University of Santo Tomas Hosts Grand Outdoor Opening for UAAP Season 88

MANILA, Philippines — Upholding its legacy as Asia’s oldest university, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) proudly hosts the opening ceremonies of UAAP Season 88 with a traditional outdoor celebration set to draw an estimated 30,000 spectators at the UST Grandstand and Open Field this Friday.

The event, titled “Journey of Hope,” will begin at 6 p.m. at the heart of the UST campus, marking the continuation of the university’s unique role as the only member school staging the UAAP season start on its grounds, while other universities opt for large indoor arenas.

A highlight of the program is the century-old "Thomasian Welcome Walk," a historic rite of passage customarily held for new first-year students. This season, it will be extended to visiting student-athletes from all UAAP member schools as part of the opening activities.

Anchored by the theme “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action,” the festivities will culminate with a grand "Hope Concert," reminiscent of UST’s annual Paskuhan festival. The celebration will also include an impressive drone light show, fireworks display, and the ceremonial lighting of the massive UAAP cauldron.

UST will unveil the season’s official anthem, composed by assistant professor Louell Baldoza from the UST Institute of Religion. It will be performed by notable OPM artist and UST alumnus Kean Cipriano, former lead vocalist of the band Callalily.

Earlier in the day, the university will hold a solemn Eucharistic Celebration at 2 p.m. in the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion (QPav) Arena, in observance of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope.

UAAP Season 88 President Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P., expressed enthusiasm for the kickoff, stating, "When strength and hope unite, greatness happens. We’re all champions in one enduring flame. The gates of España are now wide open, and the stage is set. To the entire UAAP community, we are ready to give our all and let out the loudest roar this season."

He further emphasized the scale of this year’s event: "This year, we rise to the challenge — bigger, bolder, and more spectacular than ever before."

UST recently concluded an eight-day countdown titled "Light of Hope," featuring illuminations in the colors representing all eight UAAP schools on the UST Main Building, heightening anticipation ahead of the opening.

Following the ceremony, the men’s basketball tournament will commence immediately at the UST QPav Arena the next day, with FEU facing Ateneo at 2 p.m., followed by La Salle versus Adamson at 4:30 p.m.

On Sunday, UST will host reigning champions UP at 4:30 p.m., after the NU-UE match at 2 p.m. Junior basketball matches will also be held in the morning sessions on both days. Meanwhile, the women’s football tournament kicks off at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, and junior volleyball matches begin at the Blue Eagle Gym.

This season’s opening at UST promises a vibrant celebration of sportsmanship, unity, and tradition as the UAAP community comes together to champion strength and hope in motion.