Asia’s Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo turned her stage into a platform for truth-telling as she denounced corruption in the country during the grand opening of UAAP Season 88 at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Friday, September 19.
Performing her hit “Ikot-Ikot” before thousands of students and fans, Geronimo linked the song’s message to the ongoing controversies hounding government projects, including the alleged anomalies in flood control funds. She did not mince words as she addressed the crowd: “’Di naman lingid sa kaalaman natin na napakaraming nangyayaring kaguluhan, kasinungalingan, panloloko ang ginagawa sa ating bansa. Ang ating mga kabataan, kayo ang pag-asa ng ating bansa, ng ating bayan. One day, kayo ang magbabago ng bulok na sistema ng bansang ito.”
The statement struck a chord with the UST community and UAAP supporters, who witnessed not only the spectacle of Season 88’s opening but also a rare moment of raw conviction from one of OPM’s most beloved icons.
Themed “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action,” this year’s UAAP season hosted by UST featured an elaborate showcase of Thomasian culture, highlighted by a drone display and performances from top acts like Kean Cipriano and Lola Amour. But it was Geronimo’s impassioned words that became the night’s defining moment, echoing across España as a call for accountability and change.
Her remarks came amid growing public outrage over alleged misuse of government funds, particularly in infrastructure projects.
