THE UST Golden Corps of Cadets ranked second among 12 competing Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) units during the second elimination round of the National Capital Region Regional Community Defense Group Fancy Drill Competition on Sunday, March 1.
UST garnered 477 points and a rating of 95.4% in the event held at the University Open Field, marking its first podium finish since the competition was established in 2024.
However, the unit fell short of the top six after placing seventh during the first two years of the contest.
Political Science sophomore Ian Drens Santos, the unit’s corps commander, said while the performance was the Thomasian cadets’ best so far, there is no reason for them to be complacent.
“You only have one week to polish, prepare everything. That’s our mindset; our practice is never enough. So, be confident but not complacent in what you have practiced and the routine you have made,” Santos told The Flame.
Third-year Financial Management student and corps executive officer Iosef delos Reyes said preparations for the competition were challenging, but the cadets’ commitment to training greatly contributed to their podium finish.
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina ranked first and third, with 479 and 475 points, respectively.
Also among the six finalists were the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (470 points), University of the Philippines Diliman (468 points) and Lyceum of Alabang (464 points).
The annual Fancy Drills Competition showcases the mastery of participating ROTC units in fundamental marching drills, exhibition of rifle drills, squad formations and the transitions in between. It precedes the celebration of ROTC month every March.
The following criteria were used in judging the units: performance and precision (30 points), snappiness and flawless execution (25), skills and fanciness of execution (25), appearance (10) and audience impact (10).
Dance steps, theatrical gestures and freestyle movements were considered violations that can reduce a team’s total score.
The first elimination round took place at the University of the Philippines Sunken Garden on Saturday, Feb. 28. The top six ROTC Units will compete in the final round of the competition on Sunday, March 8, at the Philippine Army’s national headquarters in Taguig City.
It was the first time the event was held at the University.
During the previous academic year, the UST Golden Corps of Cadets were hailed champions of the Regional Annual Administrative and Tactical Inspection for the first time in seven years. The unit also received the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Best ROTC Unit award in the same year. F
