CSA's Cheering Competition: Then & Now

What's all the fuss on CSA's Cheering Competition? I'm not exactly sure as to how the cheering competition all began. What I know is, since I started studying in CSA, it's among those much awaited events in High School which students look forward to and start preparing for, months before the huge day. Actually, we also had the same event in Grade School, there were 2 categories: 1st to 3rd grade students fall under one category and 4th to 7th grade students belong to another. Although this wasn't held annually. I remember our batch had our Cheering experience elementary style, during 3rd grade and 5th grade respectively. The only difference was, we didn't care much about the Cheering Competition back in Grade school, since it was our teachers who made the cheers, taught the actions and conceptualized the entire event. While in High School, it was us, the students who were in charge of everything - from making the cheers up to designing the shirts, etc.

Here are throwback photos circa 2006, the last cheering competition I participated at:)

We stayed hours after classes just to have these finished. I used to be active back then, so I joined the Pep Squad Committee. We were the ones who thought of actions and taught them to the batch during practices. All Committees stayed after class hours even after the batch practices were through, and so we decided to help the Props Committee:)

This was the night before the Cheering Competition. Everyone who wanted to help out was asked to wear a red shirt (Red is the Seniors' color), so this is us, praying that we emerge as winners. One thing I've noticed about our batch, we had the naughtiest and most hard headed boys. Name as many incidents involving behavioral reports - our batch has it. haha! But when it comes to things which involve the entire batch, more often than not, almost everyone cooperates. I think it is safe to say that we were very united as a batch during our days.

This is on the day of the Cheering itself. Once you've scrolled down through the rest of this page, you will notice a huge significant change with our gymnasium!

We enjoyed and gave our best:) Unfortunately we tragically lost to the Juniors. It was a big deal for us of course! We couldn't accept that we lost. We were very heart broken. haha But days or weeks after, we eventually got over it. The defeat just made the batch more united and stronger than ever:) Funny thing is, the day after the competition, we were in a "It's-us-against-the-world" state (I'd put it in that way). The high school seniors' corridors were bleeding red. All the girls wore red head bands & ribbons, the guys managed to put something red in their uniforms too. Then we had our own version of a "riot," or a "pep talk"but it was more of a speech during lunch at one of the big areas at the Canteen. All of the seniors gathered around and at one point we chanted a cheer? (take note, we were wearing something bright red. Scary. haha). 

Looking back, I realized we were such dramatic creatures. But come on, we were in high school, drama is common & acceptable, moreover, I now see it as a good story to tell. It was our story. :)

NOW, On to the PRESENT...

Each batch votes on a theme which embodies their batch and their color (specifically). The theme plays a vital role because this is where everything will evolve - from the cheers and yells, to the shirts, to the mascots, costumes, etc. During our time, our freshmen days had a summer theme; our sophomore days had a rock theme; then we had "Treskantadia," and "Agilang Senyores." 

Seniors usually have the "burden" or innate responsibility of uniting the four batches through their cheers, also school loyalty must be shown since it's their last year in CSA. 

The set up was odd. Looked very familiar! If they haven't changed the mechanics yet, a representative from each batch is tasked to draw a piece of paper for three times. This would indicate where the batch will be seated, which batch enters first, and which batch gets to cheer first. In this case, all the batches were seated exactly in this manner during our time - 6 years ago.

I wasn't able to watch the cheer leaders well because of our seats:( the tickets were numbered and the tickets we got were from this view. 

And so, history did repeat itself. Juniors won, Seniors lost. But with all fairness, the seniors were such a good sport:) During our time, let's just say we loved our batch way too much. haha!

Minor Awards: Best in Mascot - Seniors; Best Shirt Design & Most Creative Entrance - Sophomores; Best Bleacher design, Band, Pep Song interpretation - Juniors

Major Awards: Best Squad - Seniors; Best in Cheer Leading - Juniors.

Overall Winner: Juniors. Congratulations!:)

This was my brother's batch:) I decided to watch now, while I can because I might not be able to watch anymore next year, when my brother reaches senior year. There are slight differences  compared to the previous competitions, specially with what CSA song is used. We used to interpret the CSA Cheers & Yells, but this time, it's only the short Pep Song, thus generally shortening the duration of the performance of each batch.

Again, what's all the fuss about? I guess this competition simply plays a big role in every Augustinian's high school life and I'm glad this was all part of my wonderful High School years:)

October 19, 2012