Stand Proud, Shout Loud: Grand Pep Rally Campus Tour Ignites AU Spirit for NCAA Season 102

By admin, 15 September, 2026

The Arellano University community erupted into a sea of blue and red as the highly anticipated Grand Pep Rally 2026 took the spirit of the Chiefs on the road. The annual celebration brought students, alumni, faculty, and fans together across multiple branches to rally behind their student-athletes ahead of NCAA Season 102.

Spearheaded by the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) under the leadership of Dean Sherwin Punla, the tour united the AU community across five campuses—starting at Juan Sumulong on August 26, continuing through Andres Bonifacio and Plaridel on September 2, and wrapping up at Apolinario Mabini and Jose Abad Santos on September 3.

The energetic proceedings were co-hosted by Dhennis Castañeda, President of the Arellano University Supreme Student Council (AUSSC), and Prince Esguerra, Branch OSA Coordinator for the Plaridel Campus. Setting the stage for an explosive program at each stop, the thunderous beat of the AU Drum Chiefs echoed through the venues, instantly electrifying the audience and setting a dynamic tone for the celebration.

Taking the stage to deliver the opening remarks, Mr. Valente V. Cayco, Vice President for Marketing and Athletic Director, delivered an inspiring address centered on resilience, heritage, and victory. Reminding the athletes of the true essence of sportsmanship, Mr. Cayco shared a powerful charge: "Champions are not made when things are easy. Champions are made when you refuse to give up when things get hard." Rallying the entire community behind a shared goal, he closed with a bold rally cry for the upcoming season: "Chiefs, this is our time. This is our moment. Let’s bring home that championship!"

Following the inspiring address, Senior Assistant Athletic Director Ms. Joy Apolonio introduced the head coaches and athlete rosters across all sports disciplines. Looking back at recent successes, Ms. Apolonio recapped the impressive podium finishes and championship runs from NCAA Seasons 101, she urged the teams to aim even higher for NCAA Season 102.

Recent NCAA Highlights:

AU Pep Squad: Champion (Senior Division)
Junior Basketball: 1st Runner-up
Junior Basketball 3x3: 1st Runner-up
Junior Badminton: 1st Runner-up
Girls' Volleyball: 1st Runner-up
Junior Chess: 2nd Runner-up
Boys' Volleyball: 2nd Runner-up
Boys' Beach Volleyball: 2nd Runner-up

Adding to the excitement, the athletes stepped into the spotlight with surprise dance performances, showing off their charm and energy to massive cheers from the crowd.

The grand tour concluded with a compelling call to action from Dean Sherwin Punla alongside the team captains across all sports disciplines. Together, they urged the entire Arellano community across every campus to fill the arenas, wear the school colors with pride, and stand firm behind the blue-and-red warriors throughout the NCAA Season 102 campaign.

To sum it up, the Grand Pep Rally Campus Tour was more than just a series of events—it was a resounding declaration of unity, pride, and unwavering determination. With a shared ambition for the championship and an unbreakable spirit connecting every branch, the Chiefs are ready to conquer the NCAA Season 102.

HAIL TO THE CHIEFS!

- Heaven Joy Prado

PEP Rally 2026