THE GRAND opening of the UAAP Season 88 will push through on Friday, Sept. 19, at the UST grounds as contingency measures have been prepared in case of inclement weather.
UAAP Managing Board of Directors President Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P., said the league committee is closely monitoring the situation to ensure that the activities would proceed as scheduled.
“At present, the UAAP Season 88 opening ceremonies scheduled for this Friday will proceed as planned, with contingency measures in place,” Cansancio, also the UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics director, told The Flame.
During the Season 88 press conference last August, program head Fr. Jeffrey Aytona said the opening ceremony would push through even if it rains.
However, in the event of downpour, the event would be moved to Monday, Sept. 22.
The University is expected to welcome a crowd of about 30,000 Thomasians, athletes and other stakeholders invited, with each member school sending off 1,000 delegates and 200 athletes and officials.
A Holy Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The opening ceremony, which will start at 6 p.m., will feature the athletes’ parade at the Arch of the Centuries, the lighting of the UAAP cauldron and a torch relay to be led by notable Thomasian alumni such as two-time Olympian EJ Obiena and Sisi Rondina.
Later in the evening, a pyromusical and drone show will be showcased along with performances by Kean Cipriano and popstar royalty Sarah Geronimo.
The event will conclude with the “Hope Concert” starting at 8 p.m., with performances from different OPM acts, including Filipino rock band Lola Amour, Rob Deniel and Earl Agustin.
This will be UST’s first hosting in nine years. The curtain raiser will showcase the iconic Paskuhan, which has not been open to the public for the past three years. F – with reports from Shayne Lee Andreas Macaraeg
