John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

Popstar royalty Sarah Geronimo takes the stage at UAAP Season 88's opening ceremony, September 19, 2025. UAAP Media Team

Article (news)

Sarah Geronimo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758294146928UAAP Season 88 Opening Ceremony-3446 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Popstar royalty Sarah Geronimo takes the stage at UAAP Season 88&#x27;s opening ceremony in University of Santo Tomas, September 19, 2025. UAAP Media Team</div>MANILA — Popstar royalty Sarah Geronimo issued a strongly worded message as she took the stage during the opening ceremonies of UAAP Season 88 at University of Santo Tomas.She expressed her disappointment at &quot;deception&quot; and the prevailing corruption in the country, as she sang her hit song &quot;Ikot-ikot&quot; on Friday during the event.&quot;Parang panloloko sa bansa natin, pinaikot-ikot lang tayo, tama na,&quot; Geronimo said as she paused her performance.Amidst protests against corruption and the flood control mess, Geronimo told the youth—whom she called the hope of the nation—not to lose will and faith, and to continue having hope in &quot;changing the rotten system.&quot;&quot;Let us all be reminded na kayo—I don&#x27;t want to put the pressure on you—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,&quot; Geronimo told the 36,629 attendees from all eight member schools at the University’s Main Building and Open Field.&quot;&#x27;Wag kayo mawalan ng pag-asa, &#x27;wag tayo mawalan ng pag-asa, kumapit tayo sa hope at patuloy na magtiwala na balang araw, mababago rin ang bulok na sistema na &#x27;yan,&quot; Geronimo said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/19/ust-lights-up-with-grand-ceremony-to-officially-open-uaap-season-88-1858">READ: UST lights up with grand ceremony to officially open UAAP Season 88 </a></div>She hopes to see a Philippines that will have job opportunities for all, and Filipinos won&#x27;t need to go overseas for work.&quot;Uunlad din ang ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas, [na] hindi na natin kailangang umalis ng bansa para makapaghanap ng magandang trabaho dahil nandidito na lahat ng oportunidad.&quot;She also called on everyone to pray for the country, &quot;Patuloy nating ipagdasal ang ating bansa.&quot;The famed singer was in the España campus as the school officially kicked off the new season of the collegiate league.Nearby, De La Salle University held a protest along Taft Avenue also on Friday, joined by students and religious sisters. Other similar protests were held in campuses all over the country.

"Parang panloloko sa bansa natin, pinaikot-ikot lang tayo, tama na," says popstar royalty Sarah Geronimo during the opening ceremonies of #UAAPSeason88.

"Parang panloloko sa bansa natin, pinaikot-ikot lang tayo, tama na," says popstar royalty Sarah Geronimo during the opening ceremonies of #UAAPSeason88.

In UAAP opening, Sarah Geronimo joins pushback against corruption: 'Pinaikot-ikot lang tayo, tama na'

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Sports

In UAAP opening, Sarah Geronimo joins pushback against corruption: 'Pinaikot-ikot lang tayo, tama na'

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 19, 2025 11:17 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 20, 2025 01:25 AM PHT

Read More:

abssports

UAAP Season 88

University of Santo Tomas

Sarah Geronimo

UAAP

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.