A familiar buzz of excitement rippled through the University last June 13 as Lasallians stepped into the spotlight once again for this year’s Lasallian Showtime, one of the three flagship events of Gunita Fest 2025. The annual University Vision-Mission Week (UVMW) spectacle shone a light on the University’s hidden gems and celebrated their raw, unfiltered talent.
In a whirlwind of creativity, competition, and community, seven hand-picked finalists took to the stage at the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium to flaunt flair and finesse in an epic battle for the title of “De La Salle University’s Big Star” and a chance to perform at Animusika 2025, the coveted debut dream for many.
A slow burn into the spotlight
Easing the crowd into the evening was Nami, whose soulful rendition of SWV’s slow jam staple Weak was bound to melt the room. True enough, the soloist had the audience weak in their knees and wanting more as she glided through each chorus with her buttery-smooth vocals. Her effortless runs and vocal dips echoed throughout the walls of the auditorium, each lyric unfolding like velvet and retaining its richness until the very last note.
Marking a shift in tempo, Su Obra took center stage to enchant the audience with Leaving You Here, an original composition that blended sentimental seams of melody and movement. With her featherlight voice and emotive scarf choreography, Obra evoked a deep longing for an unknown yet shared memory. As the song swelled to its final moments, Obra soared to a stunning triple high note, garnering a thunderous and well-deserved ovation.
Singer-songwriter Vinzen drew the audience into a romantic, pop-infused soundscape with his original piece A Part of Me, all without missing a beat. Each verse was laced with an ache that reverberated across the auditorium, earning him collective swoons and cheers from the now-lovesick crowd. As his melancholic serenade drew to a close, a part of Vinzen was truly left behind—in both his penned, candid lyrics and the hearts of every listener.
A myriad of melodies
Turning up the heat, AJANOVA, clad in red and black leather, commanded the stage with powerful vocals and heart-pounding moves to the hit song APT. by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars. The energetic production fully transformed the auditorium into a mini K-pop concert, culminating in a bold rendition of BLACKPINK’s How You Like That, earning a roar of applause from the audience.
Internet sensation JetNekko followed, walking hand-in-hand with nostalgia and a guitar. The singer-songwriter, famously known as one of the members of the TikTok-viral Chinito Walkers, bared his musical soul and prowess by performing Hinayang, an original and unreleased song dedicated to hearts heavy with regret. His second number, a soft cover of Multo by Cup of Joe, only dug further into the theme of deep, visceral yearning.
Soon after, Reine Bangug’s impassioned vocals ensnared the stage, enchanting audiences with a captivating rendition of Loren Allred’s Never Enough from The Greatest Showman. With her crystal-clear and richly emotive voice, the singer held the crowd spellbound until the very final moment of her set.
Closing the evening was Hubert Aguas, who delivered memorable melodies to the listeners. Equipped with his soothing voice and strums, romance filled the atmosphere as he serenaded the audience with an acoustic set of Shania Twain’s You’re Still The One. The audience erupted in a symphony of claps and cheers, ultimately bringing the program to a triumphant close.
The Lasallian Showtime is more than just a competition–it tills the soil for homegrown talent to grow and shine. These performances—ranging from heart-clenching ballads to dynamic, show-stopping productions—highlighted the rich and diverse repertoire of talent among members of the Lasallian community.
While every act inspired, entertained, and dazzled the crowd, one performer ultimately prevailed. JetNekko was crowned champion and secured a coveted spot in the much-anticipated lineup for Animusika 2025. All in all, this year’s competition featured a vibrant array of sounds and stories, reminding every Lasallian that the Animo spirit can take many forms, especially through fearless, uninhibited artistry.
