UST hosts UAAP 88 opening with mass and fireworks

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) will host the opening ceremonies of the UAAP's 88th season on September 19 at its own turf in the UST Grandstand and Open Field, featuring a mass, an official program titled 'Journey of Hope,' and a finale concert.

UST plans to showcase Thomasian culture through performances, drone displays, wall projection mapping, and a fireworks show at 6 pm, expected to draw around 25,000 to 30,000 people.

The event will include the 'Thomasian Welcome Walk' for all student-athletes from seven other member schools before lighting the cauldron, marking the start of the games.

UST's opening ceremony theme is 'Strength in Motion, Hope in Action,' accompanied by an original theme song composed by Louell Baldoza and interpreted by Kian Cipriano during Wednesday’s press conference.

Basketball games will commence on September 20 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, with challenges posed by the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship overlapping venues.