Sports

Meet Nicolette Erica Ambulo, the 19-year-old third-year student at the UP College of Education and UP pep squad cheerleader who gotten more attention with her newfound fame-Samsung Stunner of the year 2012, in the recently concluded UAAP Cheerdance competition held in SM Mall of Asia Arena on September 22, 2012.

“I feel flattered... Some people are taking pictures with me and congratulating me but there are some poeple who still don't understand why we shaved our heads,” she said.

She was chosen over Akua Henaku-Larbi of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Salinggawi Dance Troupe and De La Salle University (DLSU) Animo Squad’s Maja Reyes. 

In an interview with ABS-CBN news, Ambulo admitted that it was a huge sacrifice to let go of what’s generally considered a woman’s “crowning glory.”

Nicolette Erica Ambulo cried when she learned that they had to shave their heads for the UAAP Cheerdance Competition. However, she was conviced to do it all for the love and dedication to the University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad and as a tribute to Oble (Oblation).

Everyone eventually agreed to the plan. Ambulo said this only showed “how passionate and dedicated we really are to this sport to the point of shaving our heads.”

Asked if she feels awkward when people ask to have pictures taken with her, she said: “Since I was a kid, I always wanted to perform for people and be in front of the camera. I always pose and ask for my relatives to take photos of me. HAHA (I'm vain, I know.) So I guess I don't feel awkward or anything but I wouldn't say that I'm used to this.”

“I feel so blessed and thankful to God because the team worked really hard for this. I myself worked so hard to have a spot in the competition line up. So everything is like a dream for me. I am so happy and overwhelmed with all the love and support given by the whole UP community,” she said.

Ambulo said she could never express how much grateful she is for the unconditional love shown by the UP community.

She said the supportive UP community has always been their motivation.

“Ito rin 'yung isa sa mga motivation namin na we need to work even harder in order to improve and to give the UP community a great performance. Important sa amin na mapasaya and mapaiyak sa magandang paraan ang mga nanunuod sa mga routine namin,” she said.

“Yun po talaga ang main goal. Makapagbigay saya sa mga taong nanunuod,” Ambulo added.

Source: ABS CBN news

Erica: Congratulations from the entire staff of DiversityHuman.com. You deserve it! Stay beautiful and humble!