THE “CONCERT capital” of Philippine universities has again thrown a grand party.
The University staged another jam-packed concert last Jan. 27 to cap off its year-long Quadricentennial festivities and welcome its new century.
Technical glitches did not stop the crowd—estimated at 80,000—from enjoying the music and performances of Thomasian stars Ciara Sotto, Jamie Rivera, John Lapus, Nonoy Zuñiga, and Sarah Geronimo during the five-hour Neo-centennial Grand Variety Show at the UST Grandstand and Open Field.
Side A performed their hit single “Forevermore,” with Thomasians Joey Generoso and Naldy Gonzales on vocals and keyboards, respectively.
“It’s nice to be back here, and [it makes me] proud to be a Thomasian,” said Generoso, who studied at the Conservatory of Music in 1984 but was not able to finish his degree after joining the band.
“Iba `yung pakiramdam na nasa sarili kang alma mater,” Generoso told the Varsitarian.
Comedian John Lapus, meanwhile, thrilled the audience as he performed his routine dance number for a weekly showbiz-oriented program that included lifting and stunts.
Lapus, a Hotel and Restaurant Management alumnus, said “It’s more fun in UST,” citing a number of reasons why Thomasians should take pride in the University.
For “popstar princess” Sarah Geronimo, the “best time of her youth” was spent in the University. “[Hindi ko malilimutan] `yung bonding namin ng mga classmates ko na naging kabarkada ko na rin,” she said.
Geronimo, who spent two years at Education High School, gave her own rendition of Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass” as her opening salvo, followed by “Forever’s Not Enough” and her signature piece “To Love You More.”
“Inspirational diva” Jamie Rivera, who studied in UST from elementary to college, said it was “nostalgic” to set foot again on the University grounds.
“I am a full-blooded Thomasian, and I spent half of my childhood here in UST,” she said. “Ang gusto ko sa UST, lagi tayong balanced. Wala tayong sinisiraang school. I’ve never heard of a Thomasian trying to ruin the reputation of any other school.”
Rivera, an alumna of the College of Commerce and Business Administration, urged Thomasians to “keep the Thomasian values,” including humility, faith in God, and being humane.
Meanwhile, “soul diva” Jaya, who performed in UST for the first time, said she has “a lot of faith” in Thomasians. “I’m honored that I am a part of this celebration. The next time this happens is gonna be a long time so masaya akong naging parte [ako] nito,” she told the Varsitarian.
Arnel Pineda, vocalist of the internationally acclaimed band Journey, said he did not expect to be invited to the show. “I’m very honored and grateful [that UST] included me in the roster of talents to perform here.”
Following her first performance in UST, Zia Quizon said it was amusing to sing before fellow students, adding that she was amazed upon seeing the campus for the first time.
“Sobrang ganda talaga. Sabi ko parang gusto ko na lumipat. Ang ganda ng campus,” said Quizon, a Literature major at the De La Salle University.
Having been invited several times to perform in UST before, former Rivermaya vocalist Rico Blanco said it has always been a pleasure to perform before the Thomasian community.
“I always look forward to playing here [because Thomasians] are the best audience in the country [or should I say], in all [of] the universities,” said Blanco, who sung his trademark songs “Umaaraw, Umuulan,” “Antukin,” “Liwanag sa Dilim,” and “Hinahanap-hanap Kita.”
“If people from other schools don’t believe it, they should come here during Paskuhan and they will know what I mean,” he added.
Rapper Gloc9, meanwhile, said he fell “in love” with UST during the 2011 Paskuhan.
“[N’ung] tinanong nila ‘ko kung pwedeng mag-perform ako [ulit] dito, ang sabi ko, ‘Oo naman siyempre!’”
The event was also graced by The Dawn, led by vocalist Jett Pangan, singers Jasper Jimenez of Music and Sherleen dela Cruz of the College of Education, Commerce Dance Troupe, Salinggawi Dance Troupe, Speed Dancers, and officers of the Student Organizations Coordinating Council.
The program was capped off by the community singing of the UST Hymn led by Rivera, Geronimo, Sotto, Lapus, and Coro Tomasino.
‘U-wide’ feast
Ahead of the show, Thomasians took the rare occasion to spend time with friends during the “Neo-Centennial Fiesta,” partaking of lechong baka, lechong baboy, and lechong manok distributed for free at food stations around campus.
For graduating students, the fiesta was not just a run-on-the-mill event as it was one of their few remaining chances to unwind before their ceremonial exit through the Arch of the Centuries.
Four years after graduating from UST Education High School, the batch of “Respect 2008” kept their promise to each other — that the bonds built from high school would never be forgotten. College of Commerce and Business Administration senior Cez Javier said studying in different schools did not weaken their old ties.
“Ang sarap ng food at ang saya ng bonding namin ng mga high school classmates ko,” Javier said.
Political Science senior Janelly Quitlong and her classmates jostled at the fountain in the Quadricentennial Square, describing the activity as the culmination of her life in college. “This is our last year and we want to experience what we haven’t done before,” Quitlong said. “This event is overwhelming because it rarely happens.”
Accountancy senior Jennifer Lagare, reminiscing her years in UST, wanted her last year to be memorable. “It was very fun. All this might be our last because we are already up for graduation. So we relished what we had and had the time of our lives.” The News Team with Ana May R. Dela Cruz and Jan Dominic G. Leones
