GHICKA Bernabe’s legacy as one of Philippine cheerdance’s all-time greats is one of a kind.
NU Pep Squad’s new head coach Gab Bajacan looks to start a new one since building the dynasty that they are now with Bernabe since 2011.
READ: NU ties UST, UP as winningest squad after dominating UAAP 87 CDC
And for him, second time proved to be the charm.
Bajacan took a trip down memory lane shortly after leading NU to the cusp of cheerdance immortality — one which he gave Bernabe huge credit to for being the architect of this modern-day dynasty.
“Nu’ng kami nina coach Ghicka, we arrived at NU na mga clueless pa kaming musmos. We’re in our 20s pa nung una kaming nagkasama nang sabay. We planned everything about this program, lahat,” Bajacan said.
“Kami po ay nagko-coach ng San Sebastian before. Then nu’ng dumating ‘yung opportunity with NU, kami ‘yung binitbit ni coach Ghicka. Talagang from head-to-toe ng programa, alam namin kung paano namin siya gagamitin nang mabuti.”
Defying gravity
Bajacan made amends for last year’s bridesmaid finish by leading NU to a record-tying eighth UAAP Cheerdance Competition title, joining the ranks of UP Varsity Pep Squad and UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe.
With futuristic and intergalactic elements on display, NU’s iconic routine was ‘out of this world.’
And this feat, from sweeping all eight special awards to winning it all, was no different because they’ve only just begun.
“‘Yung mga tao po na sumu-support sa’min, lagi po nilang sinasabi na ang routine namin is out of this world na talaga. We decided na buhayin talaga siya at gawing theme,” said Bajacan.
“Lumabas talaga kami sa Earth at pumunta sa universe.”
NU has now defied the odds that there’ll ever be a third horse in a once two-way race to cheerdance supremacy between UP and UST.
Now all tied up with eight badges of honor each, best believe NU hopes for more - and actually wants to have the most.
As Bajacan puts it, “Kami sa NU, lalo naming icha-challenge ‘yung sarili namin this season, ‘yung maging gutom talaga sa knowledge to create something new and it will not be stagnant.
“Hopefully, ma-claim pa namin ‘yung ninth, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th. Hangga’t kaya po talaga namin, we will do so.”
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