Fans, student athletic organizations, as well as with the supporters of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) were in uproar over a new rule issued by its Board of Trustees prior to Season 81 Opening last September 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The controversial rule lowered the number of drummers during UAAP games from the customary three snare drummers and five bass drummers to only two snares and one bass drum for each school.
Using the hashtag #StandWithTheUAAPDrummers, UAAP fans and supporters twitted that they want to protect the league’s culture and continue rooting for their school with so much pride and honor by shouting their loudest cheers.
In their official statements, the student councils of member schools Far Eastern University and University of the East emphasized the hard work and sacrifice of the drummers and that they were already part of a decades-old tradition at the games.
Netizens, on the other hand, pointed out that this rule will not only go against culture and tradition but is also unfair to the schools’ hardworking cheering squads.
For them, the drummers are important part of the league’s glorious history.
Photo Courtesy of AUDYO (Adamson University Drummers Yellers On-line)