THE ICONIC Paskuhan came early in España and brought cheers not just to Thomasians, but also to athletes and coaches from seven other schools as the festivity became the inspiration for the UAAP Season 88 grand opening rites last Sept. 19.
After nearly a decade, UST took on the hosting duties, opening its gates to 36,629 attendees from all eight UAAP schools and treating them with an extravaganza that showcased Thomasian culture and Olympic traditions.
In 2016, the University — in line with the season’s theme “Dare to Dream” — made history as the first to hold the opening ceremonies on campus.
But this time around, the University was more than eager to raise the bar from its previous opening rites nine years ago.
This year, visiting student-athletes participated in the Thomasian freshmen ritual of entering the historic Arch of the Centuries. Later that night, attendees also witnessed an eight-minute fireworks display and a drone show, which usually take center stage during the Christmas festivities of Agape and Paskuhan.
The grand opening also featured the 2012 Olympics-inspired torch relay that made stops at four of the UST cultural treasures recognized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. It was spearheaded by former Thomasian student-athletes, namely volleyball star Sisi Rondina, UAAP basketball champion Jervy Cruz, Sambo gold-medalist Sydney Sy and two-time Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena — the one who lit the cauldron at the UST Grandstand to declare official opening of the season.
With the theme “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action,” the curtain raiser echoed the call of the universities to ignite the flame of unity and sportsmanship throughout the season.
The rainfall that drenched the grounds failed to dampen the Thomasian-infused spirits of the thousands who flocked to the Tigers’ lair. Instead of taking shelter somewhere, some student-athletes like taekwondo athlete Jasel Salang from FEU found the rain less of a hassle and more of a memory’s blessing.
“Despite the rain, it was still a happy memory because you could see the people around you, they did not mind the rain… They were even happier,” the student-athlete told The Flame.
“So I just wore the raincoat they provided us with and I enjoyed it more because I could really see how happy the people were.”
Verbs, virtues and victory
Hours before the opening ceremonies, the athletes trooped to the Quadricentennial Pavilion to join the Holy Mass led by Fr. Filemon dela Cruz, O.P.
In his homily, Dela Cruz reflected on the theme of the season and reminded the athletes that the actions they take would set the movement of their lives.
“But there is one big word that encompasses all the other verbs and probably the most challenging of all words,” he said.
“The word is repeat.”
The priest said the practice of repeating actions develops a good temperament that strengthens virtues and builds character and prepares them not only for the competitions they will play but also in other aspects of their lives.
The repetition, dela Cruz said, would lead athletes to victories in life beyond the playing field — but also in battles that they face within themselves.
“And victory is about winning over mistakes. Our fight is not only about winning over others, but also about winning over our own struggles,” he added.
More than a celebration
Anticipation pervaded the air as many awaited the well-known artists on the UST Grandstand’s center stage.
Former UST students pop star royalty Sarah Geronimo and Kean Cipriano, young artists Rob Deniel, Earl Agustin and OPM band Lola Amour serenaded the crowd during the Hope Concert, which emphasized the importance of reaching for one’s dreams while maintaining unity in diversity.
But for some, the celebration had to come after joining protests against the corruption hounding the country.
Students like Miel Gonzales, Finn Narita, Janssen Mendoza and Nathan Santos, freshmen from the Ateneo de Manila University, had just come from the Ateneans’ walkout that afternoon when they arrived at UST, not wanting to miss out on the celebration.
“Since it is my first time to visit UST, I also want to explore UST,” Narita said.
Following investigations on flood control project anomalies, numerous student bodies mobilized around the University Belt and in the UST campus to demand accountability from the government.
Geronimo also did not miss a beat in mentioning the controversy during her performance. Midway through her “Ikot-ikot” set, she encouraged the crowd to join the demonstrations and not lose hope.
“One day, you will be the ones to change this country’s rotten system. Do not lose hope, let us not lose hope,” the pop star said as rain poured down.
“Hold on to hope and keep believing that one day, this rotten system will be changed and our beloved Philippines will prosper,” she added.
Before officially launching the UAAP season, UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang said the opening ceremony symbolizes more than just a celebration, but more of a “promise” of unity.
“This is more than just a celebration. It is a promise that we rise higher when we stand together. Strength in motion, hope in action — it’s more than just words,” he said.
“The truest win is shared like wine and that’s the power of UAAP.”
Partying after preparing
As the much-anticipated drone show exhibited the eight UAAP member schools’ logos, student-athletes marked the start of their campaign as they entered the Arch of Centuries — the same rite Thomasian freshmen undergo to begin their college years in the University.
Members of the FEU taekwondo team, majority of whom are league first timers, said enjoying the ceremony after undertaking rigorous preparations for the upcoming season was the priority for the day.
Nick Pascua, who is set to play his last season with the Tamaraws, was grateful to have shared his first and last season opening with all his teammates. They were wearing matching shirts that read “gold is the goal.”
For Pascua, the opening was the start of redemption for his team who missed the podium last season and for himself.
“We sacrificed a lot of time and effort just to train because we’re more eager to win now,” he said.
Sharing traditions
The ceremony marked the first event in the University that was open to non-Thomasians since the pre-pandemic Paskuhan festivities in 2019.
Graduating Pharmacy students Alyssa Alicuman and Shirley Arciaga, who once witnessed the joy of sharing traditions with outsiders, relished the chance to witness once again the gimmicks that accompany UST events that are open to the public.
“This is an opportunity now for some who are from other schools to see the energy of UST during this time because Paskuhan in UST always has a lively campus,” Arciaga said.
“I think it’s good that we’re able to show other UAAP schools that Thomasians are always willing to show up regardless of what event,” Alicuman said.
“There’s really unity among all students to support, no matter what the event is.”
Michael Gopez savored the chance to be able to serve the Thomasian community both as a UST Yellow Jacket applicant, who will cheer on the athletes, and as a student who will witness a meaningful part of history.
“[It’s] very exciting. I’m very happy to be part of the people behind the event,” he said.
Days before the opening ceremony, the University paid tribute to all UAAP schools by showcasing the nightly “Light of Hope” show, where the colors of each school lit the facade of the UST Main Building accompanied by their respective hymns and chants.
Locked out
Season launches in the past have only been held in enclosed venues outside the campus of the host university. Despite UST’s capacity to hold huge events, hundreds were unable to enter the University gates, which closed at 5:30 p.m., despite having event tickets on hand.
A handful of posts on Facebook, X and Reddit lambasted the University for closing its gates earlier than the anticipated cutoff time.
Among the students cramped in the sidewalks of España Boulevard was Sean Ayala, who aired out his frustrations on a Facebook post regarding the lack of clear communication between the organizers and the ticket holders.
“Personally, I would have appreciated it more if they had just been candid from the start that they really would not let people in. At least if we still chose to stay, it would’ve been our own decision and fault. But they kept saying they would open after the parade, only to suddenly close it again,” Ayala told The Flame.
Some members of the UST Growling Tigers who reportedly went out to buy food did not escape the University’s directive, which was posted an hour before the intended time to close its gates, according to an X (formerly Twitter) post by user @kakaiBachii.
A user on Reddit also questioned the inclusion of ticket-holders in the no-entry policy.
“Why did you give [one thousand] tickets per university if not everyone can enter? You said it’s closed at 5:30pm, but why is it closed before 5:30?”
Ayala was only able to come inside the University premises after his friend collapsed and was escorted to the UST Health Service Building for first aid. By then, it had already been over four hours since they endured the rain-drenched queue and the performances had ended.
“We didn’t catch anything at the event anymore. So, to make it worthwhile, we just took pictures inside the campus and left,” he said.
As a long-time UAAP fan, Ayala made it a tradition to attend key events and matches every season as long as he was still in college.
“UST’s opening was one for the books for both good and bad reasons. I believe the [University] is still a great host. But I just wish that they’ll at least know there were shortcomings,” Ayala said.
Unstoppable
But almost an hour after the University closed its gates, some were still able to rush to Gate 1 when it creaked open and bolted to the open field to catch up on the performances.
For freshman Kassie Reyes, who was able to squeeze through the gates as rain began to fall, being able to witness the season opening with her long-time friends who now go to different universities was a shared experience they would keep from this event.
“The school spirit is so strong that even as freshies, we were so eager to go here. We just wanted to experience this firsthand,” she said.
“It was interesting to see the eight schools unite all together. Also, just by seeing them in general, you can see their culture and what school they fight in and how people are so eager.”
The rarity of the moment is something not to miss out on, according to Thomasian athlete Rafael Corsiga and Salinggawi assistant coach AJ Ladera.
“I actually just washed my shoes there in QPAV (Quadricentennial Pavilion). I still felt happy and went back [to the field] after cleaning my shoes. We just made the most out of it as it is not as often UST will host [the UAAP opening],” the fencing player said.
“It was already raining [during the performance] that’s why I went there [around Lover’s Lane] for a while. I thought to God, why? Thank you for the blessings but wait for a minute. [But] I wasn’t [discouraged by the rain]. Of course, we’re Thomasians, that’s why we should be here until the end,” he added.
“I think God was happy to see us [celebrating], that’s why He gave us so many blessings, which is the rain.”
Second-year Nursing student Renee Ocubillo echoed the same sentiment, citing the need to making the most out of her college life.
“There are lots of memories we can get from here. So we’ll finish the event as much as we can until our curfew. This is also an early celebration,” she said.
Just before the rain poured, the eight-minute fireworks show painted the sky to a UAAP-themed rhythm and a mix of the membership schools’ chants. The ceremony concluded with the Hope Concert that lasted until midnight. Athletes and students alike found themselves with the desire to have their teams repeat the wins and learn from the losses they experienced in the previous season.
“As they say, [we want to take home] the spirit of winning and have the crown return to Espana. UST is competitive and we’re here to support the [intercollegiate] games in Araneta and MOA (Mall of Asia),” Pharmacy senior Shirley Arciaga said.
When rain fell and turned into a drizzle, UP fencing athlete Mary Mallari said it reminded her to enjoy the competition no matter the struggles that may come with it.
“I regret that I was injured [last time] and with the vibes of Season 88 and what happened [today], I hope our team’s run will be fruitful this time,” she said.
“Even when there are challenges, it (the rain) somehow tells me that as long as we have fun, everything will be okay.” F
