| Sport | Dance and Cheerleading |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1968 |
| Based in | University of Santo Tomas |
| Colors | Gold, black, and white |
| Championships | 14 |
| Current Choreographer(s) | Mark Anthony Chaiwalla, Robert Stephen Biadoma |
| Website | UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe on Facebook |
The UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe (or simply Salinggawi or SDT), is the University-wide organization for dance and the official dance troupe of the University of Santo Tomas (UST). The group is known for its versatility covering wide array of genre from performing arts to cheerleading, from contemporary to breakdancing. The Salinggawi Dance Troupe is also the official cheerdance team along with the official pep squad and drumline - the U.S.T. Yellow Jackets of the University of Santo Tomas. The group also performs for the halftime during the games of the UST Growling Tigers, the university's Men's Basketball team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. The group is also the official team of the University to Skecher's Streetdance Competition.
Salinggawi is derived from the Filipino phrase "Salin ng mga dating Gawi at Lahi", which translates to "transfer of customs and traditions" in English.[1]
It was established in 1967 as the cultural group of UST.[1] It was the year when the former Philippine first lady Mrs. Imelda Marcos stirred the climate of the country for cultural rebirth. The formation of the dance troupe was spearheaded by Mrs. Emerita E. Basilio, an authority on the Philippine folk dance and a former directress of the women section of the Physical Education Department.[1] Along with her in this task are other dance teachers namely: Mrs. Delly Nabong, Mrs. Carmen Cruz, Mrs. Arce Garcia and volunteered students. Other founders include Prof. Rod Escobar Cantiveros, faculty member of Artlets, Engineering and UST High School, and administrative assistant at the Office of Public and Alumni Affairs, who was in charge of publicity and promotion; and Prof. Ramon Dellosa of the School of Fine Arts and Architecture. Prof. Cantiveros did the research for the name SALINGAWI, to develop the brand of the new cultural dance troupe which would compete with Bayanihan, Barangay Dance Troupe and Folklorico. The 1st word: SALIN means transfer, mobility, and GAWI means way of life, our own culture. Salinggawi, transfer of customes and traditions thru the dances.Prof. Basilio and the rest of the founders approved the name. The transcribed researchers of dances were interpreted into steps and expression, thus, creating a stage presentation out of the repetitious classroom exercises. Since its founding in 1967, Salingawi Dance Troupe had been invited to welcome foreign tourists and became a regular cultural group at restaurant owned by the famous Reyes family and some out of town performances. Magazines and news features gave Salinggawi Dance Troupe as one of the major dance companies in the Philippines. From months of refining and polishing the group transformed it into a performance on December 16, 1968. Known for its class and grace, UST SDT is one of the most awarded, most popular and most sought-after cheering/dance troupe in UAAP and in the Philippines alongside its archrival yet U.P. closest team.
SDT was the first team to earn the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth title in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition. SDT was also the only team to achieve a 5 consecutive win (2002-2006) as of the present time.
The dance troupe is composed of UST Students boarded together by their love and passion for dancing. They are auditioned and further trained to polish their talents until such time that they can execute the simplest step into perfection. The mark of the versatility in Performing Arts is characterized in every Salinggawi performance. Integrated into their program is orientation in the different aspects of entertainment such as scriptwriting, stage production and others.
| Choreographer[2] | Year[2] |
|---|---|
| Rene Hofilena | (1980―1992)
|
| David Jhoy Sasis IV | (1993―1997)
|
| Thea De Guzman | (1997―2000)
|
| Ma. Corazon Medalla | (2000―2002)
|
| Ryan Silva | (2002―2012)
|
| Ramon Pagaduan IV | (2012―2016)
|
| Robert Stephen Biadoma | (2015―2017)
|
| Mark Anthony Chaiwalla | (2017―2023)
|
| Emmanual
Francisco |
(2023–Present)
|
The Salinggawi logo symbolizes the dance troupe's aim for excellence in theater dances such as classical and modern ballet, jazz, modern dances, authentic folk dances and commercial dances as well. The overlapping character poses implies that the members are composed of men and women who want to exemplify Salinggawi's aim for perfection in dance. The horizontal rays represent the values integrated into their vigorous training. Those values are discipline, gratitude, respect, honesty, loyalty and integrity. These values are embodied by every Salinggawi dancer. It will hone them to become well-trained performers and responsible Thomasian leaders who will enrich and propagate the nation's desirable culture through dance.
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Main article: UAAP Cheerdance Competition |
The dance troupe, together with UST's official pep squad and drumline – the UST Yellow Jackets, is most popular as the university's official Cheerdance team for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
SDT Joined the first UAAP Cheerdance Competition in 1994 (then known as the Jollibee Chi-Cheer Kayo Challenge) and became champions for three straight years but opted out of the competition in 1998 and instead joined the Lipton Iced Tea Cheering Competition where they won first place.
In 1999 Salinggawi went back to regain the title however failed against UP Pep Squad which earned its first championship. UP Pep Squad held on to the title for another two years, matching Salinggawi's own record. In 2002, Salinggawi regained the title and held on to it for another four years. UP Pep Squad has been their consistent runner up until 2007 when UP Pep Squad won back the title. The consistent competition among the two groups developed hardcore fans and escalated further the competition among the members of the group. After UST SDT's loss to championship in 2007, the Troupe gradually went downhill placing 3rd, and in 2009, completely losing its place in the Top 3 list. In 2013, the troupe dropped to 7th place, their lowest since the inception of UAAP CDC. In 2014, a podium finish didn't come elusive for the dance troupe as they placed third behind UP.
They introduced this pyramid in 1995.[3] This pyramid varies each year in number of person involved, height, form, and mounting technique.
This ballet move was introduced in the Troupe's routine in 2003. The perfect execution, well-synchronized, and creatively choreographed form of fouette made it a distinct feature of UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe in every Cheerdance routine. In the early years of the competition, it was executed during the latter portion of their routine.
The squad used huge banners as props in their annual routine. It is usually colored black, gold or white.
For the third year in a row since 2006, as well as in 2003 and 2015, they ended their routine with its most popular cheer - "Go USTe!". The cheer was performed with its traditional choreography. As the group exits, the squad points to the Thomasian audience.
A banner carrying their campaign slogan is displayed by the Thomasian audience and usually represented a bid for a consecutive win.
The troupe organizes annual dance concerts usually for Thomasian audiences. Some of their past dance concerts are:
The UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe sponsors annual intercollegiate dance and cheering competitions in the University of Santo Tomas: