The University of Santo Tomas ushered in the new UAAP season with a spirited opening ceremony at the school’s campus in España.
The UAAP is officially back as season host UST ushered in UAAP Season 88 with a festive opening ceremony held in its iconic campus in España, Manila on Friday evening.
With the theme “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action”, the grand ceremonies featured dynamic and impassion performances, and various ceremonial features from Thomasian culture that the host school was eager to share with the seven other member schools.
Scores of students from across all eight UAAP universities flocked to España to witness the opening ceremony, which was highlighted by the thousand-strong contingent of student-athletes from all of the UAAP’s member schools.
Festivities were welcomed by a Eucharistic celebration led by the Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, Rev. Fr. Filemon I. Dela Cruz, Jr., O.P., SThL, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The parade of athletes also featured all eight schools walking through the iconic Arch of the Centuries, with the crowd wowed with a drone show forming each school’s logo as the athletes marched on through the campus.
A contingent of 200 student-athletes were featured from each school in the march that converged into the UST Grandstand.
The lighting of the cauldron featured iconic UST athletes including world-class pole vaulter EJ Obiena, PVL superstar Sisi Rondina, UAAP Season 70 MVP and one-time champion Jervy Cruz, and Judoka Sydney Sy.
The Oath of Sportsmanship and the opening declaration of UAAP Season 88 capped off the formalities.
Kean Cipriano, a one-time student of UST, closed the ceremonies with a live performance of the season theme song “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action”.
Popular OPM acts, such as pop star Sarah Geronimo and band Lola Amour are set to keep the energy going with the Hope Concert later Friday still at the UST Grandstand.
Meanwhile, games officially begin on Saturday, September 20, with hostilities taking place at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion with U16 teams and the men’s basketball tournament kicking things off.
The UST Growling Tigers men’s basketball team make their season debut on Sunday, September 21, against defending champions UP Fighting Maroons.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.