The UAAP: Our annual habit
I saw freshmen from different schools who were either in awe or so excited… The sight has always made me nostalgic, taking me back to the day I got to watch my first UAAP game.
AS I WALKED past Gateway in Cubao last Saturday, long lines of young people greeted me as I neared Araneta Coliseum.
No, there wasn’t a concert of a pop icon like Usher nor some youth convention—it was the opening day of the 73rd Season of the UAAP.
The opening ceremonies marked the time of year when school pride, school spirit, “the animo,” or whatever you call that which you feel when you go to battle, fills the air.
People still reeling from the unending rivalry between the Lakers and the Celtics shift their passion to the fierce battle between Blue and Green.
All about being a hero
Student athletes of the eight participating schools embody this year’s theme, “UAAP 73: Where Heroes are Made.” A catchy AVP on the big screen started the day’s festivities.
It showed a student-athlete from each school morphing into a superhero, in full battle gear, fighting off armed bad guys who appeared out of nowhere to take over a campus.
Actor and swimmer Enchong Dee represented host school De La Salle University and drew screams and shouts from fans as he was introduced as the Green Archer hero.
Lasallian talent at its finest
The crowd was also treated to a high-energy dance number by DLSU students and Mr. Pure Energy himself, Gary Valenciano, who proudly wore his La Salle jacket as he sang and danced to his ’90s hit “Hataw Na.”
Gary V’s pulsating performance was followed by fellow La Salle alum Ogie Alcasid singing “Bagong Pilipinas,” the song he sang in the June 30 inaugural of President Noynoy Aquino.
A video clip of the President delivering his inaugural speech capped the performance—an inspiration for the student-athletes and hopefully everyone in the arena to become heroes in their own way.
Hard habit to break
In the Araneta crowd last Saturday, I saw familiar faces—those I always get to see each season. I also saw freshmen who were either in awe or excited. Such sight has always made me feel nostalgic, taking me back to the day I got to watch my first UAAP game.
“It’s the atmosphere, the school spirit, the sound of the drums banging and the students cheering that make me want to come back and watch every year,” said JC Bautista, a 25-year-old Communication Arts alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas.
VIP alums are around during big games—like Vice President Jojo Binay who was proudly sporting a UP Alumni jacket and cheering for his alma mater’s team, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. Unfortunately, the Maroons lost.
The UAAP is indeed an annual spectacle that has continued to draw students, alumni and sports fans alike—an equalizer of sorts where people from different schools, socio-economic status and ages come together to enjoy good, friendly, yet intense competition.
source: Inquirer
ASAP 2012
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