UST WAS the place where dreams were written and manifested for singer Kean Cipriano.
Nearly 20 years after dropping out of the Conservatory of Music, Cirpriano returns to UST as the handpicked performer for the UAAP Season 88 theme song.
“This is where my dreams started. This is where it all began. This is where I put what I want to happen in my life,” Cipriano told the Varsitarian. ”I wrote my biggest dreams in my classroom here in UST.”
Cipriano gave life to “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action” in the UAAP Season 88 theme song written by Louell Baldoza, a faculty member of the Institute of Religion, who won UST’s songwriting competition. The song title also serves as the season’s theme.
He performed the song for the first time during the Season 88 press conference at the Dr. Robert C. Sy Grand Ballroom in the Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building on Aug. 27.
Cipriano studied for a year at the College of Commerce and Business Administration before shifting to the Conservatory of Music for a semester. He then left UST in 2005 to focus on the band Callalily.
A year later, Callalily produced their biggest hit, “Magbalik,” a song inspired by a letter the band’s drummer, Lemuel Belaro, received. In a past interview, Belaro revealed the song was written in a jeepney with Cipriano.
The band then became a household name in local music, producing more hits such as “Stars,” “Ex,” and “Pansamantala.”
Just like all his other hit songs, Cipriano believed such a project with UST was God-given.
“I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to do for the past couple of months. What I’m going to do for my 20th anniversary or plans of how I’m going to celebrate it,” he said. “Then this project came to me. Binigay talaga sa akin. It’s like heaven gave it to me. It’s a big blessing.”
“When I found out that I was going to sing the theme song for this year’s UAAP and host UST, it was priceless. It’s one of the milestones in my career.”
According to Cipriano, the Conservatory of Music got in touch with him to offer him the song, a move that caught him by surprise.
“When they were looking for me, I was like, what’s going on? Bakit niyo ako kailangan?,” he said.
“But then I was excited when they were looking for me. They talked to the management. The usual dealings. When we closed the deal, I was like, let’s do it. I was so excited. When I heard the song, I was like, ang ganda nito ha.”
Cipriano knew the project had a great foundation, especially as the song is about bringing hope in united action.
“I knew they would take care of the project. It wasn’t that painful,” he said. “All I had to do was sing. The message was truthful din and noong narinig ko ‘yun, sabi ko, I wanted to be part of it.
Also a sports fan, Cipriano admitted he no longer watches the UAAP as much as he did back in college, when he was an avid spectator of the Growling Tigers.
This season, he hopes to be a spectator once more, especially as he has become the voice of the season’s theme.
“My friends and family know that I want to watch UAAP games. So when I found out that I’m a part of it this year, I asked them how I can access it,” he said.
“Sports has always been in my heart. I hope I get to represent UST well through this theme song.”
