COMEDIAN Jose Marie “Vice Ganda” Viceral challenged the UAAP’s young audience to take an active role in shaping a society that protects their freedom and provides a decent quality of life as she headlined the Season 89 Kickoff Show on Saturday.
Speaking before a packed SM Mall of Asia Arena, the Far Eastern University alumna used the concert not only to entertain but also to call on the younger generation to stand up, remain involved and demand better leadership.
“Kaya naman ang hamon ko sa inyo ay ipanalo n’yo ang lipunan na magbibigay sa inyo ng disenteng pamumuhay at kalayaang magtagumpay. At mangyayari lamang iyan kapag ipanalo n’yo ang mga lider na hindi kayo nanakawan at gagawin kayong bobo at ilulubog ang inyong pag-asa sa baha,” Viceral said.
“Kaya naman Gen Z, I challenge you to show up, fight, no matter what.”
Viceral said the UAAP venue offered an ideal platform to speak directly to students and young fans, whom she hopes to inspire to become part of efforts toward meaningful change.
“I felt like it was the perfect moment with the perfect target audience at the perfect location. I did not want to waste that chance,” she said.
“Polsci student ako kaya I wanted to have the chance na maipikita ko ang pinag-aralan ko sa FEU. Sila yung tinatarget natin na mga tao na gusto natin ma-inspire at makasama sa kahit anuman na gusto natin na pagbabago.”
The comedian also reflected on her years at FEU, saying the university helped her embrace her identity and gave her the freedom to pursue her ambitions despite the challenges she faced.
“I am Vice Ganda, a proud Tamaraw. Isang dating pangkaraniwan na estyudyante na humarap sa maraming hamon sa buhay — hamon ng kahirapan, hamon ng diskriminasyon, at isama na natin ang hamon sa mga snatcher sa kahabaan ng Recto noon. Gayunpaman, napakapalad ko na nakaranas ako ng isang makulay na karanasan sa loob ng FEU campus. FEU allowed me to be free, free to be myself, free to be unapologetically super gay, and free to love, free to love, free to love, and free to win. It is very important that we are in an environment that allows us to win,” she said.
Her message came as part of a high-energy performance that turned the sold-out arena into a giant concert venue.
Viceral entered aboard a giant golden Tamaraw and performed Dua Lipa’s “Training Season” before sharing the stage with Babydolls, Kyle Echarri, Maki, Darren Espanto and BINI members Mikha and Maloi.
She also performed “Fight Song” and “All We Do Is Win,” while fellow FEU alumnus Gloc-9 opened the show with a six-song set and returned for the finale.
The two performers, together with FEU dancers, closed the program with the UAAP Season 89 theme song, “Dito Sa Amin.”
Viceral said she was thrilled when FEU invited her to headline the first UAAP Kickoff Show, which was mounted as a major sporting-event spectacle.
“When I saw the performance of UST last year when they had Sarah Geronimo, feel ko may chance na tatawagan ako ng FEU,” she recalled. “True enough, tinawagan nga ako ng FEU. I was super excited. It was my gift to FEU.”
The UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament begins on Sunday, with host FEU facing Adamson University at noon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. (Adrian Co)
