by Barry Cyrus Viloria

Last Sunday, as we all know, the biggest annual cheerdance competition happened in the country. Thousands of people once again set foot in the Araneta Coliseum to witness seven schools of the UAAP have their pep squads groove, leap, and toss themselves to the air. School spirit was everywhere and even if “cheerdance” is technically not a word, there’s no stopping them.

We are still months away from the next UAAP CDC, but you can always start preparing early. Photo by Justinde Jesus

On the contraire, the UAAP Cheerdance Competition also translates to long lines, bloodcurdling crowds, desperate hunt for tickets and other tight spots which a normal logistics team of some foreign concert artist faces. Well, only tighter. The event is almost horrible to the wits especially if you’re not prepared.

Yes, the UAAP CDC has evolved to something beyond an inter-university event, a la Ateneo-La Salle basketball match. It’s an identity event and no one takes identity suppression easily. It requires extensive preparation and gall to attend one.

That said, we in Full Court Fresh here have come up with a few noteworthy tips to carry out before, during and after the competition. Because it’s only less than 365 days again to see who’s bringing those body-hugging costumes to the top, we thought we’ve learned enough how to handle the UAAP CDC less aggravatingly:

BEFORE CHEERDANCE

•It’s a fact that tickets are scarce especially if you’re purchasing some from the top schools which battle for cheerdance-dom. But it’s never one that you won’t find anything if you don’t have ‘contacts.’ Tickets are everywhere if you’re eager enough. Try getting some friends from their schools who won’t watch anyway to buy you some. And repay the favor later on.

•Don’t bother asking your pep squad friends if they do have tickets. If they do have,they’ve of course reserved it for their more likely intimates. If they don’t have, well, you can’t make them go around and scour for you. They’re not TicketNet hawkers, you’ll ruin their focus.

• As much as possible, avoid scalpers. For Pete’s sake, not only that you’re giving in to foolishness but you’re also being desperate.

• And for that matter, don’t try being A Scalper. For Pete’s sake, not only that you’re giving in to greediness but you’re also being desperate.

DURING THE EVENT

You'd rather sit with your schoolmates than get lost in enemy territory. But if you do find yourself sitting opposite the team you're cheering, be diplomatic. Photo by Justin de Jesus

• So after gulping your multivitamins, eating a carbs-filled breakfast and wearing a shirt that resonates how proud you are of your school, go to Araneta at least an hour and a half early. We’re being practical here—comfortable seats are as scarce as tickets and you don’t want to overstretch your knee pits by going SRO.

• Having eaten already, steer clear of buying from the fries or hotdog peddlers around. You know by heart that the price is three or four times from the grocery. You also know that you can’t bring food from the outside. The Big Dome has its separate economics so don’t bother asking us about it.

• Of course you’d want to sit in your own school’s deck. Otherwise, you’ll be cheering for your squad with folks glaring at you. If this happens, be considerate to seatmates especially if you don’t go to the same school. Be friendly. Who knows how it will save you.

• Complex gadgets— or what security men think as “complex” or worse, what they think as “security”— should be left at home. In particular DSLRs, expect the ones by the media men, are strictly asked to be banked at the deposit area.

AFTER CHEERDANCE

• The biggest challenge next to controlling your adrenaline from gushing out of your glands just seconds before Boom Gonzales announces the winners, is finding a place to eat… fast. Sure, Gateway and the adjacent malls home a good share of restaurant and fast food chains, and you thought you could just hang out there when you feel like it. Also sure, everyone’s thinking the same thing!

• Leave the whole complex maybe after two hours after the competition. Urban traffic jam could make you disheartened, much more when your school just lost. So unwind a little, go around the mall/s— not that we’re promoting consumerism or anything.

• As soon as you’ve reached home, rest well. Because you know that no matter how this historical intercollegiate episode tried summoning a beast out of you, it all leads down to one thing: You still have class tomorrow.