MINSAN sa may Kalayaan, minsan sa Araneta rin.
Iconic Filipino band Eraserheads delivered an opening ceremony to remember, ushering in the brand new UAAP Season 87 with a rocking performance to raise the curtains to a fresh athletic year on Saturday at the Big Dome.
The band - made up of Marcus Adoro, Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, and Buddy Zabala - delivered its greatest hits as the crowd sang to its timeless tunes 'Alapaap,' 'Sembreak,' 'Ligaya,' 'Pare Ko,' 'Minsan,' 'Magasin,' and 'Ang Huling El Bimbo,' many of which were composed during their time at the University of the Philippines.
Rightfully so, this season’s host UP made it a point to have its latest Gawad Oblation Awardees kick off festivities for this new season.
The band’s reunion for this momentous occasion perfectly mirrored this season’s theme “Stronger. Better. Together.,” as all eight member-schools once again unite for one common goal: athletic excellence.
Together, they were stronger and better
But it wasn’t just the headlining Eraserheads who put on a show, as UP delivered a musical smorgasbord to live up to its promise of having an opening ceremony to remember.
Independent musician-songwriter Johnoy Danao joined the showcase of Isko musicians which also included other alumni, namely Lean Ansing of Slapshock, Dave Delfin of Franco, and Bon Sundiang and Maysh Baay of Moonstar 88 performing as one rock unit.
The UP Symphony Orchestra, UP Concert Chorale, and Kontra Gapi, the UP College of Arts and Letters’ resident ethnic music and dance ensemble, also joined forces, after a number of string soloists took the stage on the heels of a stunning and immersive light experience.
P-Pop group Kaia and three-time hip-hop dance world champion hip-hop UPeepz also jived to the beat, adding more energy to this momentous occasion.
“We are eight universities in one league, each driven by competition, yet tightly bound and guided by collegiality and sportsmanship. In our UAAP Season 87 logo, you see our 'Hands in Huddle,'” said UAAP president Atty. Jijil Jimenez, as the Fighting Maroons serve as this season’s hosts for the first time since Season 78 back in 2015-16.
"All eight of us band together to ensure the success of the UAAP - not just for this season, but for seasons to come."
University of Santo Tomas is the defending general champion, winning the seniors crown in the last seven seasons and the juniors title in the last eight.
UP last won the overall championship in the collegiate level way back in Season 60 in 1997-98.
READ: 'Underdog' Ateneo the first obstacle in UP's UAAP 87 title quest
Later, the Fighting Maroons' duel with Ateneo opens the men's basketball tournament.
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