University of the Philippines Pep Squad will continue their politically charged halftime chant, “Ikulong na ‘yan, mga kurakot,” in upcoming UAAP games, signaling that their message against corruption is here to stay.
The chant, which began in the September 21 protests, apparently has now found a new stage in the country’s premier varsity sports league.
“The UP Varsity Pep Drummers, or UP VPD, first chanted the ‘Ikulong na ’yan, mga kurakot’ with the UP community during the Black Friday protests at UP Diliman,” said UP Pep Squad head coach Herbie Villafranca.
“That was nearly a month ago, and since then, we’ve heard the chant echo through mobilizations, concerts, and mass gatherings. People are angry, and they have every right to be. More importantly, people must not forget.”
The announcement follows the recent UAAP Men’s Basketball matchup between UP and Ateneo last Wednesday, where both universities’ pep squads incorporated the chant into their halftime routines. The two squads drew cheers from fans, showing that sports can also be a platform for civic engagement.
“Given how warm the reception was [during UP-Ateneo], we intend to continue doing the chant regularly at basketball and football games to remind the public that no one has been jailed yet,” he added.
“We also hope to expand this effort to other sports in the future. Other universities are likewise welcome and encouraged to join us in chanting and pushing for the corrupt to be jailed and justice to be delivered.”
