Host De La Salle University opened Season 73 with the theme “Where Heroes Are Made.” And what better way to show this than with “superheroes.”
Instead of the usual parade of muses and players, the basketball team captains marched alongside the superheroes from each school.
Acclaimed television fantaserye costume designer Noel Flores took a month-and-a half to create the costumes which were basically the school mascots turned into superhero characters.
“We generally used rubber and special fabrics for the costumes,” Flores said. “Nahirapan ako sa lahat ng costumes. Even the one for UP, it looks so simple but it actually took six revisions.”
But what intrigued the audience more were the people inside the superhero costumes who weren’t revealed until the opening ceremonies.
Yahoo! Southeast Asia got a peek at the costumes and the superheroes in the flesh.
School: National University
Costume: Metal Warrior Bulldog
Name: Ken Baloaloa
Year and Course: Fourth year, Commerce
Interests: Volleyball, basketball
What’s a hero for you?
“Being a hero is being a role model to others so that they will follow your good example.”
School: Far Eastern University
Costume: Metal Warrior Tamaraw
Name: JR Labrador
Year and Course: Fourth year, Education
Interests: Basketball
What’s a hero for you?
“Being a hero is being able to help people in need.”
School: University of the Philippines
Costume: Cape Fairy Maroon
Name: Klaudine Legaspi
Year and Course: Second year, Tourism
Interests: Training, studying, swimming
What’s a hero for you?
“Every day, I can be a hero. It’s helping the community in your own way.”
School: University of Santo Tomas
Costume: Mutant Tigress
Name: Jade Zafra
Year and Course: Third year, Journalism
Interests: Taekwondo, writing, rowing
What’s a hero for you?
“Being a hero is being responsible for everything that you do.”
School: University of the East
Costume: Mythological Warrior
Name: Gerald Diokno
Year and Course: Fourth year, Electrical Engineering
Interests: Taekwondo
What’s a hero for you?
“Being a hero is being there for someone who needs help.”
School: Adamson University
Costume: Mutant Falcon
Name: Justin Deans
Year and Course: First year, Business and Financial Marketing
Interests: Basketball, going to the gym
What’s a hero for you?
“Being a hero is a great thing. Everyone looks up to you. It’s a great opportunity.”
School: Ateneo de Manila University
Costume: Mutant Eagle
Name: Jacobo Lorenzo
Year and Course: Second year, Interdisciplinary Studies
Interests: Football
What’s a hero for you?
“Just do good in your own way.”
School: De La Salle University
Costume: Archer (“Batman with a green arrow,” the designer says)
Name: Enchong Dee
Year and Course: Graduate, Developmental Studies
Interests: Swimming, track, biking, water polo
What’s a hero for you?
“Being a hero is to be able to affect the lives of other people in a good way.”
All the representatives were chosen by their school’s Athletics Department except for Enchong Dee. La Salle originally asked him to do the oath taking but the job was ultimately given to Simon Atkins.
“I asked them what else I can do and then they brought up the superheroes… I suggested myself!” he said with a laugh.
