Armed with a carefully-deliberated concept and intricate choreography, Accountancy (ACC) Griffins successfully defended the Sayawtenista crown, reigning as this year’s back-to-back champion.

Inspired by tragic stories of mining, particularly in Chile, the Griffins gave justice to color brown with their clear storyline and dangerous lifts.

“We had four concepts, four concept changes… Paduol na paduol ang competition, sige mi og change og concept; it was really a struggle,” Griffins Talents Head Kyle Ciger Sario said, emphasizing the difficulty of the color they represented.

Gian Ortego, president of ACC dance group Jaguar, added that the routine was only practiced for a week due to the changes.

“Risky talaga siya dahil marami kaming first-years pero kinaya namin,” he said, noting that only five from the group are seniors.

Accountancy Cluster Representative Junius Junsay acknowledged the consistency of Jaguar’s talent and determination.

“We’re very glad and very thankful for the Lord na gihatagan mi’g ing-ani nga talent sa Accountancy Cluster mismo – our very own Jaguar na gahi jud… For many years, gahi jud, ” he said.

The nine clusters showcased their talents in incorporating a social issue, value or feeling according to this year’s theme, “Color Speaks.”

School of Engineering and Architecture Tigers’ portrayal of cancer patients and their struggles in connection with color blue bagged the first runner up, just like last year.

Surprising the crowd with their clean routine, Humanities and Letters (HUMLET) Wolves projected the color green in nature effective enough to bag the second runner up.

As one of the clusters with few members, the Wolves struggled in finding “committed and compassionate dancers” and generating funds.

“Wolfpack had a hard time with the training because not all of them are well-trained but I saw the potential in them, the willingness and their strength… We don’t have that much resources, sponsors, and money but we still made it,” Princeey Vismanos, head of HUMLET’s dance group Wolfpack, said.

She also expressed the sense of fulfillment the cluster felt after achieving a longtime dream.

“The second runner up may just be second (runner up) but for us, it felt like we were on top like we were the champions… We are not just HUMLET; we are HUMLET; we are Wolves; we are Wolfpack, and we howl our victory,” she added.

Other performances from the clusters include Business and Management Vipers’ portrayal of inner peace, Computer Studies Chameleons’ depiction of liberation, and Natural Science and Mathematics Falcons’ Men in Black concept. The School of Education Sharks also interpreted gray’s depression; School of Nursing Panthers’ dangers of dynamic emotions and Social Sciences Dragons’ take on innocence and maturity.

The Sayawtenista 2019 criteria focused on team choreography, portrayal of the theme, production design, and showmanship.