POP STAR royalty and actress Sarah Geronimo urged students to take a stand against corruption and break the “rotten” cycle during the opening of UAAP Season 88, an appeal she made just before launching into the chorus of her 2013 hit “Ikot-Ikot.”
Midway through her set, Geronimo, who studied at UST High School, told students not to lose hope and to trust that they would one day help reform the system.
The pop star’s statement preceded a high-energy performance of the song, which echoed her message about ending cycles that harm the nation.
“Parang panloloko sa bansa natin, pinaiikot-ikot lang tayo. Tama na (It feels like our country is being fooled, like we’re just being spun in circles. Enough),” Geronimo said, drawing cheers from the crowd of over 36,000 students, athletes and alumni at the UST Grandstand.
“One day, you will be the ones to change this country’s rotten system. Do not lose hope, let us not lose hope. Hold on to hope and keep believing that one day, this rotten system will be changed and our beloved Philippines will prosper.”
Her remarks came in the face of heightened public attention on alleged multi-billion peso anomalies that resulted in subpar and ghost flood mitigation projects.
Several officials from the executive branch and the legislature have been tied to questionable deals, fueling public outrage and promoting various groups to organize rallies, including the “Trillion Peso March” along EDSA and the “Baha sa Luneta” in Manila on Sept. 21.
UST has also weighed in on the issue, calling for a swift investigation into the country’s flood control projects to ensure accountability “regardless of the power and influence of those involved.”
READ: UST joins calls against flood control anomalies
“Our beloved Philippines will also prosper and we will no longer have to leave the country just to find good jobs because all the opportunities will already be here,” Geronimo said.
She encouraged students to pray for the country and hold on to hope for change.
Geronimo’s performance headlined the UAAP Season 88 opening ceremony, which also featured a parade of athletes from the league’s eight member schools, the ceremonial torch-lighting and the unveiling of this season’s theme, “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action.” F
