FORMER Salinggawi member Mark Chaiwalla is back, this time to coach the dance troupe in its bid to recapture the UAAP cheerdance championship it last won in 2006.
Chaiwalla replaced Ramon Pagaduan IV, who guided Salinggawi from 2012 until May this year.
The 26-year old, who was appointed in June, said he plans to veer away from Pagaduan’s sophisticated style and introduce a routine which will include more dangerous stunts.
“[An] example of our differences is how I try to attack a routine in terms of picking up a specific set of cheer elements. I want to give it all during our performances while coach [Ramon] is very specific with the cleanliness of the routine,” Chaiwalla told the Varsitarian.
Chaiwalla knows he has big shoes to fill. His predecessor, Pagaduan, who now coaches of the De La Salle University Animo Squad, led Salinggawi to silver and bronze medal finishes in 2015 and 2014, respectively.
But Chaiwalla said he did not hesitate to take over after Pagaduan left.
“I’ve always been passionate on what we’ve been doing here and coaching as well. I told myself that if coach [Ramon] is not the coach anymore, I might try as well,” he said.
Chaiwalla said several personalities from other UAAP schools also applied for the position but what made him stand out was his familiarity with the squad.
“I know what goes around in Salinggawi. I know the tradition, the system and how we do things here. I wouldn’t need to adjust much in terms of learning the system,” he added.
Chaiwalla had to leave his job as staff nurse in the UST Hospital, where he worked since 2015, due to his new priority.
Optimistic
Although key members of the dance squad graduated last June, Chaiwalla is optimistic that the current crop will be able to bring home the school’s ninth championship. UST and the University of the Philippines Pep Squad are currently tied with eight championships apiece in tournament history.
Chaiwalla said that the team started training since mid-July to prepare for the 23rd edition of the competition, which will be held in October or November.
“Every year, there will always be something where they need to improve on. Even though they are already strong, it does not mean that we stop there. You should always find a way to improve on that specific part where you are strong,” he said.
