Om-Eagle: Arielle Escalona

Arielle Escalona

Ateneo Babble Battalion

Pages on the web?

None; just the typical social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram)

Sport?

Cheerleading (Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion)

How long?

I took dancing in summer workshops back in grade school, but I officially joined the cheerleading varsity in my first year in high school (Poveda)

Competed internationally?

I was part of Team Pilipinas all-girls squad back in 2010, but I didn't continue training with them (because the schedule was too hectic--I was already part of Babble then and the training was separate). I never competed internationally-- just in nationals (National Cheerleading Competition) in both high school and college divisions against schools from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

What are you passionate about (asides from the sport)?

I am passionate about anything creative! I like creating things, designing, editing, and photography-- that's basically why I'm a comm-major.

Top three things you want to do now?

Asides from nailing the routine for the upcoming UAAP Cheerdance Competition, I also want to head to the best restaurant in town and eat anything and everything I want without feeling guilty about breaking the diet for the competition. After a really good meal, I'd also love to head to the beach to relax and get a massage.

Where do you want to travel?

Because cheerleaders in Ateneo have no off-season (we also train and perform during summer and breaks), I never really had the time to travel far. My family never gets to plan trips to Europe and America because I can't leave the Philippines for more than a week. A Euro-trip is definitely at the top of my list!

What makes an experience memorable?

I think any experience is memorable if you make it memorable. People might think that what we do is very routine-based, but believe it or not, every performance is different from the other. What matters is how we try to improve and do better in the next performances.

Most memorable experience you had?

The most memorable experience for me is my first UAAP Cheerdance Competition when I was in freshman year. It was my first time to be in a co-ed squad, my first competition in the college division, and my first time to perform in a stadium filled with almost 20,000 people. Five months into a 5-minute routine--it was definitely the best welcome to college!

What do you want to achieve?

Asides from bagging a trophy (or trophies), I'd also like to try to change the view of Ateneans to Blue Babble. Gone are the days when cheerleaders were only meant to lead the cheers in stadium aisles and perform for basketball halftimes. There is a whole different level of competition now, and sad to say, Ateneo has one of the least supporters for their squad.

Words you live by?

Fall seven times, stand up eight.

Secret talents?

I do hair and make-up for my teammates for performances and competitions. Maybe I can put up my own salon one day!

Random facts?

I can eat a 2-piece chicken joy with spaghetti, 2-piece burger steak, a jolly hotdog, fries and ice cream all in one sitting.