On Concerts and Closure

(Originally posted at my multiply site Aug 30, '09 1:33 AM)

Because I vowed to myself that I will write about this tonight and I'm on a pact to keep my promises to myself starting today..

The first concert I ever watched, as far as my memory serves me, was Freestyle's Live concert at the Araneta Coliseum. I watched it with Evie then, it was fourth year high school I think. I can still remember stretching the truth to tell my mother that we'll be watching with Jie and her family when we were really not. We saw them though for just a bit after the concert. It was a last minute thing, a spur of the moment decision. Two general ad tickets later and really crappy and uncomfortable seats, we realized we had enough money to pay for the next level of seats.. Even two levels higher on the scale in fact. But the thing we realized as we enjoyed the concert was that we didn't need to have the greatest seats in the world, it was enough to just be there. It was really funny though how our section was noticeably louder during the time that Andrew E. performed. But then, "Humanap Ka Ng Panget," is a definite classic. Of course, along with "Before I Let You Go.." which will forever be true and "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?" with matching fans' screaming after every line. At the end of the night though, I went home worried as I walked to my cousins' place near Araneta and Evie made her way home alone and my mother found out the truth. I could never tell a lie after that night. My mother made me realize how incredibly dangerous it was for us to have done that and especially Evie who went home alone. In those days, cellphones weren't the norm yet for us and I had to wait till the morning to call her if she got home. I remember tossing in my makeshift bed, uncomfortable in the clothes I had worn the entire day, praying, repeatedly and fervently, that if my friend makes it home, that I will never lie again. I can honestly say that after that night I could never tell a decent lie. I used to pride myself in knowing how to stretch the truth as life necessitates sometimes, but since then, it was always obvious and I had always had the urge to just say what I had to say regardless of the consequences. Honesty gets me in trouble these days. But might as well not have anything left unsaid.

The only pic I can find of me with Evie

The next concert I went to was during my first year college days, again at the Araneta Coliseum. Our block handlers and then-future org mates scored free tickets to 98 degrees' concert and of course, I went. College meant more freedom and my mother had only one rule - that someone will see to it that I get home. Thanks Chin for this (and for many other instances, past, present, and future, that I am forever grateful as you very well know). You might not remember it anymore but I hitched a ride with you and your friend. I remember rushing home after class to leave all my drafting things and take a bath and eat dinner. I have always loved the rush of going from one place to another with not a moment to even think twice. Even up to now, this is one of my favorite feelings in the world - the grabbing everything and going. And so I went, I took the jeep to Cubao via Kalayaan Ave. Cubao was my "turf" so to speak. We lived there once, we went there always. I used to know it like the back of my hand. I wasn't allowed to take the cab yet then so jeepney it was. I close my eyes now and distinctly remember the feel of the wind as the jeep passed the "bridge." I remember almost running after I got off at Ali-Mall because as always, yes even then, I was kinda late. Everyone was already there I think. I do not remember though who we were exactly. All I remember is that at the end of the night, I had fun. And that "This Gift" by 98 degrees will always be one of those songs that I wish someone, someday, will dedicate to me. (I chose dedicate because sometimes wishing someone to actually sing might potentially ruin the song.)

Old school Chin and Katsy

The next concerts I went to are in random order. I really couldn't remember their chronology anymore. There is one common factor in them all, one person actually.. For the longest time, I had always gone to concerts with Clarisse. (Should I start calling you Twinkle now? Everyone calls you Twinkle except me. I remain as calling you Cla. Even FB calls you Twinkle.) We watched Side A, Freestyle, and MYMP. I remember sitting behind the stage during this concert. And thanking them because one of them sang a song facing us at the back. All classics, all sentimental mode. We have always loved them. "A Little Bit" for some reason no one else but me knows will always have a special place in my heart. For what never was, it will always be there.

Another concert we went to was the first concert of the Pussycat Dolls, once again held at the Araneta Coliseum. (Seems like I really love Araneta Coliseum. You would barely find me traipsing all the way to MOA concert grounds or Fort until way later. I still have a reluctance even up to now.) I remember Cla and I buying various stuff from Gateway because of their promo for discounted tickets. And I remember winning general admission tickets from some contest that I gave to my guy friends from college because I was sure that they would appreciate it. This was also the night that Mark had his picture taken with Roxanne because Ron just didn't have the guts. LOL. Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of the said picture. Cla and I vowed while watching, that we will watch them again if ever they have another concert in Manila but of course this didn't happen due to extreme scheduling conflict. The one night they were here, we both had three different places to go to, each. "Don't Cha" will always be remembered as dedicated to someone though. Haha.

Classic Cla and Katsy pic

Another one (and Cla says this is counted because they performed and entertained us) was MYMP and Aiza live at Metro Bar. It was her birthday celebration so we got in for free. Yay thanks Tito! Loved MYMP as always. First tasted Smirnoffs. Hated the heels I wore then, which I still have up to now but never actually use because they hurt my feet but are way too cute to just give away. Loved Aiza's rendition of Runaway. I said to myself then that I would have that as my wedding song (Aiza's version and not The Corrs') but of course Judy Ann and Ryan beat me to it.. Along with hundreds of others who used that song as their wedding song. LOL. Let's have some originality people. Let's go for some a bit unknown song like Maria Mena's "You are the Only One" or Duffy's "Oh Boy." LOL. Or better yet, let's just simply move on.

Group pic @ Metro Bar

The next series of concerts are random events that may not even count as concerts. Of course there were the college concerts, the ones we may actually have performed in. Haha. Once I watched MYMP again at Bahay ng Alumni. Like Cla said, was I a fan? Hahaha. I just don't think it proper not to mention this concert as I suddenly remembered it. What use is a documentation not properly done? To accidentally forget is different from intentional ignorance.

Another noted one, and this G, I'm sure you remember even if technically this doesn't count as a concert. (Not unless we count sitting outside the UP Fair at Sunken Garden till the dawn breaks because we were too cheap to actually pay the already quite cheap tickets because we can honestly hear them outside.) This was that night we accidentally saw Sugarfree hanging out in the shadows of the BA building and we urged you badly to get their autograph because we knew how much you liked them. (Yes, we knew how badly you liked them ever since you started singing "Mariposa" in the Arki Melchor lobby and we all started to not quite like the song anymore. Hehe. Peace!) This was also that night, that morning, that night, that I remember promises meant to be broken.

Let's bring in Anna into the mix shall we? We were supposed to watch Christina Aguilera at the Fort but we never went. I had to note this because that night, now, we both look back, and this I'm sure we do (because we really do), is pivotal. Pivotal in what way, in what sense, only we know. Different reasons. But this was the concert that never was. Quite apt. Quite the same.

Free dessert, at least

On another note, here's a concert I watched with Anna and her cousin - Eraserheads the Final Set at the MOA concert grounds. And yes, it was free. :) Last minute thing as always and a whole lot of memories with this one. Yes I have a girl crush on Angel Aquino hehehe. I also remember dessert after. And fulfilling "professional" obligations beforehand by going to the furniture fair at SMX. "Fine Time" - this I think we don't have. Oh, and I remember splitting some Burger King meal to save money.

Katsy and Anna @ MOA grounds

Finally, the last concert I watched, just last Friday - ASAP Sessionistas Live at the Araneta Coliseum. This was the first concert we watched without having a ticket beforehand. (Well, except for the first ever Freestyle one because that was a major spur of the moment thing.) We only decided at the start of the week that we will watch because of some previous scheduling conflict which we eventually resolved. Pat went to the office, I had my first dinner as we ate at Five Cows (thanks Pat!) before he went to rush off to Hiyas ng Arki to pass his crown as then first runner up LOL. Ariel and I then went to Araneta while Cla was stuck in the MRT for almost two hours. Waaaa.. See Cla? I don't like Ayala station. Haha. Ariel and I somehow attracted the attention of a group of people who offered two of their tickets at a discounted price. We wanted to validate before buying so we ended up with him already inside, on the other side of the gate, and me outside, waiting for Cla. Thank goodness Cla texted, because honestly I didn't think of it, that I should go inside and she'll just text when she's there so I can go out to get her. Haha. I really didn't think of this one. Ariel and I ended up watching like "preso" the first two opening numbers of the Sessionistas. Richard Poon was the first solo act, and I beg to differ that "Please Release Me, Let Me Go" (or whatever the title of that song was) is not my song. You are wrong my friend. LOL. Cla finally arrived and missed just Richard Poon's set, for which I know she is grateful. Aiza's was one of the best, of course. I'm tempted to actually buy her Live album if only I'm not sponsoring my sister for the next few days. More group performances interspersed with solo acts - Sitti, Duncan, MYMP, Nina. I hope I didn't miss anyone. We had fun even if we were seated at an awkward location, with the huge screen behind us, thus causing some sort of stiff neck syndrome as we watched. Gary V. performed which was an ultimate bonus. Like he said in one of his songs, "Di Na Natuto." Now that one's my song.. Juris also rocked out to pop songs instead of their usual acoustics - she sang Alanis' "You Ought to Know" which is one of my favorite songs in the whole wide world. Haha. She did get to sing some of their other noted songs when she had a song-off with Nina near the end. Loved the entire concert. Loved my second dinner after at Inasal Chicken Bacolod. Urgh. Must watch eating habits. Couldn't resist chicken skin which for me may might as well be called some time death on a platter. Searched for dessert (not cake, because we already had cake at first dinner) at around midnight but couldn't find any. Headed home still in high spirits though with the usual wrap up talk of what is and what will be and the whole "we have to do this again soon."

Cla and Katsy @ Sessionistas' Concert

So that was it. This is it. I end this night at an hour when I'm supposed to be sleeping already for a good three hours. I end this night in high spirits though as I have successfully recalled the concerts I have been to and the people who have always been there with me, whether in the actual concert or in the periphery. A tribute as always to the never ending music we all make, together and otherwise. If I have missed anything, or if there's a detail I failed to mention, it's dawn dears, please forgive me as I get tired too even if I'm writing. And yes, I have finally written again after quite a while. After a few unsuccessful attempts (I have quite a few drafts unpublished), I have finally finished an entire piece of writing. As for closure, I close because I have written. Finally.