The UST Yellow Jackets (abbreviated as UST YJ or simply YJ) is the official pep squad and drumline of the University of Santo Tomas. Together with the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, the UST YJ form the official cheerdance team of the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition. The UST Yellow Jackets also perform for halftime during the games of the UST Growling Tigers, the Men's Basketball team of the university in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

The UST Yellow Jackets live by the motto, "Suaviter in Modo, Fortiter in Re".

History The organization was founded by Michael Ismael Flores (aka Ancient Mike) from Baliwag, Bulacan, who first joined a dedicated P.E. Class-Cheering Squad (by his mentor Mr. Mike Silbor) in 1990 as a cheerleader. He was the first official resident cheerleader from 1990-1992. In August 1993, he formed the UST Bangers. All 8 pioneering members were initially hardcore head-banging, ear-pounding cheer drummers; hence, the name "Bangers" was coined. The group was formed during the beginning of the 4-peat era of the UST Men's Basketball Team. The UST Department of Physical Education (now known as the Institute of Physical Education & Athletics) officially recognized his leadership and his team under the said name.

GO USTE! was created by Ancient Mike in 1992. The original chant had a slower tempo and lower pitch (just like that of Vanilla Ice's Go Ninja).

In 1995, the first halftime cheer was done by a lone member of the group, Richie Medalla. It was at a women's basketball game, done over a dare to do the cheers of UST, traditional style. Then soon, others wanted in the action, cheering during pregame and halftime on the court. In 1997, the group became the official pep squad of the university under the name "UST Yellow Jackets" and was placed under UST's Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA). Under IPEA, the organization was placed under the advisory of Mr. Robinson Laxa (1994-2007), Mr. Raymond Anselmo (2008–2016), Mr. Teodoro Dela Peña (2016–2019), Mr. Al Denn Lozada (2019-2020), and Mrs. Pauline Gabayan (2020-Present).

The group got its name, as suggested by Richie Medalla from the insect, yellow jacket which is part of the wasp family and known for their black and yellow stripes (the university colors of UST).

Logo The original logo of the UST Yellow Jackets was designed by Franco Cachero (Batch '97, '99). It was a simple banner with the letters USTYJ on top and MDCXI at the bottom. The upper letters were larger than those on the lower part and the "UST" font was in white Times New Roman while the "YJ" font was in undefined yellow font. The "MDCXI" simply pertains to 1611, the year which UST was founded, in Roman numerals. This was later changed to Est. 1993, which was the original date of the establishment of the organization under the name UST Bangers. A wasp, or the yellow jacket, was then added by Alfred Tanopo (Batch 2003) beneath the revised logo to further define the identity of the group.

Officers Year President Head Drummer Head Cheerleader Secretary Asst. Secretary Treasurer Auditor P.R.O. 2000 Mark San Juan Tristan Granados Adrian Garcia Candice Barilea Sam Malli Christer Gaudiano 2001 Franco Cachero Matt Santiago Adrian Garcia Christer Gaudiano Candice Barilea Froilan Pitpit & Jabo Vicente 2002 Franco Cachero RJ Gayondato Adrian Garcia Christer Gaudiano Vanna De Leon Vanessa De Castro 2003 Billy Pineda Errol Martin Jepi Peralta Joseph Silverio Je Marquez Jed Regala 2004 Je Marquez Joseph Silverio Jepi Peralta Jed Velarde Miko Livelo Jed Regala 2005 Miko Livelo Neil Tin Jed Regala Jed Velarde Elyan Oblifias Josephine Donato 2006 Donn Carlo Alicante RJ Mallari Angelo Cachero Raymond Agustin Babs Corpuz Miko Livelo 2007 Jed Regala RJ Mallari Joseph Regla Raymond Agustin Mark Mendoza Babs Corpuz Ace Mendoza Mico Letargo 2008 Raymond Agustin Jeff Gorriceta Mark Jimenez Mark Lean Mendoza Carlos Montesclaros Ace Mendoza Lesley Ann Vivero Jolo Livelo 2009 Jeff Gorriceta Marco Carlos Edan Andan Carlos Montesclaros Miko de Vera Patrick Isla Angelo Genuino Chris Gerard Ortiz 2010 Gian Rosanes Marco Carlos Patrick Peñacerrada Art Villaluz Roy Robles Neil Zorilla Vernice Ortiz Chris Gerard Ortiz 2011 Miko De Vera John Raymond Roque Jimson Mirador Art Villaluz Leo Marco Adriano Neil Zorilla Renz Garcia Raymund Salumbides 2012 Marco Roberto Carlos Irvin Jason Layno Jimson Mirador Leo Marco Adriano Edmir Capuno Ver Gabriel Bedaño Gilbert Campos Raymund Salumbides 2013 Leo Marco Adriano Irvin Jason Layno Jimson Mirador Edmir Capuno Jerica Dela Cruz Gilbert Campos Joseph Tan Raymund Salumbides 2014 Judd Usita Joseph Tan Shan Mercado Aries Annang Rallion Bautista Gilbert Campos Christian Esmael Raymund Salumbides 2015 Alvin Tong Rallion Bautista Shan Mercado Aries Annang Patricia Viola Joshua Coronel Edward Pancho Louie Espejo 2016 Judd Usita Rallion Bautista Noel Zorilla Patricia Viola Myka Ibarrola Edward Pancho Junel Fronda Raymund Salumbides 2017 Lorenzo Galvez Earl Ello Jerome Gulinao Seatiel Chavez Myka Ibarrola Junel Fronda Paolo Hilario Edmer Diaz 2018 Eriko Macatangay Earl Ello Jerome Gulinao Ezra Viola Juan Hizon Chile Chaguile Jude Acibo Sean Abela 2019 Earl Ello Angelo Abella Mark Lopez Juan Hizon Adriene Alladin Bryan Collantes Isaac Nuque Randonn Belen 2020 Isaac Nuque Ervin Cruz Randonn Belen Adriene Alladin Joel Baquiran Jr. Alyssa Libed Kathleen De Ramos Roshir De Castro 2021 Isaac Nuque Ervin Cruz Randonn Belen Adriene Alladin Mikhaela Ballano Janaya Manalad Adriane Sudla Mark Rafer 2022 Isaac Nuque Anton Mata Adriane Sudla Mikhaela Ballano MJ Torres Janaya Manalad Myka Adriano Charm Torres 2023 Anton Mata Ralph Calas Raeza Jacob & Joe Montoro Rikka Parafina Virgo Viola Ingrid Villaruz Dhea Sillano Charm Torres 2024 Adriane Sudla Ralph Calas Joe Montoro Virgo Viola Gelene Pesico Ingrid Villaruz Stephanie Veloso Charm Torres

Awards The UST Yellow Jackets and the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, jointly, are tied with the UP Pep Squad for having the most number of UAAP Cheerdance Competition championships. As of today, both UST and UP have won 8 championships.Ruth L. Navarra (September 17, 2007), "Champions of Cheer" , Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 17, 2007."2007 Interview with UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe prior the 2007 competition". They also have the longest championship run in the said competition with 5; from 2002 and 2006. EventYearAwardJollibee Chi-Cheer Kayo Challenge (UAAP) 1994ChampionJollibee Chi-Cheer Kayo Challenge (UAAP) 1995ChampionBest Jollibee CheerJollibee Chi-Cheer Kayo Challenge (UAAP) 1996ChampionJollibee Chi-Cheer Kayo Challenge (UAAP) 1997ChampionHall of Fame AwardeeNestlé Magnolia Crunch Cheering Competition 19991st Runner UpNestlé Non-Stop UAAP Cheerdance Competition 20001st Runner UpNestlé Non-Stop UAAP Cheerdance Competition 20012nd Runner UpAlder T. Almo (October 10, 2002), "Back in the groove", The Varsitarian. Retrieved September 20, 2007.Puspusan Sa Busan Cheering Competition 20021st Runner UpNestlé Non-Stop UAAP Cheerdance Competition 2002ChampionNestlé Non-Stop UAAP Cheerdance Competition 2003ChampionAdrian Carlo Velasco (September 24, 2005), "Musing on the cheerdance hype", Manila Standard Today. Retrieved September 17, 2007.Nestlé Non-Stop UAAP Cheerdance Competition 2004ChampionNestlé Non-Stop UAAP Cheerdance Competition 2005ChampionLlanesca T. Panti (October 15, 2005), "‘Gawi notches fourth straight title", The Varsitarian. Retrieved September 20, 2007.UAAP Cheerdance Competition 2006ChampionMa. Jesamine D.G. Palarca (2006), "Salinggawi reigns high for five", The Varsitarian. Retrieved September 20, 2007.Samsung UAAP Cheerdance Competition 20071st Runner UpGMA News (September 17, 2007), "UP pep squad is 2007 UAAP cheer dance champion", GMANews.TV. Retrieved September 17, 2007.Samsung UAAP Cheerdance Competition 20081st Runner UpSamsung UAAP Cheerdance Competition 20102nd Runner UpUAAP Cheerdance Competition 20142nd Runner UpUAAP Cheerdance Competition 20151st Runner UpUAAP Cheerdance Competition 20164th PlaceUAAP Cheerdance Competition 20172nd Runner UpUAAP Cheerdance Competition 20184th PlaceUAAP Cheerdance Competition 20194th PlaceUAAP Cheerdance Competition 20214th PlaceUAAP Cheerdance Competition 20222nd Runner UpUAAP Cheerdance Competition 20232nd Runner Up

See also UST Growling Tigers Salinggawi Dance Troupe UAAP Cheerdance Competition

References