3-peat title; the 4-Man Shuffle Toss in 2005 for their bid to get fourth straight title; the Superman Walk in 2006 to bid for their fifth consecutive win; and the Bowling Stunt in 2007 for their bid to snatch a double grand slam.

References

External links

* [http://www.ust.edu.ph University of Santo Tomas Web Site]

ee also

UAAP Cheerdance Competition
UST Growling Tigers
UST Yellow Jackets