A vibrant night of soulful songs and jovial jubilation—this encapsulated this year’s Animusika last June 20 at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall grounds, where the celebration of the University Vision-Mission Week (UVMW) reached a bittersweet yet blissful climax. Performers from a maelstrom of musical genres came prepared to set the stage on fire with their unique performance styles and bombastic melodies, serving attendees a night they surely won’t forget.
Homegrown sounds
As the sun started to dip below the skyline, Lasallian Showtime winner and musician Jet Nekko kicked off Animusika 2025 with stirring vocals that set a heartfelt tone for the night ahead. An emotional reverie broke out with a soulful rendition of Sa Bawat Sandali by Amiel Sol, shortly followed by echoes of Dilaw by Maki that shone the ever-familiar beat’s bright hues. Nekko closed his set with his original composition, Aking Sinta, drawing final admiration for one of the TikTok-famous Chinito Walkers’ musical flairs.
Battle of the Bands champion Chicharon then jolted the crowd with a high-voltage performance, injecting the stage with an infectious charisma through a gritty rendition of Bruno Mars’ Runaway Baby and Leave the Door Open. Their synergy was palpable as each member leaned into their pop-rock roots, blending sharp riffs as the frontman donned a cowboy hat hyped the crowd with ease.
From the electrifying energy of the Lasallian spirit, the night quickly transformed into a regional soul as Bicolana singer-songwriter dwta took the spotlight. She serenaded the crowd with Santigwar, accompanied by a cinematic backdrop of its music video, Sampung Mga Daliri, and the singer’s hit Padaba Taka—all blending familiar nursery rhymes with Bicolano lyricism.
The mellow atmosphere was soon eclipsed by the rousing entrance of Popstar Bench. The powerhouse of Drag Race Philippines Season Three, donned in an all-black leather ensemble, vivified Animusika with a fiercely passionate lip-syncing medley of Sarah Geronimo’s beloved OPM anthems: Dati-Dati, Kilometro, and Tala.
After the pomp of drag royalty, rising R&B artist DEMI mesmerized the crowd with her original song Ganon ka rin?, which was soon followed by a smooth performance of her hit melody homebdy. The DLSU alumna then closed her rhythmic set with Pakundugan, a sultry collaboration with Hev Abi that left the audience clamoring to hear more of her sweet, soulful sound.
Up all night
The exhilarating high throughout the grounds was pumped by the suave tracks of OPM hip-hop group ALLMO$T. Their opening number Bagay Tayo had concertgoers swaying to the beat of each verse. Their newly released single, babygirl further showcased the group’s contagiously catchy tunes. Excitement roared as the group rounded up their performance with their most popular release: Boyfriend. Small yellow balls with smiley face designs and personalized messages were also playfully thrown to the Lasallian crowd as parting gifts—befitting the upbeat enthusiasm of the attendees.
Up-and-coming P-pop quintet KAIA proved that they can rile up a crowd through their uniquely energetic girl crush anthems, starting their set off strong with their 2024 banger YOU DID IT. Following it up was Walang Biruan, where the group engaged the crowd by asking them to do peace signs during the chorus. Sappy Dalawa showed off the group’s vocal chops, and the Zac Tabudlo-penned TANGA brought back their signature bubblegum pop aesthetic. Capping their set was the 808s-heavy 5678, which underscored how the group can pull off hiphop-oriented concepts.
Electric guitars were soon heard from a cover by legacy act Orange & Lemons of Eraserheads’ eponymous Huwag Kang Matakot. Just in time for the new edition of the show it soundtracks, Pinoy Ako from Pinoy Big Brother kept the audience singing and dancing along. Back-to-back mellow tunes were heard, such as Just Like A Splendid Love Song, (They Long to Be) Close to You, La Bulaqueña, and Ikaw ang Aking Tahanan, ending their performance with their inescapable hits Yakap sa Dilim and Hanggang Kailan (Umuwi ka na Baby).
Amping up the crowd, Cup of Joe stepped on the stage a member at a time through an extended intro to Wag na Lang. The band sifted through their greatest hits and deep cuts from their blockbuster Silakbo record. Starting this off were the somber Hinga and the tender Patutunguhan. As an ode to their meteoric rise to fame over the past year, the band performed Pahina, then their earlier hits Misteryoso and Tingin. Ending their set on a high note, modern classic Multo rose up to the occasion as enthusiastic chants of the song’s lyrics echoed through the campus.
The crowd took a break from the musical festivities, as representatives from different colleges of the University rose up to different challenges and activities in an effort to bag a P5,000 cash prize. The segment helped Lasallians to catch their breath for the event’s grand finale.
Warmth in harmony
Concertgoers were first invited to reminisce about the night that was through an audiovisual presentation that recapped this year’s Animusika event. The anticipation for the culminating act grew higher as Ms. Maria Lourdes “Blu” Fajardo, chief executive officer and president of DLSU PUSO, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to bringing the Lasallian community’s dreams to life by introducing the much-awaited homecoming of OPM icons and University alumni—Ben&Ben.
Thunderous cheers resounded throughout the venue as the renowned folk-pop band took center stage, opening their set with chart-topping hit Paninindigan Kita, reflecting the band’s promise to return to the Manila campus. Before performing their feel-good single, Saranggola, the group put on matching graduation caps to give an uplifting message, which was that the students’ failures do not define them.
Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay radiated a similar, melancholic comfort, depicting the sorrowful twist of romantic fate. Their lyric change “La Salle, kayo parin ang pipiliin kong mahalin” elicited deafening screams, and like Araw-Araw, reminded concertgoers of the endearing tenderness in being chosen despite life’s trials and tribulations. Ride Home sparked the event’s climax, celebrating the joyous warmth of shared memories and found belongingness in the Lasallian community—the ethos of this year’s UVMW.
(You’re still the one I choose to love.)
Overflowing unity coursed through the University’s open space as the festivities concluded with the echoing chorus of the DLSU hymn, ending the Animusika and UVMW celebrations with hearts full of love and merriment.
