Vice Ganda did more than deliver an “Unkabogable” performance at the opening of UAAP Season 89 as the comedian and television host used the stage to challenge young Filipinos to become active participants in shaping the country’s future.
Performing before thousands of students and sports fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday, September 12, the Far Eastern University (FEU) alumna urged Gen Zs to use their voices, show up, and choose leaders who will create an environment where Filipinos can succeed.
“It is very important to exist in an environment that allows us to win. Kaya naman ang hamon ko sa inyo, ipanalo ninyo ang lipunang magbibigay sa inyo ng disenteng pamumuhay at kalayaang magtagumpay at mangyayari lang ‘yon ‘pag naipanalo ninyo ang mga lider na hindi kayo nanakawan at gagawin kayong bobo at ilulubog ang inyong dangal at pag-asa sa baha,” Vice said.
“Kaya naman Gen Zs, I challenge you to fight, show up, and win no matter what.”
The message came during Vice’s appearance at the UAAP Kickoff Show, where the “Unkabogable Phenomenal Superstar” headlined the “Super Unkaboga-Bowl” production number alongside BINI members Mikha and Maloi, Kyle Echarri, Maki, Darren Espanto, and all-female group Baby Dolls.
Before delivering the challenge, Vice reflected on her years as an FEU student and credited the university with providing an environment where she felt free to discover and express herself.
“I am Vice Ganda, a proud Tamaraw,” she declared.
“Isang dating pangkaraniwang estudyante na humarap sa hamon ng buhay — hamon ng kahirapan, hamon ng diskriminasyon, isama na rin ang hamon sa mga snatcher ng Recto noon,” she quipped.
“Gayunpaman, napakapalad kong nakaranas ng makulay na karanasan sa FEU campus. FEU allowed me to be free, free to be myself, free to be unapologetically super gay, free to love, free to fight and most importantly, free to win.”
For Vice, however, having the freedom to succeed also depends on the kind of society people build around themselves. She used that point to encourage students to be discerning about the leaders they elect and not remain passive amid social and political issues.
After the program, Vice explained that she deliberately used the UAAP platform to speak to young Filipinos because she felt the audience and occasion were appropriate for the message she wanted to deliver.
“I felt like it was the perfect moment to do it. Perfect audience, perfect target audience, perfect target listener, perfect location so I didn’t want to waste that chance since you said nga na Polsci (Political Science) student ako, kailangan bigyan natin sila ng glimpse ng ano bang pinag-aralan niya sa FEU,” she said.
“I didn’t wanna waste the chance, sila ang tina-target natin ngayon na mga tao na gusto nating ma-inspire sa puwede nating sabihin at makasama sa kung anumang gusto nating gawing pagbabago sa bansa kaya ‘yung message na ‘yun swak sa kanila.”
The UAAP performance also fulfilled a longtime dream for Vice, who revealed that she had always wanted to perform at a major sporting event.
“Fantasy ko siya, noon pa. Kahit ‘pag may mga cheerdance competition, sinasabi ko hindi ba puwedeng may guest celebrity performer, biglang sasama ako sa event. Dream ko ‘yang makapag-perform sa ganyan,” she shared.
“It was my gift for FEU.”
Vice was not the only FEU alumnus featured during the opening festivities. The ceremony formally ushered in UAAP Season 89 with the student-athletes taking their oath of sportsmanship and the traditional lighting of the UAAP cauldron.
But beyond the spectacle of the season opener, Vice made sure her appearance carried a message specifically for the generation of students watching her: winning should not be limited to sports, academics, or personal ambitions.