beRDeNG ManSAnAs

The recently concluded 5th Panagbenga cheerdance competition left me disappointed with result. Yes, we lose by an inch but that is not the point. Winning and losing are part of the game and no matter how clean and organize the event was, any competition in general, there would always be that someone who would claim that their team deserved that piece of crap or should I say trophy.
The College of Engineering and Architecture Pep Squad of Saint Louis University is a regular campaigner in all cheerdance competitions in Baguio, not to mention that the squad was the first Baguio school to compete in national scene in 2005.
The 5th Panagbenga leg was held last Feb 22 at Burgos Gym, SLU. Among other competitions both locals and nationals for cheerdance, this was the only cheering event that a mixed squad was allowed to compete as one team for college category. And that is not limited to colleges of one school but different schools formed together as one team. That would be fine as long the information was properly stipulated on guidelines and rules given to participating teams.
Criteria for judging were different from what was mentioned by the lousy hosts and the one that was used by the judges.
Transparency was also mentioned throughout the show. The organizer wanted to give the audience an idea on how the competitors performed and ranked after every performance so they showed the scores on wide screen visible to everyone. However, during the awarding ceremony, the results were entirely different from what was expected based on the tally sheet given. That would be acceptable if and only if explanations were given before giving out awards. Worst, no explanations at all.
Uniforms of every performer should be kept secured during the performance. Lucky for one team because they were able to used obscenity to attract the crowd to laugh. And sorry for you girl because the sight was not really good.
The judges were identified as those who knew a lot about cheerdancing. For that, I commend the organizer. However, it was doubtful and frustrated to know that all judges agreed in giving almost similar scores in all teams, both high school and college, but failed to met the same for the last performer. Four out of five judges gave 60+ scores in one team and judge number gave only 45. I did not want to doubt your credibility judge number one but everyone except you thought what you did was biased. Are you saying you were a better judge and your taste was farr off better than those who are coaching internationally? I doubt it. How about giving a higher score for failed pyramid attempts? Not once but twice?
Panagbenga theme should be applied based on host’s last words. And guidelines showed clearly that the theme should applied using panagbenga music or cordilleran music. However, it was mentioned that a flower should also be a part of a performer’s uniform where in fact it was not stated in rules provided. Worst, there was a corresponding point for that which is actually not a part of the criteria and was not properly disseminated to participants.
Where is transparency now?
I asked for explanations after the competition. It is my right as a coach. And till now I haven’t received any. I am just asking for some words and not to appeal to change the results. Is that hard to do? That would only be hard if the competition was truly taken against us. Am I right? Please correct me.
The first Panagbenga competition was held last 2005, and not 2007. Please rephrase your words that you started cheerdance in baguio because before the “so-called-first-cheerdance”, cheerdance was visible through us and other squads. And please remember that your career in cheerdancing started with us.
Yes, we did not win. But you certainly knew who should.
Please answer.
Dialling…
Connecting…
Out of reach…
I rest my case.
Peace.