The UAAP and Varsity Lifestyle Co. renewed their partnership for three more years in a ceremonial contract signing on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, home of Season 88’s host.
VLC and the UAAP began their collaboration in 2023, and with this renewal, the official licensed merchandise brand is now guaranteed to be present in venues for the next three years, offering students, alumni, and sports fans a more memorable experience.
UAAP Season 88 President Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP, and VLC Business Development Head Kirk Damasco signed the contract alongside Board of Managing Directors representatives Emmanuel Calanog of La Salle and Gilda Ma. Paz Kamus of the University of Santo Tomas, who also served as witnesses.
“In so many ways, it’s a dream come true. Before, we used to line up at 3 a.m. just for tickets, hoping to get Gen Ad or Upper sections. Eventually, to do merchandise for all schools and to watch all the games and cheer for all the teams—very fulfilling, very meaningful,” said Damasco.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
VLC is present at most UAAP games, offering a variety of items with designs specially curated for each of the eight member schools to enhance the fan experience.
Among the merchandise available are school shirts, football kits, varsity jackets, hoodies, sweatshirts, caps, ballers, stickers, lanyards, keychains, and scarves.
“We really started with a new brand in 2023, and it was a conscious effort to grow the brand. The goal is to capture the lifestyle of varsity student-athletes, as well as students and fans of the teams and schools, because we also have non-UAAP school fans,” added Damasco.
“Part of our effort is to stay relevant to the day-to-day lives and trends of students, to be present at almost all games, to give voice and representation to all schools, and to engage with fans both online and offline.”
In addition to being available at venues, VLC merchandise can also be purchased online at www.varsitylifestyleco.com, where discounts and bundle offers are occasionally available.
For Kamus, who also serves as Season 88 treasurer, the renewal signals more opportunities ahead as students, alumni, and fans continue to enjoy VLC’s offerings.
“Extending this partnership is a huge factor, especially because its reach now really extends to students—not just the student-athletes. They’ll feel like, ‘My idol wears this,’ so even if they can’t be physically present, through the shirts and VLC designs, they’re part of the experience,” said Kamus.
