5UPREME Is Hot To Go!

by Iris Agbayani

From the Blue Corner, with 4 wins in the ring… Let us welcome ISAB—

Under the heat of the 10th day of August, the Capital Arena became more than just a stage, it became the battlefield where 5UPREME fought for their fifth crown. With every stunt, every chant, and every beat of determination, they carried not only their own hopes but the legacy of a school that had long been called the Home of the Champions.

5 is Not Just a Number

Whether it would be 5AM call-times, 5 mistakes, 5 failures, or 5 injuries, each one carried its own weight. Days of restlessness blurred into sleepless nights, as the squad endured not only the physical strain but also the mental pressure that came with every passing day. For them, the number 5 not only symbolizes the 5th win, but it stands as the sum of sacrifices every single member has faced.

“It wasn’t easy getting in,” one squad member shared. “We had a screening, first and final. If you passed the first screening you’ll have to go through the final one. Since only 40 members are needed, getting past that cut-off was difficult.”

The real challenge? It began once they were accepted.

With the announcement delayed, the team was left with just two weeks to master an entire routine. “Well, of course we had some difficulties, especially since we were only given two weeks to finish it and we even thought it was already canceled. Within those two weeks, we had no rest, not even on the weekends, and our practices would last until late at night.”

Blood, Sweat, and Cheers

The journey was brutal, both physically and emotionally. “We’ve been through hell,” the member admitted. “Everyday practice, the lack of sleep, we start early in the morning and wrap it late at night.” As the pain in their bodies reflected the emotional burden they faced everyday. Despite the bruises and aching muscles, which were more than a reflection of physical exhaustion; they carried the emotional weight of expectations. Each stumble on the mat felt heavier because it meant more pressure, more doubt, more urgency to rise again.

As the pain in their bodies seized to raise the emotional burden they faced every day, the squad realized that the hardest battles were not always fought on the mat, but within themselves.

Heavy is the Crown

Winning is easy; defending a legacy is harder. Isabela National High School carries four consecutive wins, meaning, not only was the squad aiming for the win, they were protecting our history.

“There’s pressure knowing that the school is the defending champion,” the member explained. “We didn’t just perform for ourselves, we had to prove that INHS is still deemed worthy.”

The crown glittered, but to the squad, it was heavy. Forged by expectations, tradition, and responsibility of living up the name Home of the Champions.

One Team, One Dream, 5 Times Stronger

Despite the struggles, the squad never stood alone. With each member leaning on another, like the strands of silk woven into a web, each member was fragile on their own, but together, they were unbreakable.

They rose together as one. “We fought as a team, for INHS,” said the member. The unison of their stunts and chants reflected the unison of their hearts.

And on the day of the performance, their favorite memory wasn’t just hearing their school announced as champion. It was the bus ride home, laughing and shouting so loud that strangers thought they were campaigning. “But the best moment,” the member smiled, “was when we entered the school gates with the 5th crown. 5UPREMACY.”

Pain to Podium

Then there it was, the final announcement. Every bruise, every drop of sweat, every tear shed finally fell into place. They emerged victorious.

Every sleepless night and every aching limb became the steel that forged their blade of triumph; a blade that carved not just another victory, but a legacy. A tradition to be passed down, and a reminder that behind every crown lies the sacrifice of those who wore it.