UAAP Season 88’s grand opening reached its crescendo as host school University of Santo Tomas capped its celebration with the “Hope Concert” on Friday night, September 19, at the UST Open Field.
Before a roaring 36,629-strong crowd braving the rain, the host school paid tribute to its rich history and future aspirations, spotlighting none other than its most celebrated alumna — Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo.
Geronimo, who once walked the halls of UST Education High School, made a triumphant homecoming with a powerful five-song set that embodied the season’s theme, “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action.”
With hits like ‘Dati-Dati,’ ‘Kapit,’ ‘Ikot-Ikot,’ ‘Tala,’ and ‘Kilometro,’ she turned the concert into a celebration not just of music, but of the Thomasian spirit.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“This University was once my home,” the 37-year-old singer-actress shared. “Minsan din akong umapak sa Unibersidad na ito, first year and second year high school po ako nag-aral dito sa UST Education High School.
“At mahal na mahal ko ang UST at mga naging kaklase ko, miss na miss at pinapangarap ko po talaga na one day ay makapagtapos ng kolehiyo dito sa UST.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
But beyond nostalgia, Geronimo used the spotlight to deliver a heartfelt call to action.
She urged today’s youth to hold firmly to hope and take part in building a better nation despite the shadows of corruption and broken systems.
“Hindi naman lingit sa kaalaman natin na napakaraming nangyari na kaguluhan, kasinungalingan, pangloloko ang ginagawa sa ating bansa,” she said. “Let us all be reminded na kayo… Ang ating mga kabataan, kayo ang pag-asa ng ating bansa at ating bayan.
“One day, kayo ang magbabago ng bulok na sistema ng bansang ito. Huwag kayo mawalan ng pag-asa.”
The Hope Concert, designed to echo the spirit of UST’s iconic Paskuhan tradition, featured a stellar lineup of performers after Geronimo’s set.
Rising OPM star Earl Agustin warmed the crowd with ‘Dito Sa’kin,’ ‘Pag-ibig ng Ikaw at Ako,’ ‘Dalangin,’ ‘Aya,’ and ‘Tibok,’ while singer-songwriter Rob Deniel charmed fans with ‘Sinta,’ ‘Pag-ibig,’ ‘Miss Miss,’ and ‘RomCom.’
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Finally, modern OPM powerhouse Lola Amour capped the evening with a high-energy performance that sent the Open Field into a frenzy.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
With anthems like ‘Pwede Ba,’ ‘Fallen,’ ‘Dance with My Mistakes,’ ‘Namimiss Ko Na,’ and the crowd favorite ‘Raining in Manila,’ the band sealed the night in a celebration of unity and hope.
