Sarah Geronimo speaks out against corruption at UAAP Season 88 opening: ‘Tama na!’

“Tama na!”

This was the statement delivered by pop icon Sarah Geronimo as she took a stand against corruption during her performance at the UAAP Season 88 opening ceremony on Friday, held at the University of Santo Tomas.

In a pause before the bridge of her hit song “Ikot-Ikot,” Geronimo spoke out about state of the country.

“Parang panloloko sa bansa natin, pinaikot-ikot lang tayo. Tama na!” she said, before resuming her performance.

At another point in her set, the UST Education High School product encouraged the audience to keep their hope for the nation alive.

“Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman natin na napakaraming nangyari na kaguluhan, kasinungalingan, panloloko ang ginagawa sa ating bansa,” she said. 

“Let us all be reminded na kayo -- I don’t want to put the pressure on you -- ang ating mga kabataan, kayo ang pag-asa ng ating bansa at ating bayan. One day, kayo ang magbabago ng bulok na sistema ng bansang ito.”

“Huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Kumapit tayo sa hope at magtiwala—patuloy na magtiwala—na balang araw, mababago rin ang bulok na sistemang ‘yan, at uunlad ang ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas,” she added.

“Patuloy nating ipagdasal ang ating bansa.”

Geronimo headlined the concert alongside local acts Rob Deniel, Earl Agustin, and Lola Amour.

The performance took place just days before anti-corruption rallies set to be held in Manila and other parts of the country amid reports of corruption in government infrastructure projects, especially those intended for flood control.

Earlier, Filipino Olympian and pole vaulter EJ Obiena led the torch bearers relay and cauldron lighting to open the season.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News