UST’s grand “Paskuhan-like” UAAP Season 88 opening ceremony in September 2025 earned recognition at the 22nd Philippine Quill Awards, an industry-led competition honoring outstanding communication programs, research and creative work nationwide.
The opening festivities, held on Sept. 19, drew nearly 37,000 attendees from UAAP member schools and the Thomasian community and won under Division 4: Communication Skills, Special and Experiential Events.
The spectacle transformed the UST campus into a massive stage, culminating in a Paskuhan-style concert.
The Season 88 opening began with the ceremonial cauldron lighting led by two-time Olympian and Thomasian pole vaulter EJ Obiena. Former Golden Tigresses captain Sisi Rondina, Season 70 senior basketball MVP Jervy Cruz and former Tiger Judoka Sydney Sy served as torchbearers.
Athletes from UAAP member schools marched through the Arch of the Centuries as a drone show formed the logos of the participating universities above the campus.
Thomasian artists also took the stage during the celebration. Music alumnus and OPM singer-songwriter Kean Cipriano performed the Season 88 theme song with the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe.
Popstar royalty and Education High School alumna Sarah Geronimo made a surprise appearance during the concert, which ended with an eight-minute pyromusical illuminating the UST grounds with fireworks symbolizing the cheers and colors of all eight UAAP schools.
The “Hope Concert” closed the festivities, featuring OPM artists Rob Deniel and Earl Agustin, along with Filipino rock band Lola Amour.
“We nailed it,” Season 88 President and UST athletics director Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P. told the Varsitarian in May, reflecting on the University’s hosting of the season.
“My hope is that people remember this season in full — from opening to closing,” Cansancio added. “More than that, I want it remembered as Thomasian through and through: rooted in history and grandeur, carried out with gratitude and class.”
The recognition added another highlight to UST’s banner Season 88, in which the University also captured its ninth straight seniors’ championship and eighth consecutive juniors’ crown, further cementing its standing as the winningest school in UAAP history with 49 seniors’ and 24 juniors’ titles overall.
Meanwhile, in the 12th Student Quill Awards, the Varsitarian’s UAAP Season 88 special print issue, “UAAP IS HERE,” and its first-semester video primer, “Welcome to my House,” received awards under Division 4.
The special issue featured stories on key figures in University sports, UST’s sporting history and preparations for hosting the league. The video primer was produced by former Sports editor Rob Andrew Dongiapon and managing editor Karis Tsang, edited by photo editor James Magboo, and animated by assistant art editor Regina Louise Sanota and artist Aisha Fortes.
The UAAP Season 88 Kickoff Party and The Flame’s feature on the league’s opening, “Non-Thomasians given a taste of cherished UST traditions in dazzling UAAP opener,” also earned Student Quills.
The Varsitarian’s print edition titled “Thomasian walk out: Students condemn corruption, call for accountability” likewise won an award.
UST secured 19 awards overall in the Student Quills, finishing behind De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, which took home 53 awards.
