A couple of years ago, it was a series of mascot shows, trying to outwit the likes of the Justice League and the Marvel heroes. Then it changed. It went for an Olympic style parade; and now, it has become, as they call it, Unbreakable.
In my stay in DLSU, I have witnessed two UAAP Openings. My first is season 73, which DLSU hosted, and my second is the UAAP hosted by Ateneo.
For the past UAAP seasons, as is tradition, the host school usually dwells on the amount of resources the institution has accumulated for said event; the school’s expanding connections and network of successful alumni; and the host university’s grand theme for the season.
Two years ago, DLSU chose the theme “Where Heroes are Made”, the reason being that the University wanted to celebrate the results of the national elections and President Aquino’s strong win.
It was a time when the country needed a modern day hero, especially after the questionable actions of the former president; the student athletes that represented their respective University colors should have actualized that goal.
The Opening day was like a play, a gala show at the Araneta. There were so many mascots and heroes, embodied by the athletes from the different universities. There was even a teaser that justified the heroes’ logos with modern day mascots, fighting the forces of evil.
Evil? It was said that there was also an organ donation program during the season that I was not able to hear from the news.
That UAAP was one of the most memorable ones in UAAP history; the season’s closing marked the inauguration of the streetdance competition, that ran a little off from the heroes theme.
Was it just riding the electoral hype by choosing a cliché heroes theme, or was it really time for us to evaluate ourselves as persons who could be leaders and modern day heroes? Moreover, do athletes deserve to be called heroes? Maybe.
Following suit was season 74’s hearts. The theme centered on the importance of the heart, and of the value of love for the game. Ateneo dubbed last UAAP season, “All Out, All Heart,” which was going well, until it rained.
The Opening day was held at the open field of the Marikina Sports Complex, where it featured an Olympic style of opening.
All athletes from the eight participating schools were required to parade. The all out part is done, but it rained all day, taking many a heart out from the audience.
It takes much heart to parade under the rain with color-coded umbrellas, but the audience benches were sunken underwater; it was July then, rain was expected. Only many did not think that it would rain.
The common sports events also opened with a parade, which is quite like a tradition in the UAAP.
This year, National University will host the much-anticipated games; the university chose “Unbreakable at 75.” Maybe because it is the diamond year of the UAAP and diamonds are known for their hardness and strength.
National U disclosed that the athletes would take center stage in the Opening, instead of the celebrities and the big names in the realm of sports.
With the state-of-the-art Mall of Asia Arena as the UAAP’s home, two rides away from DLSU, this season looks to be more exciting and accessible for Lasallians.
The real verdict, though, of whether the colorful lights and sound shows could depict the theme “Unbreakable” remains to be seen on July 14.
As the UAAP hosting rotates among the eight schools, each has practically seven years to prepare for a hosting stint.
Whether a theme would be a good theme or a flopped start to begin with would really depend on the student athletes and the sports that we choose to support.
