Part 2 of ONE OK ROCK Live in Manila post-event is right here! MAN! I AM STILL NOT OVER ALL OF THIS! IS THERE A REWIND BUTTON IN LIFE SO I CAN KEEP REWINDING BACK TO JANUARY 19! WHERE!!!!!
-um…- Before I get on to the spiels of me shouting all of the injustice that there is no rewind button in life, lets get on to the entry shall we? We are now in part 2 of the part series for ONE OK ROCK Live in Manila!!! (Seems I am breaking down the third post into parts XDDD)
Ikuzooooooo!!
Disclaimer: (Since Chari the Neko of Hello Caris keeps telling me to add this for everyone’s health), Some serious words and fan love here. LOL. You have been warned. (is this ok Chari chari?)
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After a ramen lunch and mini-shopping with my partner-in-crime and all around funny friend JumiLOVE (enunciating this because she keeps calling me in my full name for the lolz of everything), we trekked to SM Mall of Asia Arena to check on the crowd. However, the barricades to the holding area for VIP 1, 2, 3, Lower Boxes were all blocked so we just headed out to the separate holding area for PULP Royalty holders. I had to change clothes because from all that walking, commuting and all the other madness, you need to be fresh to see the boys! T_T THIS IS IT!!!! Thankfully a Starbucks branch is nearby so I managed to cool down and change.
While we sorted out in Starbucks, we saw my good friends Kim Gill from Davao (who gave me some goodies from Davao and Toru’s gift. Domo and aishiteru Kim) and Kat (whom I met a week before when I was sorting out my final preps). As they already had their straps, we decided to walk to the holding area and found we were somewhere across the line already. LOL for that (perfect for studying though). Let these photos and their captions tell you all about what happened.
This is my very gorgeous friend from Davao Kim, whom I have to say is one of my besties for this concert. Like Jumi, i clicked so well with Kim since the first time we chatted. She is also the number 1 victim when I started the Fans on ONE OK ROCK: The Interviews series when I thought of doing it out of the blue.. She is currently one of the admins of the Davao chapter for the Philippines’ ONE OK ROCKers group in Facebook!Starting line!!! Tag your names here girls because you guys are so many. i didn’t catch the name of the others though T_T Gomeeeen!!!Rock it like ONE OK ROCK girls!!!This is Ysa. I met her actually prior to me meeting up with Jumi while i was hanging out at the VIP waiting area. She is also the founder of Amuse PH (hope you guys get accredited soon! Sign me up for events like OOR next time XDDD love to cover them) and one of the known bloggers putting up the Kawaii.PH banner to the country! Next time, you better join us Kaila!Here’s me with my ever crazy friend Jumi, whom I met in the wee hours Pulp Royalty was announced for ONE OK ROCK Live in Manila. We clicked so fast at those hours and lo and behold, we became close friends. And she also became my key to PULP Royalty. She’s falling in line first thing PR is released in Part 2 (but of course, this one also aims for the interviews, I’ll work on that soon) Shame I didn’t change my gift at the last minute. Sigh. I’ll give her that thing for her birthday or something. Something yellow. (Minion? Hahaha)Here are the other PULP Royalties! I didn’t catch the other names sadly. Fail on my end on that.This is Sheen. One of the admins of our mini PR group in FB. I didn’t get a photo of Mai unfortunately T_T (If i did, do tell me Mai) She wrote this super cool article in Rappler as well about ONE OK ROCK (you can check it here!).OOTD for the concert. I got this a week before the con. Jermaine helped me pick this up XD Yes, I’m wearing my second most prized possession regarding OOR. Its currently resting from all the jumping and stomping from the concert. It has survived though and now definitely dirty!This is Mr. Chicken which Ardi of Asterysk brought along for the ride. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to pose with it with the band due to the rules. Sigh. I keep telling him to just throw it to the band but he said no. Quite attached he is with this guy. Hahaha!When all of us are in, we started lining up for the meet and greet XD We got in around 4 ish (That was what Rose said… hahaha).Its kinda cool to see this ticket saying “PHP 0”. Definitely getting another one of these in Part 2.
As we got in the arena, the first thing that greeted us was Taka’s powerful voice as the band practices ‘Last Dance’. If we weren’t feeling the chills already in relation to meeting them, we did now because the music was too raw, too live for us to deny it. I personally could hear emotions pouring out as he sang in the background while waiting in line. Normally, if you listen to him singing it on audio, you could feel the emotion but never to the degree that ‘Hey, this is what I wanted you guys to hear and what I feel about it too.’ But, as they kept rehearsing that song, you could feel the sense that the band wanted to show us that this live means something for them too and they wanted us to feel everything as the music is played. It was dedication at its finest.
I have seen several documentaries of the band and I know just how much of a perfectionist all four of them could be, especially Taka (it was notable in JinseixKimi= and Zankyou Reference’s documentary films). But you know that – as we could hear him speak to the rest of the band at that time – his comments mirror the desire that he wanted the music to be perfect so he can properly convey the emotions meant for that song and give us one hell of an experience. They also keep repeating ‘Stuck in the Middle’ which is one of my absolute favorites in 35XXXV. You could hear snippets of them trying to correct which parts to tune and Toru or Ryota would give Taka a sample of that tuning.
At this point, we were all lining up to meet the band. Around this time, we were hearing Last Dance.Imagine us like this and then hearing these lyrics… goosebumps!!! Calligraphy by @hellocaris
We had to wait for quite a while before the meet and greet so we just spoke to one another and took photos while listening to Taka giving all of us chills with the soundcheck. At one point, he would just hum a random note as if he is vocalizing for the next round of rehearsals. He would never stop at it, but each time they switched songs, it was becoming more and more fluid that each one of us outside those walls were inwardly screaming for more. It gave me goosebumps to be honest. I tried to gather my thoughts on paper and even take a selfie to tune it out, but wow! I was shaking considerably as the background music was still the Soundcheck.
It was also notable as the soundcheck came by that it doesn’t matter where you hear them – whether live or recorded – it didn’t make a difference at all. It was all raw… all pure… simply Takahiro Moriuchi, Toru Yamashita, Ryota Kohama and Tomoya Kanki at their best. Of course, hearing it being practiced at that point would just make anyone say as well, “Why on earth are we not seeing this live yet?”
This is me with Mishel, whom I met through her sister (hello sister who owes me an explanation on how lucky you are!) and one of the people from the Fans on OOR Series I started. She managed to get the PR ticket weeks before the concert. However, she wasn’t able to join our fun due to her pregnancy. Nevertheless, I’m happy i got to be a part having her wish to see Taka up close happen XD. Congrats on the pregnancy Mishel and hope you liked my little letter to you!Me, Mishel, Jumi, Olga and RoseI am a proud PULP Royalty holder! YES!This is where VIP 1 holders will enter after the meet and greet XDYou can buy some merch here… unfortunately I wasn’t able to buy the beanie since it got sold out so fast! T_T
By around 6 pm, we all starting prepping up as we were given the ground rules as the meet and greet come into place. 1). We can’t hug or kiss the band, as well as selfies and personal autographs (We groaned at that since we wanted to do pretty much all of those) and 2). We can request for a group shot or a solo with the band which will be posted in PULP’s official site in a week. Of course, most of us preferred the solo with the band and that’s what we all got! We also had to put our gifts to the band on a box since we were all in a rush too. Sigh, I wanted to give mine to Taka directly but can’t be helped.
Here’s the guy who took our gifts! One of my crazy friends had to ask the bouncers which ones in the band they liked the most and they said it was Taka or the “Short one” as they say. Yes, Taka may be the smallest but his voice is just huge!
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We were divided in groups of 10 and as my batch came on, we saw the glimpse of the boys for the first time and in close proximity. We were all gushing as we saw the boys in the flesh. (cue in the fangirl screaming here) I practically melted when I saw Taka. I absolutely adore him and his voice (says so much isn’t it of my bias) but the others were also great. Although yes, Taka is the smallest, but his eyes are always filled with passion and sometimes mischief. It fits him very well. He also looked so cute! Some people keep saying he is a bit of a snob, but he doesn’t. Taka was simply Taka. I can’t explain it but he was really someone you can get along with that time if you had the time (I wished i had the time). Toru was an Adonis! He was the tallest one of the four and his smile was melting!!!!! Is this man even one of the youngest of ONE OK ROCK!?!? (Nope, I AM NOT CONVERTING TO HIM!!!). Tomoya, just an epitome of cuteness as he greeted each one of us with his smile. Ryota, it was kinda hard to imagine him without a top but wow, he was really young and cute too. OMG! IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING NOW?!?! (I also did notice Sir Vernon of PULP Live World watching us all, yes, I did wave at this point and you did return it).
When it was my turn… wow, I blanked.
Jermaine warned me about it but heck! What do you say to the men who just changed so much about you in just 15 seconds each!!?? (If they do read this, yes, I blanked and wow, so much to say but so little time. Hope you guys read the letters anyway). Tomoya went first and his smile was just contagious! Managed to did shake my hand with his and told him he is damn cute! Taka, GAAAAH!!!!!! I ALMOST FAILED AT THIS!!! I almost broke my glasses coz of him! But thankfully I caught my glasses and just shook his hand with a hi (I sent him a pm eventually in IG saying how sorry I was hours after the show). Toru, god I remember him saying to me ‘Nice to meet you’. I know he never really speaks in interviews that much but his English was superb! Ryota is cute too and said hi! We posed for the photos and I bowed to them. I think I managed to stutter a thank you to them.
I blanked! I BLANKED!!! GAH! Curses for the short time but wow, it was all real! They were really real! Not just a figment of my imagination, not just a figment of impossibility that you wouldn’t be able to see them up close… Simply WOW! I was blown away! They all look so nice and welcoming, not showing at all in their demeanor that they were these massive rockstars that we have been waiting since forever to see. Humble, smiling and definitely true.
I wondered at that point as I got into the arena hall and held on to my signed poster (Arena was simply huge! Now I know why PULP loves this place so much! Not doubting that anymore!), would I have blanked like that if I scored the interview I wanted with the band? Who knows, but wow indeed! (We will find out in Part 2 – Yes I will work on an interview exclusive with ONE OK ROCK next time! They were the only ones I never gotten a scoop from for this project )
My fellow royals have this to say about the boys and their encounters, as well as their overall experience. I think we can all agree that the band just blew us away and our hearts are now with them wherever they went. Check it below!!!
‘Once you go ONE OK ROCK, you never go back’
“Once you go One Ok Rock, you never go back”… That’s how it was for me. Having met them in person and seeing them performed live is already a big check on my fan girl to do list. But I must have been a good girl because the band fairies granted me the opportunity to pose with OOR twice, of course with Tomoya beside me. And I will always look forward to having a little chat with them again. Taka, pardon my “fantastic baby”… what I meant is you guys rock. Thanks Tomoya for the power hug! See you again soon. Cheers!
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Amy
“WOW, ONE OK ROCK Rocks!”
Whoaw!!
One Ok Rock rocks!
I'm a fan of 3 years and still counting. I always watch them on the internet, and little did I know that I had the chance to meet them and touch them in flesh. colonthree emoticon Hahaha I did not expect that they really went here to perform for us!! One Ok Rock never fails to amaze me. They totally ROCKS my world. They totally capture my ears, my eyes and my HEART! I know PCD is really a chronic curse to me, and I don't want this feeling to end. Be back here soon! Philippines loves OOR so much I could fly. XD
Yui Rubia
‘they indeed made our dreams come true’
This is already the second time I experienced ONE OK ROCK’s concert but it was so different having them here in my home country. Having them shout, “MANILA!!!”, with the top of their voices is one of the proofs that they indeed made our dreams come true. I want more, ONE OK ROCK. Please give us more by returning here soon and I’ll surely purchase a ticket once again! Thank you for the awesome music, Taka, Toru, Ryota and Tomoya!!!
Ysa Rodriguez
VIP 2
‘I waited 5 years for that day to arrive’
I’ve waited 5 years for that day to arrive. January 19, 2016 was the most awaited day of my life coz finally, finally One Ok Rock arrived in Philippines. I was lucky that I was able to get my hands on those precious Pulp Royalty Tickets and got the best seat in the house. I never regretted that I spent a lot of money for that 1 and a half concert. All the pain, the sweat, the bruises and scrapes were all worth it. The way Taka, Toru, Tomoya and Ryota performed their songs was truly amazing, almost magical actually. I never jumped and scream like that in my whole life, I lost my voice but I didn’t mind coz I know One Ok Rock felt our love for them.
I was moved to tears when I heard Taka singing “Last Dance” while they were doing the sound check while waiting for the chance to meet them. I was more speechless when I saw them in the flesh, I couldn’t understand what I felt during the meet and greet, I already practiced what to say to them when I met them but all I can say was Hi, Thank you and I love you so much. I was so starstruck, I couldn’t believe that they are now in front of me. That moment was truly amazing, I couldn’t describe it in one word. I fell in love with them more now that I saw them perform live. I will hold on to their promise that they will return here in the Philippines and I will wait no matter how long it takes.
Kirstein Mae Canoy
‘Mission accomplished’
*excerpt from her blog*
While waiting for the band to finally go on stage, maybe my friends, Roxanne and Gemdrei noticed that I was a bit sad. Roxanne asked for my phone and typed a message. She said that right after my turn, a Japanese guy, maybe the band’s manager, asked to have my calling card from Taka. But Taka said, “No, it’s ok.” And then he put my calling card/ letter inside his pocket.
Confirmed. Mission accomplished.
Sheen Seeckts
‘Super awesome’
It was my first time to attend a concert and it was super awesome! The wait was really worth it! The crowd and the band enjoyed the moment and I'm now looking forward to the next concert!
Jazz Rosin
‘It was a dream come true’
It was a dream come true for me.. Watching them live in the Philippines and meeting them in person are two goals striked already!!! I literally cried at the start of the concert, the intro part! That feeling of extreme happiness I knew it I'm ready for this. I sang and screamed at the top of my lungs, raised my hand, headbang then sometimes tap my heart during the emotional acoustic parts. This is real. This is live. Thanks to the great OOR band, my dear friends and the entire crowd. It was indeed an intense and epic concert! It's a night to remember, a forever memory I'd treasure for the rest of my life.
Sigrid Morales
‘They delivered, and did not disappoint’
ONE OK ROCK delivered and did not disappoint. you can feel the energy when watching their concerts on dvds or videos but seeing them live is on a different level. it was surreal
Raphael Usis
‘Everything still feels surreal’
Everything still feels surreal. The day I became a fan of the band, I told myself that if I ever get to watch their concert live someday, I had to be at the very front. Luck was with me that day and I got my wish. Their songs sounded a thousand times better live than their official audio recordings. So much energy, so much power. Taka's vocals are unbelievable. After that unforgettable night, my love for them has grown even bigger. I've decided to support this band for the rest of my life (as long as all four of them are still together) and be with them on their journey towards becoming rock legends.
Ayra De Ocampo
‘The concert was freaking magnificent’
The concert was freaking magnificent! As if it's not their first time here in the Philippines. They actually moved us in all level of our emotions. From super funky feeling up to heartwarming sensation when they singing their song to us. The most highlighted part of that night was the promised that Taka made that they will definitely going to return here! That was really overwhelming to the point of crying. And the meet and greet will be forever imprinted in my memory because the actual holding of hands, the small exchange of talk and their intense eye contact will surely never be forgotten. I have alot of things to say but words can't really express it. Thank you so much for that experience and i will always bring that moment with them until my brain or heart can't function well. Hahha
Mavic Calinga
‘#ONEOKROCKLiveinManila WAS EFFIN’ AWESOME’
#ONEOKROCKLiveinManila WAS EFFIN’ AWESOME, beyond words!!! My goal for this concert was to see and hear them perform live, but unfortunately, I can’t hear Taka’s singing and speaking voice clearly because of the CROWD! Meeting the boys face-to-face was… I don’t know! I became timid and silent, but I want to make things right so I am looking forward to their come back! One of the highlights for me was seeing how we made the boys happy through their genuine smiles, their IG posts, and Amuse Inc. Asia’s post on Facebook! I feel so happy and proud that we made it and I am part of that crowd, and so not hearing Taka clearly is all worth it. I am also proud that I just enjoyed the moment, just screamed my lungs out while singing with Taka and not taking any photo or video during their performance.
Lush Cueto
‘The best night ever!’
The best night ever! It still gives me the chills every time I think about what happen last night. Totally worth the wait. All efforts and our prayers are paid off. I can't even here the crowd. I thought we weren't that loud 'cause coz I was close to the speakers. I think I went deaf at some point.
I cherished and savored every song. Slow or rock. This is our dream come true. And it just brings me to tears right now that everything has to end. But I totally know this is only the beginning and I'll definitely gonna see toru's sexy expression while playing the guitar and hold his hand again, tighter and much longer.
Tin Jamito
‘I DIED!’
I DIED! I DIED! I DIED! It’s an experience that would last a lifetime. I won’t forget the OOR concert EVER! And, I’m willing to pay 10K or more to watch their concert again. grin emoticon
They are not REAL!!! They are sooo perfect!!! Videos/Pictures don’t do them justice. They’re more than 100% better in real life. The concert itself is SURREAL!!!
It’s my first time to attend a live concert. I truly loved their performance and the crowd. I’m soo proud of my co-OOR fans. Long live, P.O.O.R! We Rock!
Thank you ONE OK ROCK! ‘Til we meet again!
Rosemarie Samar
‘I’m on cloud nine until now.’
Someone literally needs to drag me back to reality cause I dont know if I will get over the concert soon, im on cloud nine until now. Best part is the M&G itself. I still cant believe that I've seen the boys face to face. Starstruck is an understatement cause I was so speechless when I saw how handsome they are in person and up close. I almost die with too much tension when it was my turn to greet them but I died when i looked into Taka's eyes and he looked into mine and my world stops right there. heart emoticon I swear I died that night. The performance itself was beyond amazing. How can someone sounds better live? They are way too impossible! I hope that they will include more old songs when they come back. I miss them already!
Words will never be enough to express how intense it was watching them perform live in front of my very eyes. I was excited, and at the same time nervous. I was happy, and at the same time, panicky. Seeing them right in front of me felt so much different when just watching them on television, or seeing them in a magazine. The moment I saw them smiling at me, I just couldn’t help myself but scream (internally) and fangirl (internally… -ish). And as I was watching them perform live, I just could not believe that I am one of the lucky fans who were witnessing this one hell of an awesome night! THEY ARE REAL. THEY ARE FREAKING REAL!!!
I will be waiting for you to come back to the Philippines again, ONE OK ROCK!
Jumi Gatmin
More ONE OK ROCK!
For my first ever PULP Live and PULP Royalty experience – first ever concert even, it was one mind-blowing experience because ONE OK ROCK live is different in person than the one in the recorded ones. I was given the best birthday and Christmas present ever by PULP Live World with this and the experience of meeting ONE OK ROCK in the flesh was amazing. I will definitely come back for more and if PULP brings them back, you can bet I’ll be the first in line for Royalty!!!
Mei Manuel
Do I look blanking in this photo? Apparently not! But wow, unforgettable experience. Thank you PULP Live World and Amuse Asia for this chance and for this very special birthday gift!
Happy 25th to me from ONE OK ROCK! *Disclaimer: My birthday is September, tickets were out September so yes, this was my birthday gift to myself XDDD*
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Let’s cut it from here guys! The main course is appearing in a few (once i have the photos) and I must say its going to be one of the longest ones ever!
ONE OK ROCK: The 2016 35XXXV Asia Tour: Live in Manila was brought to us by PULP Live World, 28 Black and Amuse Asia Inc. Event partners also include Monster Radio RX 93.1, MYX, The Philippine Star, Inquirer.net, Animax, Otaku Asia Magazine, Primer, Astroplus, Odyssey Music Video, Pulp Magazine, G/ST and SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Hangover even at this time of week? Well, Taka, Toru, Ryota and Tomoya have made that much of a mark for everyone and seriously, they ain’t letting go of this one’s heart!
Hope your ready to cry your hearts out for Part 3, 4 and 5 (yeah, it has to be cut like madness because of the photos and the captions. I wouldn’t want to kill you guys with a super long deadly post-event report!!!!!) *insert Caris’ favorite bibimbap sticker of me here*
Many people did say it actually that my photo with the band was superb and fantastic. Taka is one of the smallest in the group. I think its because of our posing… or the camera angle. XDD
Omg!!! So jealous :'( nasa vip3 kami unfortunately, may mga katabi kaming panira ng gabi.. ang swerte mo!!! Hope to meet you on their next concert.. xx
Lol, dont worry, you will have a chance soon too! I’ll be in the next one, no worries. Seems everyone loved my reports so I will strive my best to get that coveted interview with the band so you guys can ask your questions through me :)
Lol. twas a very quick and oddly soul-wrenching moment I tell you that. They will come back so don’t worry! Maybe you can get your own close encounters with them once they come back!!!
Hope you enjoy the rest of the coverage and the magazine!!!
Mei Manuel
Awesome post. I like your picture with the band. I thought Taka and Tomoya are the same height. Maybe Taka just looks smaller. :-)
Many people did say it actually that my photo with the band was superb and fantastic. Taka is one of the smallest in the group. I think its because of our posing… or the camera angle. XDD
Geez! what a post, I can feel all your mixed up emotions. Way to go Mei-chan! Waiting for your next post :)
Lol! Well, i tried my best to give you guys the same experience. LOL. This blogger knows how to pull heartstrings when it is necessary!
My next post wouldnt be for a while. I dont want to be pointed as the reason all of you guys have PCD tendencies that can be questionable!
Omg!!! So jealous :'( nasa vip3 kami unfortunately, may mga katabi kaming panira ng gabi.. ang swerte mo!!! Hope to meet you on their next concert.. xx
Lol, dont worry, you will have a chance soon too! I’ll be in the next one, no worries. Seems everyone loved my reports so I will strive my best to get that coveted interview with the band so you guys can ask your questions through me :)
You’re so lucky. I thought it was not worth it buying the meet and greet, but now I sort of regret it :)
Lol. twas a very quick and oddly soul-wrenching moment I tell you that. They will come back so don’t worry! Maybe you can get your own close encounters with them once they come back!!!
Hope you enjoy the rest of the coverage and the magazine!!!
Hopefully they will come back this year or at least next year. :)
Thanks for blogwalking to mine! It’s lame and new and still needs tweaking here and there lol
Lol thats ok. Thanks for passing by mine too! hope you got a copy of the magazine!