Even the "Best" Falls Down Sometimes

" . . . and the fourth place goes to the SocSci Division, third place . . . the Management Division . . . second place . . . the Humanities Division . . . and the first place goes to the Sciences Cluster!"

I was hugging the team when an announcement of this sort reached the crowd. A lot of the cheerleaders became teary-eyed and some of them even started crying. I didn't know how to handle the situation at the moment but all I could say was, "Okay ra na, guys (It's okay, guys)."

I then told the team to gather inside the GP3 room in the Management Division which was, unfortunately, still on the other side of the campus. It meant that the three-time champions had to contain what they're feeling (whatever that was) until we got into the said area.

We crossed the street and walked slowly, some of us feeling the sadness kicking into our systems. In my mind, all I could ever think was the fact that getting so used to winning makes it really difficult for them to handle defeat. Witnessing them enjoy the championship belt for three consecutive years also made it hard for me to react at this new situation. All of us were so comfortable at being at the top that we didn't know how it feels to lose anymore.

Upon reaching GP3, every sat and I felt how everyone's heart sank heavily. I was clueless about what to speak to them about but I knew I had to say something to ease the pain. I uttered a few sentences and then I started crying too. As I stood longer in the center of the room, I started to see all of the suffering they had to endure for the last two weeks. I remembered all of their bruises, wounds, muscle pains, and other physical injuries. This team worked so hard to complete a difficult routine. But their effort was not enough to make them win the competition for this year. Remembering all of these pinched my heart and caused me to shed some tears as I continued talking to them.

It is amazing how easily I have accepted the results of the contest. I didn't become bitter but I definitely got sad. Nevertheless, I have to credit the other teams for a job well done. They started really early and their preparedness paid off.

But still, I am proud of my team. They are the only team in UP Cebu where you can find girls who can lift boys, with boys who can do scorpions, with members who can do jump sequences, and with people who are very willing to push themselves to the limit.

It's always fun choreographing you, guys. You may not be the champion for this year but I know you have the skills and passion to become quality cheerleaders. This year's loss is just a trial. We just need to keep trying and see where our hard work will take us in the future.

Thank you so much for the opportunity of letting me share my talent. I will forever be grateful for the confidence you have in me although this time, my magic didn't work. I will miss you, guys. I hope to see you again soon!