Far Eastern University (FEU) alumna and entertainment icon Vice Ganda’s explosive performance in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 Kickoff Show goes beyond the spectacle that rocked the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

Aligning with the season’s theme “For everyone, UAAP,” the showbiz royalty also used the occasion to deliver a message about freedom, social responsibility, and the power of young people to shape society.

“I am Vice Ganda, a proud Tamaraw. Just a normal student who faced the challenges of life — of poverty, discrimination — including the threat of snatchers plying Recto before. Despite all that, I’m lucky to have a colorful experience inside the 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, and free to win. It is very important that we are in an environment that allows us to win,” Vice Ganda said.

Vice Ganda also challenged the new generation to stand up and fight for a better future for the Philippines.

“My challenge to you is to champion a society that will uplift your lives and that will give you the freedom to win in life. And it will only happen if you elect a leader who will not steal from you, fool you and drown your hopes in flood,” she continued.

“So, to Gen Z, I challenge you to show up, fight, no matter what.”

Vice Ganda, who took up Bachelor of Science in Political Science course, found the UAAP stage as the perfect opportunity to speak directly to a young audience.

“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.

Vice Ganda headlined the first-ever UAAP Kickoff Show, a spectacle likened to the Super Bowl halftime show and the UEFA Champions League Final opener, with fellow Tamaraw Gloc-9 and a star-studded cast of performers joining her onstage.

Among other performers were the Babydolls, Kyle Echarri, Maki, Darren Espanto and BINI members Mikha and Maloi.