THE build-up for the new UAAP season has gone underway with all eight member-schools putting their hands together as one during their respective pep rallies.

University of the Philippines, as Season 87 host, will visit the seven other universities to gift them with a symbolic, LED-lit torch that is meant to be displayed throughout the year and will be taken off its perch at the end of the season, reminiscent of the extinguishing of the Olympic Flame at the end of The Games.

At the same time, UP has invited each school to interpret the season theme and express it through art on a large canvas to be called “The Unity Wall,” which is expected to be exhibited in playing venues throughout the year.

“Hindi ito yung traditional torch relay sa simula ng taon. Instead, we’re passing on a torch to each of our member-schools in the spirit of friendship and kinship, reminding us of the harmony and cooperation that exists within the league,” said UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (OASD) Director Bo Perasol.

“The artworks naman, although they’re different, they will form a collective whole and deliver the same message. Parang ang UAAP lang. We’re stronger, better, together not because we’re all the same, but actually, dahil tayo’y may mga pagkakaiba-iba,” he added.

Ateneo and Far Eastern University started off the pep rallies last Friday, which were originally scheduled on Aug. 30, but bad weather shelved the festivities.

Weather-permitting, UP and University of the East are set for their pep rallies today, La Salle and University of Santo Tomas tomorrow, and National University and Adamson on Thursday.

Due to inclement weather caused by Tropical Storm “Enteng” and the suspension of classes in the National Capital Region, the UAAP has postponed yesterday’s press conference launching Season 87 and is rescheduled for tomorrow.

The iconic rock group Eraserheads will take the stage all together once more as the headliners of the grand opening ceremony on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Marcus Adoro, Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, and Buddy Zabala, who formed the Philippines’ most iconic rock band inside the UP Diliman campus, will reunite and share their music, all in the spirit of this season’s theme of “Stronger. Better. Together.”

Recently, the source of timeless songs such as “Pare Ko, “Ligaya”, “Ang Huling El Bimbo” and “With a Smile” received the Gawad Oblation Award – the highest distinction that UP bestows on its alumni for their significant contributions and extraordinary service.

Now, the Eraserheads are showing love to their alma mater as the main event of the grand opening ceremony, which will have separate tickets from the season-opener between Katipunan rivals UP and Ateneo.

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Theodore P. Jurado