Philippines Cheer Club Breaks Barriers, Gets Crowned as Cheerleading World Champions

Who doesn’t love the story of an underdog? The Southies Cheer Club entered the ICU World Cup in Seoul with almost no expectations, but walked out as the deserved champions. They became the maiden Filipino pep squad to be crowned winners and win gold at the ICU World Cup. There are over 70 nations that participate in the tournament.

The competition has three distinct divisions: Hip Hop, Pom, and Cheerleading Divisions. The Philippines Cheer Club won gold in the CoEd Elite Cheerleading Category. Their journey only began a year ago as a team, and they have not looked back since!

Philippines are the new world cheerleading champions

Having only just competed in the Open CoEd Elite Division of the National Cheerleading Championship, the Philippines delegation finished at an impressive second. It awarded them the silver medal and with it, a chance to represent their country in the ICU World Cup in Seoul. Cheer Pilipinas selected the team after they put up a stellar show at the National Cheerleading Championship.

Speaking to the assistant coach of the team, Shawn Argel Delos Santos, the hardships and setbacks the team had to face came to light. Everything did not fall into place and their journey to gold was one filled with thorns. It started with assembling a team.

They held auditions for former cheerleaders from the University of Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Their team consisted of carefully picked individuals, with the will to grind in tough and new circumstances.

A hard fought and well-earned victory

With a need to cater to the ICU guidelines on timings of their routines, the team had to make a massive shift. Originally, the team’s routine had a duration of 2 minutes and 30 seconds but had to reduce it to 2 minutes 15 seconds to match ICU regulations.

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“We had to brainstorm to ensure that all the included skills would be enough to secure high points,” Coach Santos said. “It was also a tough journey since most of us are already working. The only time we had for training was every weekend from June until the end of September.”

Their dedication, hard work and commitment were there for everyone to see. To put in such long hours of practice, even with the pressures of a job, is nothing short of commendable. Of the many challenges they faced, lack of funding from the government and assistance in training were the biggest hindrance.

Team members put money from their own pockets up to P100,000 each, to fulfill their dream of competing internationally. They tried every single route available and managed to secure the funds through donations and pledges. But if you thought that nothing else could go wrong, think again.

On the eve of the competition, one of their players suffered a knee injury, forcing them to rope in a reserve. Despite the numerous roadblocks that came their way, the team went on to achieve the unthinkable. The rookies usurped the veterans and were crowned champions! A day that no Filipino cheerleading team member will forget and one that will only take the sport to greater heights in the country.

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