San Beda Red Lions

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San Beda Red Lions
San Beda College
San Beda College logo
San Beda Red Lions logo
League NCAA and WNCAA
Joined 1924
Seniors' general championships NCAA: none
Juniors' general championships NCAA: 9
(1982-83, 1988-89, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98)
Location Mendiola, Manila (Srs.)
Taytay, Rizal (Jrs.)
Team colors Red and white
Juniors' team Red Cubs
Women's team Red Lionesses
Staple cheer "Go San Beda fight!" (Lion's Roar),
"Animo San Beda!",
The Indian Yell

The San Beda Red Lions are the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) basketball team of San Beda College.

San Beda is the only founding member left in the league.[1][2][3][4]

The juniors team are the Red Cubs. The women's team are the Red Lionesses and are under the Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association. Although the other senior varsity teams may also be referred to as the Red Lions, there are other more appropriate names for each specific sport. The swimming team are known as the Sea Lions, the Football team the Red Booters, the Chess team, the Red Woodpushers.[3]

Contents

[edit] Name

San Beda College adopted the Red Lion emblem from the ancient Scottish/English heraldic symbol, the Red Lion Rampant.[2] [5] The school, named after the Venerable Bede of England, naturally chose the heraldic symbol of the ancient Scots/English for courage.[6] It has been said that the Judeo-Christian roots of the Anglo-Saxon world was preserved by the Benedictines during the Dark Ages through faith and courage.[7] Pope Benedict XVI himself openly declared that the Benedictines saved Europe's Christian roots.[8] San Beda pays tribute to the courage of the Benedictine monks by adopting the Red Lion, the symbol of courage in the Catholic tradition and in the land of St. Bede. [9]It has to be noted that the Benedictines are a key part of the history of Great Britain itself. [10][11][12]

[edit] Bedan Symbols

[edit] Red Lion and The Ancient Red Lion Rampant

The Red Lion Rampant
The Red Lion Rampant

The practice of adopting a school moniker became both fashionable and an imperative especially for Catholic school named after Saints during the 1940’s in the Philippines.[13][5] The American Catholic schools started the rage earlier when the clergy became wary of sports headlines such as “ St. Peter mauls St. Paul 80 – 40”. In the Philippines, headlines of whipping and trashing of schools named after saints drew mixed emotions among the clergy and devout Catholics. “Why would a Catholic saint whip another Catholic saint?”, they would ask.

On July 31, 1940, Fr. Sergio Martinez OSB, inspired by English tradition, coined the moniker “Red Lion” for the school. [14] Red is the color of courage, of a warrior and a martyr. The lion on the other hand represents dominance, the King of the Jungle.[15][2][5]

In the old heraldic tradition, combining RED with the LION symbolizes dauntless courage, bravery, strength, ferocity, valor and magnanimity in victory.[15] In its ancient and traditional form, San Beda's Red Lion is actually the Red Lion Rampant of Scotland which eventually became a prominent English heraldic symbol.[16][5][17][18]

In the Catholic tradition, the Lion is the accompanying symbol of courage whose symbolism itself is rooted in the ancient Lion of Judah.[9]The Roman family of St. Benedict himself used the Lion Rampant as their coat of arms.[19]

It is not by mere coincidence that the school adopted the Red Lion/Red Lion Rampant of Scotland as the school symbol. San Beda College was named after a great Benedictine Saint whose country of origin, England, has adopted for its own the heraldic symbol of the Scots, the Red Lion Rampant.[16] [17]In addition, it is a historical fact that the history of England in general and of its church in particular, is deeply connected with the history of the Benedictines in that country. [12]St. Bede was one of England’s greatest contribution to the world.[20] The Red Lion of Scotland on the other hand became a popular and quintessential symbol in England with the Union of the Crowns.[21] [18] Thus the Red Lion, rooted in the traditional Red Lion Rampant of Scotland and the ancient Lion of Judah, is a fitting symbol for the Catholic Benedictine School named after the Venerable Bede of England.[2]

[edit] Indian Yell

The San Beda Red Army cheering the Indian Yell
The San Beda Red Army cheering the Indian Yell

The Cuerba brothers, both Bedans, composed the Indian Yell in 1947 after the liberation from the Japanese empire.[22] [5][14]The Indian Yell was initially solely performed on drums accompanied by cheers from the students. However, this made the cheer somewhat lacking in power and needed something to rejuvenate the audience. So they changed the sound of the yell and incorporated a horn section. Accompanied by the tomahawk chop, the Indian Yell became more lively, intimidating, and full of spirit.[2] [14]

The Indian Yell is San Beda's romanticized version of the Indian war whoop. It mimics the native Indian war chants and vocalization techniques designed to intimidate the opponent.[22] North American Indian war chants are verbalization of tunes that implore the great spirits to help them in battle. The romanticized Bedan Indian Yell is believed to have been inspired by the Sioux nation.[2]

The Indian war whoop also gave rise to various derivative chants most especially the Lion's Roar. The Lion’s roar, with the simple "Wooohooo", also mimics primitive chants of Native American Indians. This is an indirect offspring of the Wahoos started by both Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia in the 1890s.[23]Bedans popularized this aboriginal Native American form of chanting in the Philippine collegiate league and has spawned variations now used by many other schools.[22][2][5]

The Native Americans were a courageous and defiant people. This is also true with the ancient Scottish warriors and their Red Lion Rampant. From the Old World (Europe), Bedans adopted the Red Lion while from the New World (North America) they adopted the Native Americans. Both are Red and both are symbols of Courage.[5]

The ingredients were actually ripe for an Indian inspired theme to gain popularity and acceptance among Bedans. The Scouting movement, introduced to the country by the Americans, became very popular in San Beda College. Worldwide, the movement and the infatuation with North American Indian cultures grew hand in hand. Indians became one of the major "lure" to recruit boys.[24] In fact, North American Indian iconography is not only popular in the Scouting movement but in many aspects of the Euro-American psyche. [25] Combining this infatuation, reinforced by the popularity of North American iconogrpahy in the movies, literature and American sports, led to the blossoming of an Indian inspired theme in San Beda.

[edit] Little Indians

The Little Indians
The Little Indians

To accompany the Indian Yell, the Little Indians were conceptualized by Ramon Ventoza (. GS '46, HS '51).[22][2][5] Mon Ventosa is the longest serving moderator / instructor of the San Beda College Cheering Association. A cheerleader himself during his student days in San Beda College, Mon was appointed as instructor of the College's Cheering Squad (1952 - 1962). He came up with idea to counter the gaining popularity of the dance number of Jose Rizal College.[14]

There were only three Indians in 1947: Gabriel Gasar and the Casal brothers, one of which eventually became a Benedictine monk. Slowly , the recruitment process changed and participation from the grade school pupils rose because many wanted to become Little Indians. Tito Mon wanted the Indians to be stout and adorable. From three Indians since 1947, the membership rose to a minimum of eight in the 90’s.[5][14]

[edit] Animo San Beda!

Have Courage San Beda!  Animo San Beda!
Have Courage San Beda! Animo San Beda!

One of the more popular line in the traditional Bedan cheers is "Animo San Beda". [26]

Bedans use ANIMO to mean COURAGE in their cheers. When Bedans yell “Animo San Beda!” they actually mean “Courage San Beda!/Have Courage San Beda!", faithful to the Spanish idiomatic usage of the word.[2] [27].[28] Animo is a Spanish word which means spirit, energy, vitality, purpose and will. Used as an expression of encouragement by Spanish speaking societies, it means courage or have courage. "Avance San Beda!" and "Vamos!" were also popular then. In the pre-war Spanish San Beda cheer (also known as El Colegio de San Beda Tiene que Ganar!), ANIMO is also included.[27] [26] Even in the traditional English cheer, "Stand on the Grandstand", ANIMO is extensively used. It is a shared belief among Bedans that the popular line "Animo ________, Beat _________" used by other schools as a stand alone cheer, originated from the 1950s Bedan Cheer Stand on the Grandstand".[2]

The most recent cheer which incorporates "Animo San Beda" is the 1970s SBCA. Said cheer was adopted in the 1970s to pay tribute to the new addition to the Benedictine community, the Benedictine Abbey School - San Beda Alabang. [5]

[edit] Basketball

Current Roster - NCAA Season 84


  • Aljamal, Yousif Jr.
  • Lanete, Garvo
  • Tirona, Chico
  • Ekwe, Samuel
  • Tecson, Eduardo
  • Escobal, John
  • Taupa, Kris
  • Taganas, Jay-R
  • Gamalinda, Riego
  • Hermida, John Carlos Jr.
  • Maggay, Raymond
  • Marcelo, Dave
  • Menor, Rogemar


  • Head Coach : Frankie Lim
  • Team Manager : Mukesh 'Mike' Advani

Basketball Women's (San beda College Alabang)

  • Carla Crisanta Godoy
  • Charllote Capola
  • Aibril Reyes
  • Jomanah Youssef
  • Thea Talisayon
  • Maria Liza Varona
  • Camille Bautista
  • Maria Celina Villaroman
  • Gianne Acda
  • April Lipit
  • Marj Franco


  • Coach : Nicanor Cruz

[edit] History

[edit] End 28 @ 82

This was the battlecry that the San Beda Red Lions used in reference to their quest to conclude the 28 years of seniors basketball championship title drought. The battlecry was a grassroots call to arms that was started in Bedista.com by hardcore Bedans.[5] The slogan slowly gained popularity among Bedans and was eventually embraced by the entire community.

The last time the Red Lions won the championship was against the De La Salle Green Archersin 1978 and earlier against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in 1977 on the strength of a team bannered by Carlenn Bryann "Domeng" Domanais , Frankie Lim and Jayvee Yango. On September 22, 2006, they finally managed to get another Championship Trophy after winning the Best-of-Three series against the Philippine Christian University Dolphins. On the way to the championship, the Red Lions displayed its dominant form. After losing its second game against the PCU Dolphins, San Beda went on a 12 game winning streak to finish the eliminations on top of the standing with a 13-1 win/loss card. During their Final Four game against the MIT Cardinals, they managed to come back from a double digit deficit to seal their seat in the Finals. In the championship series, they handily won their first game against PCU before succumbing to pressure and very poor shooting in a blowout loss in game 2. The Red Lions finally showed poise in the winner take all rubber match and won a scintillating one point victory to reclaim the championship trophy that has eluded them the past 28 years.[4]

[edit] Red Cubs

In the early years of the NCAA, it was the seniors team (or the Red Lions) that was able to achieve success by winning some of the early championships. During the last 20 to 30 years of the NCAA, however, the Red Cubs slowly became a competitive high school team in the league. During this period, the Red Cubs won 14 of its 16 NCAA championships and many schools (especially from the UAAP) recruited players from the Red Cubs. Many of the UAAP stars who were instrumental in leading their schools to the UAAP championship had their roots and training with the Red Cubs. These included players like Gerald Esplana, Eric Altamirano, Ren Ren Ritualo, LA Tenorio, Magnum Membrere and JV Casio. Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc were also part of a University of the Philippines team that included five other Red Cubs that won UP's second championship in the UAAP in 1986.

[edit] Players of note

  • Charles Borck (1936 Olympian)
  • Jesus Marzan (1936 Olympian)
  • Loreto Carbonell (1952 Olympian)
  • Antonio Genato (1952 Olympian)
  • Ponciano B. Saldaña (1952 Olympian)
  • Melito Santos (1952 Olympian)
  • Carlos Loyzaga (1952, 1956 Olympian)
  • Eduardo Lim (1952, 1956 Olympian)
  • Rafael S. Baretto (1956 Olympian)
  • Alberto 'Big Boy' Reynoso (Basketball at the 1960 Olympics)
  • Dave Brodette
  • Totoy Gagan
  • Alex Medillo [26]
  • Chito Loyzaga (former Metropolitan Basketball Association commissioner)
  • JV Yango
  • Abe King
  • Ed "Eddieboy" Visaya
  • Ramon "Douglas" Tionloc Jr.
  • Avelino "Skywalker" "Samboy" Lim Jr. (HS)
  • Benjie Paras (HS)
  • Ronnie Magsanoc (HS)
  • Gerry Esplana
  • Joey Loyzaga
  • Louie Brill (1982 RP-Youth ABC Team Captain)
  • Emmanuel "Boybits" Victoria
  • Chuck Barreiro
  • Frankie Lim
  • Cholo Martin
  • Elmer Reyes
  • Ber Martin
  • Joel and Noel Guzman
  • Mike Advani
  • Totoy Marquez
  • Eric Altamirano
  • Dindo Pumaren
  • Henry Cruel
  • Elmer Reyes
  • Ato Morano
  • Ralph Rivera
  • Ricky Calimag
  • Arjun Cordero (former NCAA Jrs. co-MVP)
  • Jayvee "J-Shock" Casio (HS)
  • Claiford Arao (HS)
  • Yuri Escueta (HS)
  • Wilfredo Bautista (HS)
  • Brit Reroma
  • Jeff Bombeo
  • Jerome Paterno
  • Renren Ritualo (former NCAA Jrs. co-MVP)
  • Chris Calaguio (HS)
  • Jenkins Mesina (former NCAA Jrs. co-MVP)
  • Mike Bravo (HS)
  • Lewis Alfred Tenorio (HS)
  • Magnum Membrere (former NCAA Jrs. co-MVP))
  • Koy Banal
  • Alex Angeles
  • Nicolas Salva (HS)
  • Norman Gonzales
  • Gil Cortez (First PBA Rookie of the Year)
  • Ronald Magtulis (Red Cubs)- played for FEU Tamaraws and Ginebra Gin Kings
  • Dexter Racho (Red Cubs) - played for UP Fighting Maroons
  • Tyrone Bautista (Red Cubs) - played for DLSU Green Archers
  • Toti Almeda (Red Cubs) - played for UP Fighting Maroons
  • Ralph Rivera (Philippine Team & MBA)
  • Rensy Bajar (Former PBA player)

[edit] Football

More formally known as the "Red Booters", the San Beda football team has been a consistent championship contender for the past few years in the NCAA. The seniors team has won the NCAA championship for the last 6 years and has won a total of 14 championships, second only to De La Salle University-Manila in all time wins.

Notable players of note are as follows:

  • Aris Caslib
  • Mari Martinez
  • Pepito Genato
  • Leonidas Duque
  • Nico Cazon
  • Tonio Guttierez
  • Juanito Camahort(HS)
  • Julio del Gallego(HS)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Malonso, J. "NCAA: A HISTORY". NCAA(Phils) Homepage. Online. Internet. Accessed 23 May 2007 [1]
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Jude Roque and the San Beda Boosters Club. A Time To Roar:Reviving the Bedan Animo. Manila: n.p, 2007[2]
  3. ^ a b "NCAA: An Endless Saga". The Bedan June 2005 issue
  4. ^ a b "National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines)". Wikipedia Website. Online. Internet. Accessed 23 May 2007 [3]
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Toloma et al. Abbey Monty. Manila: n.p., 2006 [4]
  6. ^ History of San Beda College[5]
  7. ^ Brown, Martin and O Clabigh, Colman (Editors).The Irish Benedictines: A History. Dublin:Columba Press, 2005 [6]
  8. ^ Pope Benedict XVI. Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures - The Europe of Benedict. Ignatius Press, 2006[7]
  9. ^ a b "A Primer To Catholic Symbolism". Boston Catholic Journal. Online. Internet. Accessed 23 May 2007. [8]
  10. ^ "The Benedictines". Britannia. Online. Internet. Accessed 23 May 2007[9]
  11. ^ "A Note on Benedictines". Worth Abbey Official Website. Online. Internet. Accessed 23 May 2007 [10]
  12. ^ a b Dom David Knowles. The Monastic Order in England. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press, 1949 [11]
  13. ^ Ateneo de Manila Official Website[12]
  14. ^ a b c d e Ramon Jose. "The Lion and The Indian". The Bedan Centennial Issue. 2001
  15. ^ a b "The Meanings Behind the Symbols".Fleurdelis Designs. Online. Internet. Accessed 23 May 2007.[13]
  16. ^ a b "The British Royal Family". Fleurdelis Designs. Online. Internet. Accessed 23 May 2007[14]
  17. ^ a b "Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom". Wikipedia Website. Online. Internet. Accessed 23 May 2007 [15]
  18. ^ a b Pardoe, M. "Pub Names - Red Lion". British Broadcasting Corporation Website. Online. Internet. Accessed 24 May 2007[16]
  19. ^ "School Seal". St. Lucy’s Priory High School Official Website. Online. Internet. Accessed 26 May. [17]
  20. ^ Huntley, D. "Bede: England's First Great Historian". HistoryNet.com. Online. Internet. Accessed 23 May 2007[18]
  21. ^ "Union Of the Crowns". Wikipedia Website. Online. Internet. Accessed 24 May 2007[19]
  22. ^ a b c d Saguisag, R. "Manny P and Bedan Nostalgia" .The Manila Times 9 Aug. 2006.[20]
  23. ^ Meacham, S."The Persistence of Wahoowah,Dartmouth's Indian Yell, at the University of Virginia".Online. Internet. Accessed 23 May 2007[21]
  24. ^ Deloria, P. Playing Indian. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001. [22]
  25. ^ Huhndorf, S. Going Native: Indians in the American Cultural Imagination. Itacha: Cornell University Press, 2001.[23]
  26. ^ a b "San Beda Songs and Cheer Book". 1954
  27. ^ a b Danny."Animo San Beda! = Have Courage/Take Courage San Beda!".Online Posting.03 November 2006. Gameface.ph (General Discussion-Stop Copying Our Cheers and Drumbeats). Accessed 23 May 2007 [24]
  28. ^ Guillermo, K. Animo!. Holy Fire Publishing, 2006 [25]

[edit] Other External links