So. My blog has been dead for almost a month now, and it has been mostly due to university priorities, not to mention my quite unstoppable addiction to fitness. Mid-terms just ended, and I'm glad to feel I did quite well in many of my subjects. :)
My 21.5 units certainly aren't helping me sleep better, that's for sure. Apart from the latter half of our thesis (which is due soon, I might add), my minor subjects are actually much more draining than the majors! It doesn't help that two of these minors are in Filipino, which I am not exactly very fluent in. Of course, survival in the subjects is pretty much guaranteed, but who doesn't want a 4.0 in minors? I certainly do.
On a happier note, I am finally below 150 lbs, and it's consistent! I tip the scales at 148 lbs, but of course, my target still remains set at 145. That's perfect welterweight size. Since I took up boxing about 4 months ago (Elorde Boxing Gym, I love you), I think of body weight in fight weight classes. HAHA.. Seriously though, it's a GREAT way to keep in shape, and carve all those cuts. :P
Being the academic manager of the university pep squad has proven to be a great and unexpected challenge for me this term. The sheer workload of one person (myself) monitoring an entire pep squad (over 40 members) drove me crazy the past month, but thank God for our Sports Academic advisor, Ms. Grace, and the always-ready-to-assist fellow academic managers, I am slowly but surely learning the ropes. It's great experience, one that I would never regret taking, although it does dent my social life quite a bit. Ahaha..
As for dancing with Skittlez, my time in De La Salle University - Manila is slowly coming to an end, along with my competitive eligibility with Skittlez. Due to some (rather stupid, foolish, and uninformed) possible rule changes, I might not even be able to compete this year. *sigh* Still, my heart is still in the crew, as it has always been for the past two and a half years.
Time flies so fast. I'm a senior next term. :|Jay~
Congratulations to the DLSU Animo Squad for making it as one of the nine finalists from our regional qualifiers. Go get 'em in the finals!
Qualified teams:
De La Salle University - Manila
Ateneo de Manila University
Unibersidad de Manila
Jose Rizal University
Mapua University
Central Colleges of the Philippines
Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Taguig
University of Perpetual Help - Rizal
Rizal Technological University
Congrats again, Pep! :DJay~
A new, official start of yet another college experience.
Managing my beloved squad's academics. :)
It's hard work, self-made hours, and no pay, but as they say, when you love doing something, you will do it no matter what.
Here's to the Animo Squad, the few, the loud, and the proud!Jay~
I know, I know. Way behind schedule. I have Remix 09 to prepare for and a whole new term, you know. :P
Some pictures from the Araneta Coliseum locker room (which we shared with the University of the Philippines Pep Squad two years in a row now).
Our coaches and General Manager.
Araneta shots. Look at the crowd!
During results. :)
Honoring our university, our supporters, and the Lasallian community.
Winners:
1st: Far Eastern University
2nd: Ateneo De Manila University
3rd: University of the Philippines
I am proud to have worn the green and white of De La Salle University. I am so proud and honored to have been in the pioneer two years of the new-look Animo Squad (formerly known as the DLSU Pep Squad). Teammates, you guys are awesome and some of you are just sick (double full-twist, anyone?). Coaches, thanks for every skill I've learned, and all the lessons you four have imparted on me. Our manager, thanks for the responsibilities that made me a better person. :) DLSU, thanks for the opportunity. Gaylie, thanks for the support. <3 :D
Animo La Salle!
The 2009 cheering season of the Animo Squad competing team has officially ended. I must say that it was an awesome experience from beginning to end. So many life lessons learned, and so many obstacles gone over, and most were very much worth it. :)
Much thanks to the De La Salle University Manila Office of Sports Development and the university official sponsors Adidas, especially Bro. Bernie Oca, FSC, and Sir Edwin Reyes, for the incredible support and love you two have shown to our squad, and the countless advice and opinions to make us a better squad every year.
To the coaches, Sir Peter Alcedo, Jr., Coach LA Garcia, Coach Ajjie Mendelebar, and Coach Mycs Villoso, thanks for the skills and abilities you have all imparted on this still-learning dancer/cheerleader. Just a little over 2 years ago, when I was still a bass guitar addict, I would never have thought of learning and doing all the things all of you have taught.
Thanks to all family (especially Mum and Pops) and friends for the prayers and support. Never would have done the performance we did, if not for all of you. :)
Finally, thanks to my Gaylie for her love and understanding, even when I had not much time due to all the training and practices. :) <3
To my beloved Animo Squad, a lot of us will not be competing for La Salle anymore. Our captain and co-captain have worn the green and white for the last time, and I'm glad we gave them something to remember fondly. I probably will not join next year as well, as I am graduating in 3 terms. :( Thanks for the love and friendship, and most especially the sense of camaraderie that we all shared. We have given blood, sweat, and tears for our university and the Green and White community, and we can all truly call ourselves Lasallians. I love you all. All the best next season!
Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 CDC. :)
UP Pep Squad, you guys are my heroes. :D
Until next year, keep the faith, and ANIMO LA SALLE!!Jay~
..is tomorrow. :|
I am nervous, but I have every confidence that my beloved DLSU Animo Squad will do the best we can and make the Green and White proud tomorrow.
Please remember us in your prayers.
Tony, this is for you.Jay~
We have this 'workout log book' in the university gym. Every varsity group, Animo Green (our loud and proud pep squad) and my Animo White cheerdance squad has one, to monitor our fitness progress and programs.
Yesterday, I broke my own record on the legpress machine. I actually ran out of space on the machine to put weights.
Previous record: 420 lbs (12 repetitions) (190 kg)
New record: 470 lbs (12 repetitions) (213 kg)
I wanted to try 500 lbs for 6-8 repetitions, but there was no more space to place weight plates. I used ten weight plates weighing 45 lbs each, plus the natural weight of the leg bar of 21 lbs.
Keep in mind that I weigh 151 lbs (68 kg). LOL. I just legpressed three times my body weight. If that ain't sick, I don't know what is. :P
Now I have to work on squats, as our PTs said, the squat is the upgrade to the legpress.
Much thanks to our awesome trainers who encourage all of us when we're down, get all pissy when we skip the gym, and soothe and repair all our injuries, big and small.Jay~
Never felt so pressured in my life. :(
I don't know what's wrong with me. I wasn't tossing as high, and I wasn't lifting as consistently. My stamina is at an all-time high, but I just feel like I'm losing focus. I really need to get back on track.
I apologize for my poor performance, squad.
I owe it to you guys and our beloved school to perform much better next practice.
Over and out. Need sleep.Jay~
Our Animo Squad - White general assembly earlier went pretty well. Our coaches and manager (2007 Animo Squad - White Team Captain Reynaldo Martinez) had a lot of plans for us this year, and it was good to see that we have a set plan already this early in the season. We also elected and appointed the officers for the squad, and I am pleased and very honored to have been given a position. Thanks team.
Team Captain
Justine Cordero (Animo Squad - Green)
Vice-Captain
Andrew Sha (La Salle Dance Company - Street)
Head, Documentations
Cara Young (Animo Squad - Green)
Head, Logistics
Jason Cruz (Freelance)
The thing I love about the Animo Squad - White is the combined effort of so many people and groups; Animo Squad - Green (formerly known as the DLSU Pep Squad), the La Salle Dance Company - Street, the La Salle Dance Company - Jazz, and of course, freelance dancers and gymnasts that joined the Squad for their love of the university.
I am looking forward so much to this year. We have been conditioning ourselves in dancing, gymnastics, and in liftings, and hopefully, we will make the La Salle community proud once more by giving the best we can. The school has given us so much; it's only right we do so.
D-L-S-U!
Animo La Salle!Jay~
I would like to congratulate all applicants who made it in Animo Squad - White. Good job on the auditions, and I am sure it will be a fun year of training with all of you.
A special congratulations to my Skittlez dance crew member, lunch buddy, and fooling around partner-in-crime Jake Go for making it in the squad. Had a hard time convincing him to try-out, but I always knew he was going to make it in. :) Congrats again bro.
Our summer training starts on April 20 to May 23. =\ I'm none too happy about the fact that my birthday falls on a training day. Still, it's all good. :)
*squad huddle*
"Animoooooooooooooooooo... Sqwd!"Jay~
Sadly. :(
It had its highs and lows, but perhaps more lows than highs. This term has seen the complete inactivity of my crew, Skittlez, and the disappointing way we have handled ourselves. Complacency? Sad, but true. :( Is this the end for the 2008 Remix champions? What a waste if it is.
I've been starting out with some preseason training for the 2009 season of Animo Squad. So far, we've had 6 new applicants who would like to try out. I hope they do well. I've also stepped up my core training, and just recently moved to far more advanced routines. Definitely hoping I'm all set for summer.
Two subjects' grades have been released, and they are alright. I'm not sure what I could have done to get it higher, but I'm still thankful. 3.5 for Domestic Aspects of American Foreign Policy (major course), and 3.5 for Art Appreciation (non-major course). Four left to go, with papers due for Critical Security Studies and American Government, plus final exams for Spanish 4 and American Government. It will be a rather stressful week ahead of me.
This month also marks the second year of my blog. Happy Second Birthday! LOL.Jay~
Wow. 2008 is over. 4 hours to go, and a new calendar year starts.
As the year ends, I look at my blog - the stories I've told, the pictures I've posted, the thoughts and feelings I've shared - and I wonder at how I matured in 2008. I reckon not much, but significantly so. This year, more than any other in my life, has seen the best ups of my life.
In the beginning of the year, I decided to be with someone special who has been the rock of my existence here in the Philippines. <3 I learned so much from her, from commuting, to treating people better, to a new language, and to always keep humility at my side.
In the summer holidays, I experienced going for a holiday with absolutely no one to rely on but myself, planning everything, booking the hotels and tickets, and financing most of the costs. The independence was amazing.
In the first term of this school year, I proved myself right; that a student can both be an excellent scholar while also submerging himself (excellently too) in co-curricular activities. I received Second Honors and had the honor of representing De La Salle University with Animo Squad.
Second term was no less blessed. With my family and friends of Skittlez Crew, we managed to win, hands down, the championship of Remix08 dance competition. To have gone through so many conflicts, fights, and altercations, and yet surface as a team held together by love for each other, was amazing.
And after four hard months of work, I have finally achieved clear definition around my mid-section. I believe they are called 'abs'? LOL.
Christmas was beautiful, and I'm glad I had someone very special to spend it with. <3
Now, a new year approaches, and I can only look forward to more blessings, more victories both in my academics and athletics, better time with family and friends, and another beautiful year here in the Philippines.
To all my friends and family: Nothing else but thank you. Jay~
Game 2, September 25, 2008, UAAP Men's Basketball Finals (which pretty much equates to the UAAP, as it seems like no other sport matters BUT basketball in this country), and Animo Squad was invited to perform during the half-time instead of the DLSU Pep Squad (or Animo Squad Green).
Mostly La Salle fans.
Mostly Ateneo fans.
Definitely Ateneo fans.
Well we lost the game. Not a huge surprise for me, to be honest. Very unfortunate that here in the Philippines, the Men's Basketball title is a lot more important than winning the Overall UAAP Championship Title (which I believe is very silly).
I was disappointed at two things, one concerning Ateneans, and the other concerning some calls made by the referees.
While going to the basketball court to perform during half-time, we had to go past the Atenean crowd. A middle-aged, slightly overweight man stood up, gestured towards us and proclaimed loudly that 'these are people with no education'. I almost LOL'd. He does not seem to realize that his actions reflect more of his character, speaking as a supposedly mature adult to students like that. Well done, Mr. Atenean. Wear your blue proudly, for I will forever wear my green just as proud.
I won't elaborate anymore. Rico Maierhoffer of the DLSU Green Archers was sent out of the game for an innocuous technical foul (which was dubious to start with), and star player JV Casio (his last year as a Green Archer) fouled out of the game (with suspiciously lame contacts dubbed as 'fouls' by the referees). Officials, we will pray for all of you to sleep well for the next few nights. The nightmares will come years later. :) Have a good life.
Thank you, JV.
It's good seeing you held your head up high, like a true Lasallian. I hope to see you more in the 9th floor gym. Do come back and coach, like Cholo. :)Jay~
Before I start, note that I will try to be as fair as possible, because frankly, I do not give a crap about school politics and stupid rivalries. If you think that this post offends you and/or your alma mater, you are free to close the tab/window you are reading this from.
In my honest and true opinion, I believe that we were screwed, and we were screwed bad. The Animo Squad placed seventh out of eight squads this year, the same exact position as last year's disaster. How can it be? The dance was clean, we had some great elements, and we made very minimal mistakes. Yes, we were a new squad. But does that justify giving us low scores? I saw that the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU, also DLSU's biggest rival) gave Animo Squad a 46/100. Forty-six? Tell me, dear judge, could you sleep well that night? If you would like to be biased and prejudiced, at least don't make it so obvious, because the next score after yours was in the 70s. 30 points' difference is an anomaly, and giving such a score is nothing less than a disgrace.
We had no illusions of winning, or even landing in the Top 3, which has been dominated by three powerhouse schools, but this year, something definitely proved that the rankings in the CDC does not anymore reflect ability, as it does reputation and/or grudges against other schools. Adamson University (AdU) performed so well this year (ask any neutral observer, and they will tell you so) that I think they deserve to be in third place. University of Santo Tomas' (UST) Salinggawi Dance Troupe performed weakly in my opinion, as compared to main rivals in the CDC, University of the Philippines Pep Squad and Far Eastern University Pep Squad. Comparing their performance this year with all other previous years, you can easily see how much weaker this year's was. They weren't as clean as last 2 years' performances, nor were there anything 'wow' about their performance. At least, I think Adamson definitely edged them out.
UP Pep Squad is by far the most amazing of the groups. Sharing the locker room with them, one can see that they are ALL amazing athletes, built like Greek statues. No kidding; their workout was once mentioned in an edition of Men's Health. Everything they did on the floor was excellent, from tosses to pyramids to transitions to their dancing. Worthy winners, and congratulations, UP Pep Squad. You are way beyond all the other school's level.
Final Rankings:
UP Pep Squad
UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe
FEU Pep Squad
I think it should be:
UP Pep Squad
FEU Pep Squad
AdU Pep Squad
But I'm no judge.
And to underline this one last time, Animo Squad was screwed this year, and you people know it. Those who watched us know it. Watch it on YouTube (I don't have any link, but if there are any videos, see for yourself) and you'll know it.
Whatever. There's one set of rules for other schools, and another set for DLSU. That's just how it goes, people. The Green and White has many haters, best you know it now.Jay~
The big day.
2008 UAAP CDC.
In the locker room, which we shared with eventual (and defending) champions, UP Pep Squad, from the University of the Philippines.
The long hours put in practices resulted in several bizarre behavioral quirks..
A-Squad captain Totie Martinez.
Jaime can't find himself.
Andrew decides to strip.
Superman that ho'!
Brent's "cheer" face. LOL.
Stu and his "cleavage".
More locker room photos!
After the performance.. Our exhaustion finally caught up with us. Considering that we are such a new team performing at such a high level of competition, we pushed hard, but the push finally shoved some members back.
Proudly wearing our Green and White!
A-Squad and Araneta Coliseum.
It doesn't matter that the results were disappointing, and we faced extremely obvious prejudice and bias, I am so proud to have been in the A-Squad with each and every one of you, from the dancers, to the drummers, to the coaches and PT staff, I love you guys so much.
Let's go Animo, let's go!
We are the very first generation of the A-Squad. :)Jay~
