Mei ManuelKonnicchassssuuu!!!
I am basically starting this special blog on my special day because I’m resting after traveling all around and 3 hours sleep after what happened the day prior? Hahahaha! I’m experiencing PCD and I guess what people call a hangover. ONE OK ROCK hangover!
Before you begin this part 1 of… you’ll find out down below, let it be known that I wrote this at different times and dates but the emotions, pretty much the same! I am still one lost and broken soul that just had an out-of-body-experience because of the concert. I know most of you are too!
Without further ado, let’s begin!
WARNING: This entry is a photo and video-heavy one. Some photos or videos may appear differently depending on where you browse this! Shout out to all those who shared their photos and videos with me. All of you are cited in your respective points!
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I was able to actually have a decent sleep in before I made my way to Cubao for the concert. In the previous two (and I had to look it up on my previous entries for it), I was more or less up at an absurd time with little sleep and had to face the grueling part of commuting for hours (3 or so hours to be exact, traffic included) before I got to Mall of Asia Arena.
But, this concert was different because it would only take me more or less 2 hours to get to since Cubao is where the provincial buses from the North have their terminals. From there, I have to walk a little bit before I get to Araneta Coliseum. It was that simple!
I won’t bore you with the details of how my travel went because it was actually pretty painless.
What was not painless was the fact I had to learn on the way I almost didn’t make it to the banner signing because the fans were already there so early and MAN! They honed on to the banner like flies!
Here’s a picture sent to the GC by one of the admins. The banner is larger than the previous two and fun fact, there was actually one made for Eye of the Storm. But, we all know what happened to that.
Here’s a shot taken by Anna when she arrived. I did get to meet here and she’s the one behind the previous EOTS artwork I did use for the blog before that show went bye bye. She got me some cool goodies and I gave her my version of a care package. I was supposed to meet her before we were told to go in but… lol, I am stuck with the other stuff that got misplaced with my stash!
Will have to make do with a shoutout and see her in the next one :)
When I actually arrived, the banner was indeed almost close to full as you can see here.
And here’s a group shot of these fans who were signing during the time I passed by in the area they placed it on.
The staff of PULP Live World also got started, by the time I got there, the merch table… so many stuff. I wanted to get the poster, which they sold too. Thank God an old friend of mine, Sid, was there coz I almost did not get it after ending up in the line for pre-order claims. The line… the horror!!!
And hello to these lovely girls! Nice to see you!!
I did also see the admins of POOR. I do have selfies with them but hahaha, given the fact I am not so sure which phones did which, I dunno whom to ask photos from.
Before I went to the hotel to check in, I was able to catch the people from PULP get the video of these fans for their PCD feature! I’m the blogger here so I didn’t join in :)))
When I was in the hotel, several events also happened around the area that warrants some attention!
The most notable one is the event “WE’RE THE RENEGADES” by Teen Fresh at the Drink Lab Cafe. It is basically a celebration of fans now that the boys are back and also meet other fans.
I got in touch with Brian, whom I have seen is the one behind the posts related to this event, to ask him about how he and the team got into the whole event concept. He told me that Teen Fresh, the shop he started, used to only cater to K-pop merch. However, he later rebranded to also offer Japanese merch as well. As a fan of both worlds, he had been thinking about hosting a cafe event when the concert was announced. He then did his research to see if there were people who would be interested in the event and when he saw the positive feedback, he got started in getting the event done.
He partnered with the Cafe and with various partners so fans could enjoy the atmosphere and even get some merchandise for their collection. The name is also quite unique because it is the amalgamation of “We Are” and “Renegades”, which Brian sees as the Fight Songs of the band. He also adds its like the perfect title for us fans who gone through hell and back during this pandemic and overcame it with the help of ONE OK ROCK’s iconic songs.
Here’s a great video from that very event! To more of these!
Now, for the others, first batter!
These clips came from Jie. Quite small vids but see how much variety we got for freebie/merch. Pinoy fans truly are talented in so many ways!
Here’s Aivje from Box A posing with her merch and with her friend! Aivje got interviewed too and she said she was honored for the experience.
And we actually have a second banner! This one is from Team Davao and it has cute chibis of the boys! I actually signed in this banner :)
And the photo above and this one is from Jennelyn! Thank you for the photos you sent over! (I can’t put all so hope thats ok!)
Team Davao represent!!!! I see my signature here
After resting up and her arriving in the scene, I got reunited with this queen. Yes, I am friends with this girl and my oh my our reunion was quite chaotic as she is. She did give me a lot of goodies, but that is for another blog! I do love her though even if she’s chaotic af!
We also met with some old friends whom I also met in 2016 (2018… I don’t think sooo… I know for this queen I did see her) and took this group pic! I do have a pic with some other friends of ours but haha, by the time I wrote this, I realized the blog is too long already!
So Sid and Kirst, sorry I didn’t include it here!
Around 4:30pm, made our way to the lines but my friend, being who she is, went back to our friends and I remained there because I rather lose time with friends than to get my line taken from me. Haha, barricades or bust! I did have to go leave a bit too to find a restroom coz once you are in and you are in the barricades, that’s basically it. That was one journey though.
When I got back, I didn’t take photos but I was too amused that my queue mates (Shout out to number 34 and 35 of Platinum A, whoever you may be) passed to me the note used by a certain person for their plans that day (the story about this tea in another post). I just laughed when I was handed it and told the amused pair (They were a couple) I knew it was happening.
Since it was hot and dang, I also forgot to do this even if I said to our group I would, I didn’t take photos! Fortunately, my fellow Platinum A buddies got my back!
This one is the start of the queue line to the red gate. They had us in one area, which I have to say was too hot to bear coz they also had the Gold zone with us.
And here’s the girl who got the previous photo! Hello Lorie Ann and her friend!
Here are other photos of the line. Thanks to Anjellie who contributed these!
Of course, I also got the help of the other zones to give me ideas on how the lines faired in their respective zones! It was chaotic no matter where you go… and uh, don’t get me started with the merch claim!
Here’s one from Platinum B from Bea!
Another view of the lines from Platinum B, thanks to Chloe
Close to the entrance for Platinum B from Catishia
Looks like the line is… orderly. Owie from Patron A sends this
From Patron B, here’s a short clip from Edison
Here’s another side of Patron B, thanks to Crisandrae! Hello to you and your friend!
This clip is from the line for Box A… woah the line! Much thanks to Rojean for this!
This is another clip from Box A’s line, courtesy of Daniel
This one is from Francis, also from Box A
Now Box B’s chaotic lines thanks to Christian
The before and after the lines in Gen Ad from Camille. I wonder which one is which
In Gen Ad still. Hey, I never really gotten much freebies from this live :))
The photo above and this one is from Millie!!
Back to Platinum A. Here’s a pic of the actual red gate for us. Thanks to Anjellie again!
While we were stuck like hungry lions at the red gate, I finally got to have my selfie with my dearest kouhai (And one of my inspirations for one of the characters of my incoming novel) Reina. We have met in the strapping area while looking for Kirst and Sid but no time for pics. We did end up taking this as she waited for her companion. Ah, I never got to inform you about the novel… whoops XD
It’s her first OOR live and she has waited almost a decade for this. Wait no more!
I did also see my boy Raki. Man, I last saw him like when… was it the first one? I forgot, but its nice to see you man!
The staff then slowly let us in and we had to stop once we got in to follow our queue number. Much to my amusement and annoyance, we ended up running anyway and boom! We got into the barricades in front of the stage.
My take on the stage? It is actually quite smaller compared to the previous two, especially the extended stage, but it is raised much better. So, you have a clear view of the boys. I even fangirled when I noticed that Tomoya’s drumkit is his personalized set. Woah!!!
Me and some of the guys from Platinum A!!!
Here’s the other side from my view of Platinum A!
On the other side, here are some group pics from Platinum B from Bea!
Here’s another group pic from Platinum B. Thanks Catishia!
Owie from Patron A sent this. If you can glint somewhere there in the middle, you can see me. Hahaha!
This is Nina and her concert buddy from Patron A. She says her buddy was her seatmate during the 2018 show and after 5 years, they got reunited! No more solo cons for Nina and her concert buddy!!
Here’s a nice shot of Abigail when she got in Patron B!
This is from Shyla as she browses the standing zones from Patron B
Here’s another angle from Patron B, from Reana
Mary Ruth and her friends at Box A
Group pic of Κλέαρ and her friends in Box A … I tried to ask what her actual name was but… fail! So, here’s your special mention!
From Box B, we are given a view of the crowd by Abigail (so many Abigails in this show)
This shared photo and it looks sick is from Princess in Box B. Looks very epic!
Another sick view of the standing zones and the stage from Box B courtesy of Ryan
From Gen Ad, you are well represented by Camille and her group!
While we waited, we were treated with the final soundchecks for the boys’ gear. First went Taka’s mic, then Ryota’s bass, Tomoya’s drums and Toru’s guitars. What’s utterly amusing with it all is that we got thanked for cheering.
Me and my fellow Platinum A people also went to bug one of the staff, who told us that the background music we were hearing while waiting can’t be changed because its a way to build the hype. Well, it is weird we have to K-pop in the background but he does have a point. We also bugged them for a setlist or pick but its all good.
I will end the blog with this photo from Edelyn in the GA zone to show you guys how it looked like from up above. Not long after this pic, the lights turned dark and as the clock struck 8 pm… well, it was mind-boggling!
The next chapter – the much anticipated live report – will come in seven days because I don’t think your hearts can take the PCD that will hit. Or maybe I just wanna make sure its all perfect. I also got sick in the process sooo, Mei’s brain is slightly addled still. You don’t want me addled and having to relive PCD in the process. Hahaha!
Either way, look forward to the next installment!!
