Galvanized into ACTION: Concert Scenes

Recently, I made a promise to attend any possible concert of my absolute favorite artist and never miss anything.

When they announced this earlier this year, I knew I had to attend.

On the day of the ticket sale, nasa byahe kaming papuntang Zambales. I knew I had to rush kasi 12 NN ang opening ng ticket selling. Pero sa Subic, nakakuha ako ng ticket, pero hindi sa concert ni Yeng. Violation ticket sa LTO. Maling liko, aminadong mali, nag-panic lang.

Anyway, by 12 NN, nasa byahe pa rin. I'm panicking kasi baka maubusan, pero confident naman ako na may matitira pa. But when we arrived sa resort, I was devastated kasi nag-announce sila ng SOLD OUT.

I'm happy for Yeng. I didn't know na ganito karami yung bibili even in the first few hours of the ticket selling. But I'm sad kasi di ako nakabili.

I felt like I didn't know how to go on with the day. May violation ticket ako, tapos di ako nakabili ng ticket na gusto ko. Then, nag-refresh-refresh ako. Biglang nagkakaroon ng slots. Nag-try ako bumili, pero nagfa-fail multiple times. I'm getting hopeless.

I tried typing fast para ma-secure agad, pero hopeless.

Then, the one final time...

Success.

I didn't tell my wife immediately.

I secured 2 VIP tickets.

Worth ng buong sahod ko sa first work ko.

On the Day of the Concert

On the day of the concert, maulan. May pasok pa ako. I'm working while on the road, tapos si Jas nag-drive.

With Yeng Constantino playing in the background, we were talking about many things about Yeng, about her songs, and about how long I've been a fan. If you checked my blog, you will see how many times Yeng got featured or mentioned in some way, but my feeling of being a fan grew stronger recently.

Before, I wanted to attend her concerts, but if it's not possible, it's okay. I move on. But this time, I need to attend, and it must be VIP. I became a top fan on Facebook. I joined groups, communicated in chats, and watched every single interview possible.

We were late at the soundcheck because we got lost. When we arrived, we located the merch section to get our freebies and ID. Iihi na ako nun, pero sumilip ako saglit sa loob kasi naririnig ko na yung boses ni Yeng, and she's doing soundcheck and communicating with the fans.

She's so kind and genuine.

She was crying during her songs, overwhelmed by the support, and it's still just soundcheck.

The first impression is, I'm overwhelmed by the design of the stage. It's a jeepney style, really colorful. It feels odd, but it grew on me.

I realized that this will not be a typical concert. This one has a theme, and they invested in it and submerged themselves into the theme. Alam mong pinag-isipan, tapos hindi weird tignan.

Ang galing din na may kasamang kabayo pa talaga yung jeep stage. Tapos malaking plate number ni Yeng. She sang several songs for the soundcheck, and there's this particular song that she cried during and got me teary-eyed.

It felt like she's talking to me. I'm glad to be a fan. I'm a fan of Yeng.

I love the song Kung Uulitin. It's very strong and a passionate one.

It's sad that it did not make it to the main concert, but it makes this moment special, intimate with the fans, with no pressure on her part, and just a genuine performance really dedicated to the fans.

At this time, I knew I bought the wrong phone. I should have gotten a Pro Max version for a good zoom. But we were so close.

After the soundcheck, we went outside to get some food and drinks so we could settle inside uninterrupted.

The crowd started to come in. The ambiance became strong. The staff was preparing, and we also heard her songs playing in the background.

We watched endless promotional materials. Then, some opening performances from IÚNO band and Sassa Dagdag, and then the performance began.

Just before starting, they showed us a really cool video showing Yeng's journey. It's really animated, showing her different eras.

Then, a guitar riff and show-off.

Then, she appeared.

The crowd growls.

The lights flashed with a more than perfect opening line:

"Ako ang bida ngayon."

What a way to open. The perfect song to time in and start her big night.

Then she sang the favorites. The songs felt different because she changed their renditions. It's an old song, but it's refreshed.

Her vocals are still amazing.

She's the pop-rock royalty for a reason.

What a total performer.

She has several guests.

We had Angeline with At Ang Hirap, then Erik Santos with Paano Ba'ng Magmahal. This one is really good. I enjoyed Erik's performance.

And KZ with Toyo. Didn't know the song, buttttt KZ is a total performer.

After that, they joined in as a group, and it's a beautiful mess.

Then she rode a small jeepney.

We actually saw this outside. We thought it's a prop for taking pictures, but it's an actual jeepney. What a crazy idea.

Then it was driven around the streets that are named after her songs while singing B.A.B.A.Y and T.A.N.G.A.

THEN WE GOT THIS CLOSE-UP SHOT!

The closest we can get.

The Soundtracks

Then we get to the soundtracks.

Himig ng Pag-ibig for Dyosa, starring Anne Curtis.

Habangbuhay, the OG wedding song hahaha, from Kasal Kasali Kasalo, starring Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo.

Sigabo from a recent teleserye and her version of Sabihin Mo Na.

Then, a transition.

Then an intro, a collab that I didn't expect but definitely one of my favorites.

Chito Miranda enters the scene.

Pangarap Lang Kita.

My heart melted. I get to see this performance live. I love how Yeng did the second voice and high notes on this, even in the Inuman Session.

I love the session in between, the breaks to include the messages.

It made it personal.

We got to see Nobita with Ikaw Lang.

Sana by I Belong to the Zoo.

El Manu - Tahanan.

Then, one of my jams:

Siguro!

Transitions to Ang Pag-ibig.

Chinito

Another guest?

For Chinito, as I watched, there's a noticeable gap while Yeng is performing.

She's dancing alone, but it feels like she should have someone beside her, and we all knew who he was, but he's not there.

A perfect way to tease the audience.

We know he's there, but where is he?

After the 2nd chorus, someone appeared on the bench props, holding a newspaper and hiding his face.

We all knew who he was.

Then silence.

The song stopped.

The introduction.

Enchong Dee.

Then, a really intimate and new composition for God.

A really powerful one. Can't wait for it to be released.

Then, Ikaw.

At this point, we're nearing the end.

Then, the famous Hawak Kamay.

This is a masterpiece.

I stopped listening to this song on demand, but of course, I occasionally hear it. I knew it from the heart.

But Yeng is singing this for 20 years or even more. There's so many renditions and different versions, but this one is just a moving artwork.

It's a masterpiece on its own.

Everything works together, a new sound for the same old song.

It's haunting.

It's astonishing.

It's breathtaking.

If there was one song that I'm sure that everyone will sing along to, it's this song.

But to my surprise, we did not.

We were in awe of this wonderful performance.

The crowd is silent.

I'm glad I'm here. I'm glad I witnessed this live.

You just have to be there.

I'm a bit emotional for some reason, and no, as the chorus arrived, everyone was silent.

Then, we hit the finale.

We all knew that this is the last song.

It's a celebration.

It's a song made by Yeng for the Yengsters early in her career.

And she made it extra special.

This time, you had to sing along.

I had to stop recording at this time to sing my heart out.

It was wrong timing because what she did to the song and the crowd blew me away.

There are a bunch of recordings online.

I must say that it's beautiful.

The Photoshoot

After the song, Yeng exited the arena.

As the crowd started to leave, we were left with some updates from the security about a photoshoot with Yeng.

We got in line.

Too bad, phones were not allowed.

Jassie and I got separated because it should only be 10 people in line. Unfortunately, the line got cut off after me.

But when I was about to take my turn, they suddenly miscalculated.

Now, I'm the first in line.

Meaning, I get to sit with Yeng.

BUT I WAS BULLIED BY MY WIFE AND SHE TOOK MY LOVELY SPOT.

How dare she.

I spent all my money for this.

I'm the Yengster, and I wasn't even able to sit beside her. 😭😂

Then, after the shoot, I'm being rushed by her to go away. We were being pushed by the organizers to move along.

But I'm happy because I got to shake her hand.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

I still won. 😂

It went by just like that.

This year culminated with an incredible blessing. A baby boy named Kean. Before that, allow me to look back:

Coffee with TFs

First time eating at Mary Grace. Very tito and tita

The biannual Prayer and Fasting. First time to fully participate as a married couple. We asked God for many things. Particularly many miracles for this year.

Kuya Allan's Birthday. We were invited to eat out at Manam's. Suprisingly, we are with Pastor Jun and his wife

Of course, my mom's birthday at Max's.

Starting off the new month by going on a trip to Batangas for a child dedication, this time, we brought Shiro. It's tough leaving him at home alone when we're out for a really long time. It was fun and tiring. Bringing a dog along is a real hard work. You have to guide them at all times, you don't want your dog to bite or to be bitten by strays (Or kids :x), you have to feed them, play with them, and clean them after they dig every square inch of the ground.