BOCAUE – The Philippines inaugurated its co-hosting of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup at the Philippine Arena here with a world-class performance headlined by Asia’s Popstar Royalty, Sarah Geronimo.
The flags of participating nations in the global hoops conclave took center stage, with the Philippine flag, obviously, eliciting the loudest cheers from fans inside the cavernous 55,000-seater arena in Bulacan.
As the lights within the arena dimmed, the local folk-pop band Ben & Ben emerged from the left side of the arena, facing the crowd, and delivered their hit song ‘Ride Home’ to the delight of thousands of fans present.
Once again, the lights dimmed, leaving the fans yearning for more after Ben & Ben’s exhilarating performance that left them awestruck.
Next, The Dawn took the stage from the right side of the arena, performing one of their top songs, ‘Iisang Bangka’, whose opening line aptly depicted the atmosphere within the immense arena – ‘Kay dilim at kay ginaw sa kalawakan ng dagat.’
Geronimo, accompanied by rapper JRoa, took centerstage to perform ‘Alam’, with Geronimo showcasing her graceful dancing prowess that has earned her immense adoration not only in the Philippines but also across Asia.
To conclude the performance, Geronimo, Ben & Ben, and The Dawn, led by lead singer Jett Pangan, gathered at center stage. Pangan enthralled the fans by performing his band’s hit song, ‘Salamat’, keeping them on the edge of their seats.
Salamat, SBP. Salamat, FIBA. Salamat, Pilipinas.
