My long overdue post about Kina Grannis Live in Manila. Lol According to my iPad's notes, I finished the blog on May 9. But I've been too busy and I feel bad for neglecting it already. Also, seems like I prefer writing from scratch. I am not feeling these new changes here in Blogspot and it made me think to be more of a picture blogger, meaning less words than the usual. We'll see.
Anywho, even though my post is late for 4 months, it doesn't mean that I'm already over with the Kina Grannis Live in Manila fever :) Just a recap to those who failed to attend, her concert was postponed because it was timingly, exams week/graduation month. But the good news is, she has now a lot more reasons to come back in the future :)
The concert turned out to be an unplugged show, where she performed 3-4 songs acoustically in an intimate receiving area of Meralco Theatre. She still performed even though it was already considered as a free show to the ticket holders because of refunds and all.
To make her first visit in the Philippines a memorable one, fans prepared two surprises for her. Bushes and birds cut outs for In Your Arms and a puzzle-like huge Kina drawing :) See below for the vids!
It probably didn't end up like what we all expected but hey, its definitely more intimate, upclose, and personal with Kina. I wasn't expecting she was funny and makulit too :)
She's extraordinary and one of a kind (not just as) singer/songwriter but as a person a well. She's passionate with her craft and has a big heart. No wonder why she's so successful. She just recently started a "Run Team Kina" movement which raised $60,000 for cancer patients.
First time to hear about Kina? Well, what are you waiting for? Look her up on YT! :)
Kina and Ayes (Photo by Jude Ng)
Kina with Soulmanna Live and PH team (Photo by Jude Ng)
Thanks Soulmanna Live, Wenona, and Pauline for giving me the opportunity to meet and see Kina Grannis live! Another dream come true for me. Magic 89.9 and Mellow 94.7 for taking the chance of playing an independently produced songs in their stations.
**I originally wrote a lot longer post. Haha. Ok, this is the start of the less words, more pictures thing. :) **
I feel so honored to be able to meet two of the most well-known artists on YouTube world, Wesley Chan and Philip Wang of the famous, "Stanger Again" film makers, Wong Fu Productions!
This is pretty new to me cus I am more of a music fan but Wong Fu made a big exemption. They shared to their fans how did their "relationship" started and how it brought them to the spotlight through YouTube, showed some of their popular videos and music video they produced like David Choi's, and allowed their fans and aspiring film makers to ask questions and tips.
This show just made me realized that I've never been more comfortable than being in one venue with complete strangers yet we share the same passion. We sing the same song. we cheer everytime a YT shows up on their vids, we relate to what they meant when they say something.
Here are the pics I took.. I was seated 3-4th row from the stage :)
Cute Wesley Chan pic. Caught him looking directly in my camera. Yihee :)
Soulmanna Live Team:
My pics with the Wong Fu Productions!! Yey!
Big thanks to Soulmanna Live for bringing them and inviting us in their show. If you want to know the latest updates about their upcoming shows, make sure to check out their links here:
To start this blog. Funny story how I got the tickets. Days before the date, I already decided not to attend John Mayer's concert because of the unreasonable expensive tickets even if I want to. VIP was around 10,000 pesos, Gold was around 7,000 and so so. But then last Sept 26, I read from MMI's twitter page that they are having a contest to win John Mayer tickets. The conditions were invite friends to follow, ask them to tweet that you are the one who asked them to follow, and the top mentioned name will win. I was like, "Shit, I'm so going to win this thing. Gotta tell them and ask for help!" Then Sept 28, they announced that the contest is extended. First, it was okay.. more time to recruit people. Sept 29, they announced again 'due to public demand' that contest is extended til October 1 (concert day). Haha. Everyone who helped me was so pissed off. It's quite funny too. So anyway, by around 12 noon they announced the winners and I won two tickets! Thanks to Kuya Jude for texting me! :) Gave one ticket to Tere because she totally deserved it. As I remember, we were already talking about John Mayer's concert since April.
So, about the concert. It was a WET AND WILD experience! It was pouring rain, everybody's WET and still singing along with John Mayer! It was definitely one of the best concerts I have ever attended since my first concert experience. Okay I cant even describe the feeling because goosebumps all over me. Every person present in the concert -WILD. WILD even the boys! Haha. He knows how to win the crowd's hearts. John Mayer is a talented and solid performer. Sexy even not trying to be sexy. And of course, it's not a total concert without John Mayer's guitar solo parts and the famous "guitar face" :)
During the concert, I wasn't able to sing along because I was amazed, smiling, dancing in the rain the whole time. Except for "Your Body Is A Wonderland". Its mandatory to sing along in that song right?! Haha. Also, I'm so happy that JM chose "Edge of Desire" as the encore song. For the past weeks, I've been listening to that song because it speaks what my current heart says. I was teary-eyed for that moment. It was unbelievably magical.
John Mayer's Live in Manila Set List:
1. Vultures
2. No Such Thing
3. Ain't No Sunshine ( Bill Withers Cover)
4. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room
5. Perfectly Lonely
6. Your Body is a Wonderland
7. Stop This Train
8. Heartbreak Warfare
9. Who Says
10. Gravity
11. Why Georgia
12. Do You Know Me
13. Half of my Heart & Don't Stop Believing ( Journey Cover)
After concert, I was able to hang out again with the Alcoholics. Haha. Kuya Jude, Tere, Jjoe, Jackie and Jown since they also watched the show. Definitely a great night with them.
Finally, thanks to everyone who helped me win the tickets. i believe that its around 170 people and more. Special thanks to Yusy - for the Team Ayes account. Vince - for the cat and dog tweet. Tere - for the Owl City U peeps. Ned and Jezeil - for their followers, Adi - for the spamming and Jaymie - for being my twin sister, plus Marie Digby - for the tweet. Also Music Management International for the tickets :)
"All i ever wanted was just a signed CD and watch her perform live, but it was more than that. much much more.."
Writing a blog about this, is kinda hard for me to sum up all the experiences i had for this week. It was like literally living in a dream. Dont have plans about blogging but i think some people are actually interested on what and how i feel. So lets start this craziness. haha
Okay, First off, was at The Podium.. I dont care if i went there alone. It was a great pick on not bring anyone because i met A LOT of new friends who share the same interest as i do with this singer-songwriter. I was just seated there.. waiting for Marié Digby.. nervous. Seriously, i was starstruck when i saw her. I cant believe she's really here, in my country, doing promo's for her Concert at NBC Tent. Had a Meet and Greet / CD signing session. All the things im going to say is already planned (i even brought my lil notepad so i wont forget anything). The very first written there was how to pronounce my name.. As soon as i got to the stage, surprisingly she said "oooh.. you... ayes?! i thought you wouldn't make it!" yeah, i know. cant believe she remembers me from myspace. lol take note, she got the right pronunciation of my name! haha. We hugged for more than 10 seconds and yeah talked about emails and meeting again. Soon as i got off the stage Ms. Choy from MCA Universal Music talked to me and asked for my contact number since Marié was asking for it. Also random thing happened my friend Jeff, i asked him to keep my CDs first because my bag was too small.. So yeah he placed the CDs inside a paper bag. and you know what? that paper bag was given to Marié Digby and my CDs are actually in there. We had late realizations that i just left my CDs with Marié.. LOL but it was awmazing. :)
Second, Saturday's event at NBC Tent. All i ever dreamed of was watching Marié Digby perform live with her own songs. THATS IT. Im not disappointed at all. I feel so grateful to be one of the people to hear new stuff LIVE! There were VIP tables in front which celebrities and high profile people are seated who's just there to get drunk. No wonder why Marié went off the stage and joins the crowd and held so many hands! And my niece was one of the lucky ones who held her hand. But of course bouncers came to control the crowd. lol We are seated 2nd row center right. its so surreal. While she was singing, i was thinking too that.. "this singer, songwriter, awmazing person, right there. few feet away from me, singing her heart out. when i used to watch her in youtube." After the 2 hour concert, it was the Autograph Session. Since i left my CDs with her, i have to buy another album so that Mikha will have the Meet & Greet passes. So we both meet Marié Digby at the concert. Whats more interesting happened is that the people i met at The Podium was there too and be able to recognized each other. We had a late dinner together and shared the joy we felt about the concert. lol im wearing Digbyholics shirt. Priceless. Marié Digby is EPIC. Cant even put it in right words..
Third and last, Shangrila Hotel. So, Saturday morning (before the concert) i was at school taking my exam for EDN class and noticed an unknown number calling me. i failed to answer the call. As soon as i finished the exam, i texted the number and the conversation goes like this:
ayes : who's this? unknown number: this is Choy from MCA, did you received my text yday? ayes : nope. my phone was turned off for the whole day. what is it about ma'am? unknown number: hi ayes! this is Choy from MCA music.. lunch with Marié on Sunday 1pm at EDSA Shangrila Hotel. You and Jeff can bring one person each :) see you there!
i was stunned! i never thought they were serious about texting me. haha So the next day (which is today!) Ms. Choy and i were texting for updates and yes, I met Marié Digby for the third time. We had an awesome lunch with her and talked about a lot of stuff. My friends are not saying anything so i just kept on talking and talking! I almost run out of english!! Nosebleed. haha I was seated next to Marié Digby then Jeff, Jaymie and Roxy was seated in front of us. We talked about a bunch of stuff! not going to details but a lot! I was surpised that Marié brought her camera out of her bag and took a picture of Jeff and Jaymie together, Roxy solo. and since im seated next to her she took a our picture together :) I also bought her Lengua De Gato and Dried Mangoes. with her is Ms. Choy and Sir Roland from MCA Universal Music, A guy from Hollywood Records, and her two bandmates. But we kind of have our own little world there talking with each other. We had a 2 hour exclusive late lunch with her. Its UNREAL. I tweeted her before that my personal request is Unfold. There's just too much of that song. I bet only Marié knows how much tears i've lost because of that song. She said to me the sweetest thing ever.. "ayes, i was thinking about you while playing Unfold." (teary eyed now) Oh and she returned my CDs left in the paper bag. haha i also let her sign my Unfold and Second Home albums.
I've got so many things that i really wanted to say about this experience, but really its hard. haha so hard to put the joy in words. On my way home, i know it sounds cheesy but i totally cried. All i ever wanted was just a signed CD and watch her perform live, but it was more than that. much much more.. i never thought she was this serious about hanging out with her.
Thank you soooo much Marié Digby. You're so different from other singer/songwriters. No wonder why i supported your music this much. Im your fan obviously and most definitely a friend. i had the longest, rock-est, awmazing-est week ever. Yep folks, you just witnessed a dream that actually came true. :)
and how can i ever forget this, thanks to my sisters who's been uber supportive. after all, without them, no blog about this experience. im really lucky to have em. you know, we live in a different countries (literally) but it feels like they are just here with me. never get tired re-telling the story over and over again. love them. :)
Marié Digby singing Unfold Live at NBC Tent:
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