Coaches and captains of UAAP pep squads, ahead of the UAAP Season 88 Cheerdance Competition, November 23, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media
MANILA -- The UAAP Season 88 Cheerdance Competition will be an avenue for the community to call for accountability and integrity in the Philippine government.
This, as the UAAP is encouraging its audience to wear white during the competition on November 29 at the Mall of Asia Arena, in support of the league's call: "Passion for Victory, Passion for Integrity! No to Corruption!"
This initiative is in line with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' call to wear white in a collective action against corruption and a push for accountability.
"We hope that this initiative encourages everyone in our community to stand together for integrity and hope," said UAAP Season 88 President Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP of University of Santo Tomas.
Throughout the season, the pep squads of UAAP universities have called for accountability among government officials during their halftime performances, in light of the flood control scandal.
This year's competition will also introduce a new order of performances. Starting this season, the host university will close the show, while the rotation of previous season hosts will determine the lineup.
READ: UST to perform last in Cheerdance Competition as UAAP introduces rotation system
The University of the Philippines Pep Squad—Season 87 host—will kick off the competition, followed by the UE Pep Squad, Adamson Pep Squad, DLSU Animo Squad, Ateneo Blue Eagles, defending champion NU Pep Squad, and FEU Cheering Squad.
The University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe will close the show.
The University of the Philippines Varsity Pep Squad will open with a Christmas-themed routine celebrating the country's rich holiday traditions.
Eager to surpass their fourth-place finish last year, the University of the East Pep Squad will transport the audience to East High School, swaying to hits from the iconic Disney movie High School Musical.
The Adamson University Pep Squad, Season 87 runner-up, will take the audience along on their journey toward a breakthrough championship with a narrative-driven routine.
Paying homage to their school's rich history in baseball—ranking as the fifth-best UAAP team in the sport with 10 championships across the seniors and juniors divisions—the De La Salle University Animo Squad will deliver a baseball-inspired routine.
The Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles will perform to the tunes of the animated film Sing.
As defending champions, the National University Pep Squad will perform sixth, aiming for a second consecutive cheerdance title to further cement their dominance in the modern era of the competition.
Expected to be a jaw-dropping routine, NU will feature a ninja-inspired performance designed to showcase fast-paced stunts and a fresh approach to cheerdance artistry.
In an effort to reclaim the crown they lost in Season 87, the Far Eastern University Cheering Squad will take the audience on a nostalgic journey, rekindling childhood memories with a routine inspired by traditional Philippine street games such as patintero, tumbang preso, and luksong tinik.
Eight-time champion University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe will close the show with a Halloween-inspired theme.