UST prepares to welcome the 88th season of the UAAP with a press conference, August 27, 2025. Jose Raphael Gonzales, ABS-CBN News Intern
MANILA -- The UAAP is heading back to the Tigers' lair for the opening ceremonies of the league's 88th season on September 19.
The University of Santo Tomas, the host school, revealed the new season will kick off with a lineup of activities that will introduce Thomasian culture.
The opening ceremonies will be held at the UST campus in España, Manila.
"We are deeply honored to host the 88th edition of the UAAP, nine years after we last took on the league in 2016. The gates of España are open, the stage has been set. To the UAAP community, we are more than ready to give it our all and release the loudest roar this season," UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) director Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP said in a press conference on Wednesday.
The opening ceremonies will begin with a mass at 2 p.m., inspired by the Church's Jubilee Year of Hope, followed by the official program.
"As one UAAP community, we will come together to express gratitude and praise to God for the blessings we have received and to seek guidance as we start another season," Cansancio said.
READ: UST is UAAP General Champion for 8th straight season
The opening program, entitled "Journey of Hope," will take place at 6pm.
"One can expect a festive atmosphere with vibes similar to Paskuhan and other iconic UST traditions like the Welcome Walk. All designed to give the UAAP community a taste of Thomasian pride and spirit," he said.
"We are building on the success of Season 79's opening ceremony held in front of the main building. This year, we are taking it to the next level. Bigger, bolder and more spectacular than ever before," Cansancio said.
The opening will feature the usual highlights including the parade of student athletes, the oath of sportsmanship and the lighting of the cauldron, among others.
"The event also showcases stunning performances, a drone display, wall projection mapping and a fireworks show. Furthermore, a special surprise number has been planned to add to the excitement and energy of the evening," Cansancio said.
The UAAP Season 88 kickoff will be capped off by a concert at the UST grandstand and open field. They expect a crowd of between 25,000 to 30,000 to gather for the festivities.
The opening ceremony is open to the entire Thomasian community (students, faculty, support staff and alumni) and member schools. But they will be allotting 1,000 tickets for each member school, 200 particularly for the student-athletes.
The basketball season will tip off on September 20 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. Basketball games will be held on Saturday and Sunday.
The new UAAP season will coincide with the country's hosting of the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship 2025, which will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena and the Araneta Coliseum.
"For hosting this season, especially for the tournaments, we faced a challenge especially next month because of the FIVB Men’s Championship. So practically lahat ng mga big venues like Araneta and MOA hindi available," Cansancio explained.
"The practical reason we want to have the opening at yung start ng basketball season here in the campus... Also yung symbolic reason because we had the opening of Season 79 here in the campus and we would like to continue the tradition," he added.
Cansancio said there is no added pressure on the Growling Tigers since UST is host, but they are always up to the challenge.
In case of inclement weather, UST said they will push through with the opening ceremony if the rains are manageable. But if there is a storm or flooding in the area, they will move it to September 22 or another date.
READ: UAAP braces for calendar crunch with FIVB hosting, SEA Games on horizon
NEW SCHEDULES, SPORTS?
Stakeholders from the UAAP and UST during a press conference at the University of Santo Tomas campus, August 27, 2025. Jose Raphael Gonzales, ABS-CBN News Intern
Cansancio said the UAAP board of directors agreed to changes in schedules of sports for Season 88.
"The board of managing directors decided to move judo and taekwondo to the second semester," he said. "For this season, UAAP high school baseball will be coming back. And also we will be introducing the tennis boys for high school."
Judo and taekwondo are usually held in the first semester of the UAAP season.
The UAAP and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) earlier discussed the possible inclusion of more Olympic sports in the collegiate league like weightlifting, shooting and golf.
However, the UAAP board said the matter is still under discussion for now.
"We have discussed these proposals from the PSC. And that's the reason why on the part of the UAAP, we established a technical working group in order to talk about these proposals moving forward," Cansancio said.
"It's still under discussion kasi maraming i-coconsider diyan like yung financial impact on the member schools. Hindi ganun kadali mag-put up ng isang sport," he shared.
As for the final schedule of the first semester sports, they are still finalizing them to take in consideration the Southeast Asian Games happening in December.
OFFICIAL THEME SONG UNVEILED
During the press conference on Wednesday, the official theme song was revealed through a performance by UST alumnus, singer-songwriter Kean Cipriano.
The song entitled "Strength in Motion, Hope in Action" was written by Louell Baldoza from the UST Institute of Religion.
UST earlier revealed the theme for UAAP Season 88 as "Strength in Motion, Hope in Action" which not only promises fierce competition, but also signifies a celebration of courage, discipline and the unifying spirit of sportsmanship.
UST also unveiled the logo which it said is 'a symbol of teamwork and solidarity among the UAAP member schools.' It serves as a visual representation of the shared commitment to building a better future through unity in sports and education.
The logo designed by the UST College of Fine Arts and Design, features two interlocking number eights forming a shape of a flame, donning the official hues of the UAAP member institutions.
The last time UST hosted the UAAP was back in Season 79, where the black and gold also won overall champion for both the seniors and juniors division.
The opening ceremonies in Season 79 were held at the Plaza Mayor in 2016.