A once in a lifetime gathering of noted performers from different genres will make the opening ceremony of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ (UAAP) Season 87 a feast for the senses.
Living up to its season theme of ‘Stronger. Better. Together.,’ host school University of the Philippines has put together a kaleidoscopic package of musical artists, groups, and ensembles together with kinetic dance acts that will make Season 87 one of the most memorable in history.
The Eraserheads will be the highlight of the hour and a half-long show, but before they come on, independent musician-songwriter Johnoy Danao and musical soloists – cello, guitar and percussion – will set the stage for an interesting musical afternoon.
Amid a stunning, immersive light experience, the UP Symphony Orchestra will perform alongside Kontra Gapi, the resident Ethnic Music and Dance Ensemble of the UP College of Arts and Letters, in a richly textured contrapuntal number.
UP alumni from different rock bands – Lean Ansing of Slapshock, Dave Delfin of Franco, and Bon Sundiang and Maysh Baay of Moonstar 88 – will come together as one rock unit, while P-Pop group Kaia and world-renowned hip-hop dance crew UPeepz provide the pop element to the music-rich afternoon.
Representatives from each of the seven other UAAP member schools – Ateneo de Manila, Adamson University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, National University, University of the East, and University of Santo Tomas – have been invited to join their UP counterparts and the UP Concert Chorus in singing the UAAP Hymn.
Team introductions, Oath of Sportsmanship, and official league proceedings follow.
Then the Eraserheads start to rock.
The opening ceremony will start at 11 a.m. at the Araneta Coliseum. The first game of Season 87 – a Battle of Katipunan classic between UP and Ateneo – follows at 6:30 pm.
