THE Filipino iconic group Eraserheads are set to add glitz and glamor to the opening ceremony of the 87th UAAP basketball tournament on Sept. 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Marcus Adoro, Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, and Buddy Zabala, who formed the popular rock band at the UP Diliman campus, will share their music with the UAAP community and sports fans from all walks of life–all in the spirit of the season theme of “Stronger. Better. Together.”
UP, the 87th season host, said it has no doubt the Eraserheads’ reunion will be an unforgettable moment in the colorful yet meaningful festivities that will also feature other topnotch performers and supported by Palawan Pay, Converge ICT Solutions, CDO Foodsphere, and Strong Group Athletics.
“We’re happy that the Eraserheads are going to share their magic with the UAAP as we start Season 87. Saktong-sakto ang mangyayaring ito sa theme natin for this season,” UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (OASD) Director Bo Perasol said. “They reached the top, disbanded, reunited, and now, full circle na sila sa homecoming nila sa UP and sa UAAP.
“They are true music icons and legends and our national pride,” he added.
Just a week ago, the band behind classic songs such as “Ang Huling El Bimbo” and “With a Smile” received the Gawad Oblation Award–the highest distinction that UP bestows on its alumni for their significant contributions and extraordinary service.
The Eraserheads are giving back to their alma mater as the main event of the grand opening ceremony, which will have separate tickets from the season-opener between the Fighting Maroons and Ateneo Blue Eagles later in the day.
Two weeks before that, the ramp up to the new season will already be underway with all eight UAAP member-schools putting their hands together as one during their respective pep rallies.
UP will visit the seven other universities to gift them with a symbolic, LED-lit torch that is meant to be displayed throughout the year and will be taken off its perch at the end of the season, reminiscent of the extinguishing of the Olympic Flame at the end of The Games.
UP has also invited each school to interpret the season theme and express it through art on a large canvas to be called “The Unity Wall,” which is expected to be exhibited in playing venues throughout the year.
“Hindi ito iyong traditional torch relay sa simula ng taon. Instead, we’re passing on a torch to each of our member-schools in the spirit of friendship and kinship, reminding us of the harmony and cooperation that exists within the league,” Perasol said.
“The artworks naman, although they’re different, they will form a collective whole and deliver the same message. Parang ang UAAP lang. We’re stronger, better, together not because we’re all the same, but actually, dahil tayo’y may mga pagkakaiba-iba.”
UE starts off the pep rallies on Aug. 28, followed by Ateneo and FEU on Aug. 30, National U and UP on Sep. 3, La Salle and UST on Sep. 4, and Adamson on Sep. 5.
