FIREWORKS, FESTIVE lights and a crowd of thousands are expected to welcome the UAAP Season 88 in true Paskuhan fashion, as the University of Santo Tomas is set to bring back the league’s grand opening to its historic campus this September.
Taking inspiration from its iconic annual Christmas celebration, UST is preparing a vibrant and high-energy ceremony at the UST Grandstand to mark the beginning of its UAAP hosting year—complete with live performances and a pyromusical show.
“Paskuhan isn’t complete without fireworks, same thing for the UAAP grand opening. We want it to feel just as festive, just as hopeful,” Institute of Physical Education and Athletics Director Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P., told The Flame.
According to Cansancio, the upcoming opening will be exclusive to UAAP school members, with each university seen to send around 1,000 delegates, including 100 official representatives. It will be a ticketed event with a tentative date set for the third week of September.
The upcoming season also marks the return of UST as school host after nine years.
The University made history in Season 79 when it staged the opening ceremony on campus for the very first time. Held at the UST Grandstand, the event featured an Olympic-style ceremony.
Cansancio, who will also serve as the president of the UAAP Board of Managing Directors, said the decision to hold the event inside the UST campus instead of big venues like the Mall of Asia Arena or Araneta Coliseum was both practical and symbolic.
“This continues the practice we started in Season 79. Every time UST hosts, we hold the opening on campus,” he said.
“Aside from that, Araneta and MOA are unavailable due to the FIVB Men’s World Championship.”
With UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. serving as chairman of the UAAP Board of Trustees alongside a central committee composed of the University’s top administrators, preparations are in full swing to ensure that both the opening and the season itself will be a high-caliber production.
New theme and logo
Last month, the University said the UAAP Season 88 would carry the theme “Strength in Action, Hope in Action” to celebrate courage, discipline, unity and transformation rather than mere athletic competition.
The theme draws inspiration from this year’s Jubilee Year, a celebration observed by the Church every 25 years.
According to UST, “strength in action” captures the relentless spirit of student-athletes whose forward-driving force is reflected in every sprint, leap and act of resolve performed on and off the playing field.
Meanwhile, “Hope in Action” is symbolized by the inner resilience that sustains athletes and communities during and after moments of uncertainty, defeat and challenges.
UST also unveiled the official UAAP Season 88 logo on May 20 during the closing ceremony of Season 87. Designed by the UST College of Fine Arts and Design, the logo features two interlocking number eights forming the shape of a flame as a symbol of passion, movement and shared purpose.
The common strokes that unite the eights signify the power that arises from collaboration, while the flame evokes the burning desire for collective excellence.
The design incorporates the official colors of all UAAP member schools, interwoven to express “unity in diversity.” Its flowing lines likewise indicate momentum and progress to reinforce the season’s core message on hope and exerting active effort over passive optimism.
UST once again ruled the league after emerging as general champions in the 87th season, with the juniors claiming their ninth consecutive title and the seniors securing their eighth straight crown. F
