The UAAP Season 87 officially kicked off yesterday, September 7, 2024, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the theme: Stronger, Better, Together.
Hosted by the University of the Philippines, the opening ceremony featured a star-studded cast, including UP alums Johnoy Danao and the self-monikered “Maroon 4,” consisting of Maysh Baay and Bon Sundiang of Moonstar88, Lean Ansing of Slapshock, and Dave Delfin of Franco. P-Pop girl group KAIA and world-renowned dance crew UPeepz also joined forces to deliver an energetic performance.
UP music groups such as the UP Symphony Orchestra and the UP Kontra Gapi also took to the stage, performing renditions of the UP school hymn, “UP Naming Mahal,” among others. Backed by a glimmering drone show, the UP crowd raised their fists in solidarity, showing a taste of the loyalty the State U crowd is sure to exhibit throughout the rest of the season.
Following these performances, representatives from all eight universities participated in a Parade of Athletes, culminating in an Oath of Sportsmanship led by UP swimmer and Season 86 Athlete of the Year Quendy Fernandez.
UAAP Season 87 Chairman and UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez gave a rousing speech, expressing his pride in the UAAP and what it has come to symbolize for the country and its athletes.
“In our UAAP Season 87 logo, you see our hands in huddle,” he said. “All eight of us, bound together to ensure the success of the UAAP, not just for this season, but for all seasons to come.”
“Our league’s work does not stop inside the playing venues and fields, it extends outward to our university communities […] where we must ensure that excellence with honor and integrity is channeled towards serving the greater good, the common good, the Filipino people,” he added.
UAAP Season 87 President and UP Chancellor Atty. Edgardo Carlo Vistan officially declared the opening of the season.
“Let this season be a testament to the unity, the excellence, and the sportsmanship that define the UAAP,” he stated. “This season, we make our athletes stronger, better, together.”
By far the highlight of the ceremony was the long-anticipated reunion of OPM legends and recent Gawad Oblation recipients, the Eraserheads. As the spotlight fell on Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro, the excitement of the crowd was a palpable thing — evidenced by how the Smart Araneta Coliseum sang along to every second of their near forty-minute set, consisting of iconic songs such as ‘Alapaap,’ ‘Ligaya,’ and ‘Minsan.’
“Did you know that this is our first time performing in Araneta?” quipped vocalist Ely Buendia, as the crowd roared in response.
Capped with an electrifying rendition of their smash hit ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo,’ there is no denying that the band’s legacy lives on in the hearts of the Filipino people, and that this reunion performance is a mere glimpse of what the University of the Philippines has to offer for the rest of the season.
“You know, a group like the [Eraserheads] is not an easy group to deal with in terms of their scheduling,” expressed UAAP S87 Treasurer and UP OASD Director Dolreich “Bo” Perasol in an interview. “But, being UP as they are, they felt that, maybe, they wanted to give back to our alma mater.”
Perasol also stated how heartwarming it was to see the UAAP community come together for the opening, adding that, “This is just something that we want to show in the beginning, but there’s going to be a lot more of excitement — in terms of the games, in terms of the competitions — [for] the whole year.”
”Make sure to watch and be there,” he urged spectators.
With the end of the Opening Ceremony, the UAAP now turns its attention to the variety of sports that will be played across the span of four months, beginning with the UP Men’s Basketball Team in the “Battle of Katipunan.” First semester sports will also feature football, judo, swimming, athletics, and more.
This UP Fighting Maroons Club post is in partnership with Jiang Nan Hotpot.
