For the second straight year, the FEU Cheering Squad won second place in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition. And for the second time in 10 years, a Michael Jackson-inspired theme placed second in the annual meet.
Back in 2009, current FEU head coach Randell San Gregorio was then handling the Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion.
Just months after the passing of the man known as the “King of Pop”, Ateneo paid tribute to the man with a Michael Jackson-inspired performance. It remains the only podium finish for the BBB, who placed second during that time.
“It’s hard to beat Michael Jackson.”
To commemorate the 10th year anniversary of Jackson’s passing, San Gregorio once again had Jackson as his main inspiration.
Using a medley of various MJ hits, including “Bad”, “Beat It”, and “Smooth Criminal”, the SM Mall of Asia Arena turned into a disco bar with the 19,000-strong in attendance dancing to the beat.
For the performers, besides doing Jacko’s anti-gravity lean, one of the members of the Cheering Squad also did a moonwalk — just like BBB 10 years ago.
“After last year’s 70s funky theme, parang sabi ko ‘Paano natin ita-top yun? Eh kung dance lang, parang ang hirap i-top nung ’70s.’ Sabi ko, ‘Eh di si Michael Jackson na lang.’ Music ni Michael Jackson imposibleng ‘di ka maka-relate. Kahit ‘di mo siya kilala, imposibleng ‘di ka iindak sa music niya eh. Sabi ko, ‘yun na lang para ‘yung dance natin, mapantayan yung hype ng ’70s,” said San Gregorio.
“Plus na-realize ko lang na it’s Michael’s tenth year death anniversary. So sakto siya, very timely.”
It ultimately ended up with second.
Again, who does not love Michael Jackson?
