The iconic Eraserheads will reunite on stage as the headliners for the grand opening ceremony of UAAP Season 87 on September 7 at the Araneta Coliseum.
The legendary Filipino rock band – comprised of Marcus Adoro, Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, and Buddy Zabala – will bring their timeless music to the UAAP community and sports fans, aligning with the season’s theme: “Stronger. Better. Together.”
University of the Philippines (UP), this season’s host, anticipates that the Eraserheads’ performance will be a highlight of the opening festivities, which promise to be both vibrant and meaningful.
The event will also feature a lineup of other top-notch performers, with support from Palawan Pay, Converge ICT Solutions, CDO Foodsphere, and Strong Group Athletics.
“We’re happy that the Eraserheads are going to share their magic with the UAAP as we start Season 87. Saktong-sakto yung mangyayaring ito sa theme natin for this season,” said Bo Perasol, Director of UP’s Office for Athletics and Sports Development (OASD).
“They reached the top, disbanded, reunited, and now, full circle na sila sa homecoming nila sa UP and sa UAAP. They are true music icons and legends and our national pride.”
Just last week, the Eraserheads – famous for hits like “Ang Huling El Bimbo” and “With a Smile” – were honored with the Gawad Oblation Award, the highest distinction UP awards to its alumni for their significant contributions and exceptional service.
Now, they are ready to give back to their alma mater by headlining the grand opening ceremony, which will have separate tickets from the season opener basketball game between the UP Fighting Maroons and the Ateneo Blue Eagles later that day.
The festivities leading up to the new season will begin two weeks earlier, with all eight UAAP member schools uniting in their respective pep rallies.
As the host, UP will visit each of the seven other universities to present a symbolic, LED-lit torch.
This torch will be displayed throughout the year and removed at the end of the season, similar to the Olympic Flame’s extinguishing at the conclusion of the Games.
UP has also invited each school to interpret the season theme through art on a large canvas, which will be called “The Unity Wall.”
This collaborative artwork is expected to be showcased in playing venues throughout the season.
“Hindi ito yung traditional torch relay sa simula ng taon. Instead, we’re passing on a torch to each of our member-schools in the spirit of friendship and kinship, reminding us of the harmony and cooperation that exists within the league,” Perasol explained.
“The artworks naman, although they’re different, they will form a collective whole and deliver the same message. Parang ang UAAP lang. We’re stronger, better, together not because we’re all the same, but actually, dahil tayo’y may mga pagkakaiba-iba.”
The series of pep rallies will kick off with the University of the East on August 28, followed by Ateneo de Manila University and Far Eastern University on August 30, National University and UP on September 3, De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas on September 4, and Adamson University on September 5.
