A GRAND opening ceremony to be followed by action-filled basketball showdowns is expected in the opening weekend of the coming 88th UAAP season next month, with the University of Santo Tomas hosting the prestigious league.
UST will officially launch the new season on Sept. 19 at the UST Grandstand and Open Field, which will have a Eucharistic celebration and program and will feature an athletes’ parade, the oath of sportsmanship, the lighting of the UAAP cauldron, drone display and fireworks show, and a concert featuring a still-to-be-announced top local artist.
The opening matches will take place on the following days on Sept. 20 and 21 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Led by Rev. Fr. Rodel S. Cansancio, O.P., president of the UAAP Board of Managing Directors and director, regent of the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics of UST, unveiled the season theme song titled “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action.”
“UST stands out as the only UAAP school that consistently comes up with a theme song whenever it holds the league. We previously unveiled Dare to Dream in Season 79. Now, we are proud and excited to reveal the song entitled Strength in Motion, Hope in Action for Season 88,” Cansancio said yesterday during the season launch at the Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom of the Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building in UST.
Assistant professor Louell Baldoza of the UST Institute of Religion won the theme song competition held last March 27, besting 12 other entries.
OPM singer and songwriter Kean Cipriano of the band Callalily, also an alumnus of UST, performed the “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action” during the event.
“Twenty years na ako sa industriya na ito, pero masasabi ko na ito iyong pinaka- kinabahan yata ako na performance at kanta na kailangan kong ii-interpret. More than the song, it represents a lot of people and milestones. It encompasses everything,” Cipriano, who is also an actor and director, said.
“It’s a special opportunity for me to be here and to deliver the message ng kanta na ito kasi 20 years na nga ako sa industriya na ito, exactly 2005 pumasok ako ng UST. This is a full circle moment for me,” he added.
Fr. Cansancio added: “We are planning a jam-packed opening weekend here in UST with ceremonies on Friday and basketball games on Saturday and Sunday. One can expect a festive atmosphere with vibes similar to Paskuhan and other iconic UST traditions—all designed to give the UAAP community a taste of Thomasian pride and spirit.”
The hosts are expecting 25,000 to 30,000 crowds on the opening day, catering to all spectators from all eight member schools.
