The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 opened with an unprecedented musical extravaganza at the Mall of Asia Arena, headlined by Phenomenal Box Office Star and Far Eastern University (FEU) alumna Vice Ganda alongside rap maestro Gloc-9. The venue was packed with students, athletes, alumni, and fans as they came together to welcome the start of another exciting season of the UAAP collegiate tournament.
The powerhouse production brought together a stellar lineup of performers, treating students and athletes to a high-energy celebration. Gloc-9 delivered a legendary set featuring his iconic tracks Sirena, Simpleng Tao, Upuan, and Sumayaw Ka, before closing with a moving rendition of Kaleidoscope World. Gloc-9 also performed “Dito Sa Amin,” the official anthem of UAAP Season 89, which he composed specifically for the league’s newest season.
Marking the debut of the first-ever UAAP Kick-Off Show, the spectacle reached a fever pitch as Vice made a dramatic entrance atop a giant Tamaraw float, complete with elevating hydraulic stages and dynamic platforms that electrified the arena.
Joining Vice on stage was an elite group of guest artists, including BINI members Mikha and Maloi, Maki, Darren, Kyle Echarri, and the Showtime Baby Dolls, transforming the season opener into an unforgettable arena concert.
Reflecting on the experience during a post-event press conference, Vice shared the motivation behind the grand entrance, advice for young student-athletes, personal identity, and favorite FEU sports legends.
A Dream Return and a Gift to FEU
For Vice, performing at the UAAP opening was the realization of a long-held dream. Recalling days of watching cheerdance competitions from the stands and wishing to perform as a guest artist, Vice viewed the headline spot as a full-circle moment and a personal tribute to the Tamaraw community.
“I just wanted to be extra at that moment. I wanted it to be grand, I wanted it to be unkabogable,” Vice said. “This was my gift to FEU.”
Drawing from a background as a former Political Science student at FEU, Vice emphasized that the performance was tailored specifically to inspire the current generation of students to become game-changers in society.
A Warning to Youth and Athletes on Social Media
When asked what advice to offer student-athletes navigating public attention comparable to showbiz celebrities, Vice offered a candid warning about the mental health impacts of social media.
“Don’t spend too much of your time on social media. Social media is not life, social media is not education,” Vice stated. “Mas toxic na siya kaysa sa fun, mas negative na siya kaysa sa positive.”
Vice warned that overconsuming social media takes time away from family, academics, and personal discipline. For athletes, online negativity can directly jeopardize performance: “If you read bad things about you and your performance, that will affect your mental health, and that will affect your entire performance as an athlete.”
To protect personal mental health and productivity, Vice revealed relying on a dedicated digital team to manage online platforms rather than scrolling personally throughout the day.
Honoring FEU Legends and Bridging Generations
When asked to name all-time favorite FEU athletes, Vice pointed to basketball icon Johnny Abarrientos, praising him as one of the greatest athletes FEU ever produced and volleyball star Rachel Anne Daquis, who continues to inspire in the PVL.
Vice expressed deep gratitude for remaining a fixture in Philippine pop culture across multiple generations of students. “It’s an honor and a privilege to still be consumed by this new generation, to still be able to perform in front of them, to be chosen by them, and to keep up with the times.
The Kick-Off Show capped a night that blended concert-level production with collegiate tradition, setting an early bar for future UAAP openers. For Vice Ganda, the performance closed a loop nearly two decades in the making, from student spectator to season headliner.
The post Unkabogable! Vice Ganda, Gloc-9 Ignite UAAP Season 89 Kick-Off appeared first on MANILA CONCERT SCENE.
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