Monday, February 20, 2012
Confessions Of A Pump It Up Player ♥
I am Anna and I am a certified Pump It Up (PIU) Female Speeder Player.
Pump It Up, commonly abbreviated as PIU or shortened to just Pump, is a music video game series currently developed by Nexcade and published by Andamiro, a Korean arcade game producer. The game is typically played on a dance pad with five arrow panels: up-left, up-right, bottom-left, bottom-right, and a center panel. Additional gameplay modes may utilize two five-panel pads side-by-side. These panels are pressed using the player's feet, in response to arrows that appear on the screen in front of the player. The arrows are synchronized to the general rhythm or beat of a chosen song, and success is dependent on the player's ability to time and position his or her steps accordingly.
2006. I was a full-fledged 1st year college student, and that was also the year that I got broken-hearted. (a break-up from a 5-year relationship with my 1st boyfriend) They say that when a girl is in pain, she must get herself busy in order for her to move-on. I cried my heart out playing PIU since the time that I decided to finally do something to move-on. And there it is, the history why I started playing PIU.. Thanks to my ex-bf huh?!
As I passed the hallway of Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, I saw this Pump It Up Machine along the elevators at the 4th floor, I was with my college friends - just strolling around. Until we tried to play a little, just for fun. And my very first song was -- I'll Give You All My Love, Level: hard! And I was so red that time, getting embarrassed of what I was doing. Until I told myself -- "babalikan ko to at pag-aaralan ko to!" 
Since then, after class, every holidays, every weekends, EVERYDAY! - I was at the mall, playing PIU. Everyday, I see familiar faces, PIU Players too. There was this one group of players who helped me out how to operate the machine, from choosing the speed I need for the song rhythm and the beat, up to the perfect timing and twists. And according to them - "mabilis daw ako matuto -- for a girl!"
Here's a video of me during my very first PIU mini-tournament at Sta. Lucia Mall.
I believe I was with Dolfo, a fellow PIU player too (he's ahead of me) a tattoo artist -- He always do my henna's for free! *thanks Dolfo*.. I believe we were playing Mr. Larpuz Level: Crazy, and of course, he won! :))
Fast forward...
Fast forward...
In my 5 years of dancing... 5 years of playing... 
Here are some lessons from my 5-years of being a Female PIU player:
Here are some lessons from my 5-years of being a Female PIU player:
1. DON'T JUDGE A GIFT BY ITS WRAPPER.
Other people might think "na TAMBAY lang kami sa mall" -- yeah that's true.. BUT, little did they know -- we're one of a kind. Based on my experience, we play all day, whenever we're free. But we don't forget our priorities in life.
It's like we're a team of mutants (if you watched X-men), they have these special powers that describe each mutant's identity. SO AS WE, we study from different prestigious universities such as University of the Philippines, Centro Escolar University, University of Sto. Thomas, Miriam College and the like. We have degrees to finish - from Nursing, Accountancy, Business Administration, Information Technology to Medicine and Law. We are group of people, with different personalities, with different goals in life - we don't just dance.. we have dreams to become a better person, to be successful in life.
Like what we do during our play, we finish a very hard song - and we feel so good after we finish it with good score grades! So as in real life - don't judge us on how we look, on what time we go home just to play PIU. This is our outlet, our playground and you guys don't have the right to judge us, you don't have any idea on what every PIU players are up to.
2. FRIENDSHIP
All of my friends in the PIU Community started from scratch! WE'RE ALL TOTALLY STRANGERS! And what is really hard is that, you make effort to befriend someone you don't really know in person. You start with ZERO!
I believe, after 2 years, I don't just go to Sta. Lucia to play PIU - one reason is that, I go there to visit my friends too. I feel like it's not complete if I don't have company to play with.
I believe, after 2 years, I don't just go to Sta. Lucia to play PIU - one reason is that, I go there to visit my friends too. I feel like it's not complete if I don't have company to play with.
For me, this is my favorite part -- gaining new friends! Some of them go... some of them stay.. I don't trust them but I believe in them. Just like what happened to me when I became a part of a group of players at SM North Edsa, they, or should I say we, call ourselves - Forever Zero (FZ).
A little history on how I became an FZerian:
I went to SM North, & I saw that there's a PIU machine at World Of Fun. So I was so excited to play (for the first time at a different mall) while I was playing Dignity Level: Freestyle, someone told me (that looks like a gangster member - Rocky, if you're reading this, remember Larry?) going back -- he told me "may potential ka!" and I was like so nervous that I might got robbed or raped or something like that. Until he said - "gusto mo sumali sa amin?"
me: "halaaa... baka fraternity ito"... and yup, to make the story short - I played 3 PIU songs of their choice and I took an exam for me to be able to become a member of Forever Zero. Parang fraternity nga! Kung baga, nag-hazing muna ako! LOL :P
Anyhow, I met new friends, new FZ friends! And they're nationwide! I didn't expect that while we were so busy with our school, our own lives - there is this little world hooked-up in playing as one, big team, individuals around the globe, as what FZ says -- Play To Unite.
Other than FZ... I also had friends with the other groups, I met; TimpX players, some from Cebu and Dagupan, JCLF, FoxHounds, Zone Gamers, SMX, and others who are freelancers,
some are from DDR Community.
These are the most awesome part of being a PIU Player... HAVING LOTS OF TRUE FRIENDS!
3. WHO RUN THE WORLD? GIRLS!
Yikeeee, kinanta niya! LOL... Well, I'm not a super duper mamaw player - pero kahit paano, kaya ko makipag-sabayan sa mga male speeders na kakilala ko (except kina Jonathan at Nino) haha :P
All I can say, to all girls who wants to be like Amy., Determination is one key to be successful. All you need to do is to be proud of yourself, believe in yourself and DO IT.
Here's a sample. Last 2008, WOF held a Pump It Up Speed Competition Year 1, I lost. But I didn't gave up. I joined again last 2009 WOF Pump It Up Speed Competition Year 2, and this time - I was able to bring home the bacon!
We're 10, and among the 9 competitors, I was the only girl in the said competition (for the speed category).. And for the Laplap twins (see the picture above), they were the Champs for the freestyle category!
We're 10, and among the 9 competitors, I was the only girl in the said competition (for the speed category).. And for the Laplap twins (see the picture above), they were the Champs for the freestyle category!
It took me courage to become the best as I can be, I felt like I was a hard core player. And As I tell you the rest of the story, WE (GIRLS) RULED THE 2009 Competition! I won 1st Runner-Up for the female division. This might not mean anything to you, but for me, it's an achievement.
Another was last year's 2011 Nationals. I wasn't able to go to China, but I felt like I was! I earned a new friend too! Originally a DDR Perfect Attacker, Patty. She's been so nice to me ever since Pau introduced her to me. She even gave me a PIU cap. In my history, she's one I will consider as my mentor. 
4. APPRECIATE!
In my 5 years of gaming experience, I once felt like I was very famous. I felt like I was one of the best PIU players in town! And I just want to thank all my friends, who keep on supporting me every now and then. The feeling that they are always there beside you to cheer you-up and boost all the energy you have just to finish the song. THANK YOU. You make me all feel like I'm special.
And for the nth time, Thank you Cheyenne for the wonderful art work. I really love it!
Thank you PR for this wonderful pasalubong from Amy ♥
When I held my photo, and as I saw Amy's autograph in it... I was like.....
Here's a closer look ♥
5. ACHIEVEMENTS
These are my second favorite part as a PIU player - to finish all of my favorite songs, to become hard core, to lessen "greats", to become a perfect attacker, to become a WPF Champion. *in my dreams*
I am really thankful, that I was able to finish half of my favorite songs in the whole song list of PIU. Having a grade of "A" will be fine with me, it will be great if I can give it a shot of "S". But what matters most, is I got the twists, the beat and the rhythm.. Plus the perfect attacks. Those factors affects all of your total score.. And of course, lessen all your missed arrows.
I am really thankful, that I was able to finish half of my favorite songs in the whole song list of PIU. Having a grade of "A" will be fine with me, it will be great if I can give it a shot of "S". But what matters most, is I got the twists, the beat and the rhythm.. Plus the perfect attacks. Those factors affects all of your total score.. And of course, lessen all your missed arrows.
Let me share to you some of my Unforgettable Achievements in my PIU History:
Year 2009.
This was actually my Grand Entrance. Thanks to my fellow PIU player, FZ friends who helped me a lot with the concept! And of course, my friends who showered me confetti!
Now here's the continuation. U Inside My Dim Memory Level: Crazy. I love the confetti effect! My friends were actually at the escalator that time to shower all the confetti's.!
Originally, my outfit was based on Chung Hwa Ban Jeom song. Until I heard that my fellow competitors are going to play full songs. So I decided to play Love Is A Danger Zone 2 Full Song Nightmare. The problem is, bawal ang merong kapareho na song :( So Final Audition was my last resort. And unexpectedly, I got the 1st place *Thank you Lord*
Year 2011.
1st Round at the Nationals. Tepris Level 16.
2nd round = Napalm Level 19.
Once you have achieved any song, or even in real life -- STAY HUMBLE.
6. FREEBIES!!!
The MAIN REASON WHY I always join the PIU Competitions/ Tournaments!
Thank you Patty for this unforgettable gift!
and LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST :)
7. LOVE
Raise hands if you met the love of your life because of Pump It Up! 
Meet my boyfriend, Mitch. I met him because of PIU. Coincidentally we're neighbors! Isn't it amazing? PLUS, October 24, 2012 will be our 4th year anniv! AWESOMENESS! Spread the love!
Here's a Full Blast of all you need to do to become a MAMAW player:
1. Stay healthy; right foods at the right time.
2. Exercise.
3. Maintain your stamina.
4. Drink lots of water.
5. Wear comfortable, light shoes.
6. as much as possible, forget all your problems in life.
7. FOCUS.
8. Feel the rhythm of the song.
9. Dance like you've never dance before!
10. Dance like no one is around! 
Terminologies:
1. Mamaw - hard core player who can play nightmare songs with their eyes closed! *just kidding!
2. Stamina - your lung expansion must be fully coordinated with your physical vigorous activity.
2. Stamina - your lung expansion must be fully coordinated with your physical vigorous activity.
3. Nusha - hahaha! NEVER MIND :P
What I believe during my dance is that you're expected to deliver your best performance, and provide value every day.
Thanks for spending time with me as I share my life and my love for Pump It Up. I hope that all of you share the same interests as mine. May we spread the courage, determination, the lessons we learn from it and on to share our knowledge with the younger generation. Keep on pumpin'!
Anna. FZSL Co-founder. Pump It Up Assistant Supporter.
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