One Direction in Manila - OTRAT
I think everyone is aware of the popular british boy band, One Direction. It has been days since the One Direction concert in Manila, but I am still in a post concert depression. Thinking about it makes me want to cry my eyes out.
 |
| From left to right: Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles |
Well, ladies and gents, I can honestly say that the night of March 22, 2015 was one of the best nights of my life. Why, you ask? Because I went to my first concert ever, and it wasn't just any concert—it was One Direction! As I compose this blog post, almost ten hours after the show has finished, there's still a ringing noise in my ears. Here was how my night unfolded!
3PM: Leave for the concert with my friend Micole
When we were inside the car, a random directioner pointed at us and shouted, "Hoy! Lumabas ka diyan! Alam kong kayo yan!" I don't know why but I still find it funny 😜 Sorry if mababaw haha!
4PM: Meet up with my concert buddies (Jon Lucas, Miggy, and Julian Estrada) at Mall of Asia
4:30-5:30PM: Afternoon snack at Yellow Cab (4 CHEESE PIZZA!!! 🍕😋 Thanks to Julian for the treat!)
5:30PM: Chill at Prism Plaza near the concert grounds
6PM: Light dinner and small talks with Jon, Julian, and Micole at Uncle Cheffy as we wait for Julian's ticket to arrive since it wasn't with him
While waiting, it started to rain really hard so we decided to wait outside the concert grounds instead.
8PM: Meet up with my other concert buddy, Anna Sabam, outside the concert grounds
AND YES, I couldn't have asked for any other concert buddies. They all made me feel special in a way that set my first ever concert more memorable than it already was.
When the opening act ended, Anna, Micole, Jon and I were bursting with excitement because we all knew that the night was young and so were we! Our seats were at the left side of the VIP section, row TT 1-4.
Here are some advice I want to share in order for you to get noticed by the boys! I'm no expert or whatever... assuming that maybe first time's the charm 😉 But who knows? It might work for you the same way it worked for me! :)
RULE #1: Make your own rules. Own it.
Every time I stood on my chair during the concert, the bouncers would tap my shoulder and order me to sit back down. Then again, make your own rules. Own the chair. I've seen a lot of people that got noticed by the boys when they stood on the chair during the first day of the concert.
RULE #2: Distance is inversely proportional to attention. Lesser distance, more attention.
When two songs from their setlist were over, Micole and I wanted to move closer to the stage. Imagine what we had to go through just to squeeze ourselves into the crowd. VIP tickets are not expensive for no reason 😉 A few minutes later, I found myself standing behind the barricade. Literally behind the barricade, which means I was just standing in front of the second stage. I was soooo happy because I was fortunate enough to sneak in front! Micole was two rows behind me.
RULE #3: Violence is never the answer.
I WAS FREAKING OUT!!! As well as the other directioners beside me! People even kept pulling my hair just to get in front of me 😞 But like what I said, violence is never the answer. The bouncer assigned in front saw me getting squished and pushed aside, so he called my attention and asked me if I was okay not just once, but twice. "Ate, okay ka lang?" "Sure ka okay ka lang?" When the supervisor ordered him to get rid of the fans in front since the barricade was about to give up, he started blocking my view. I just looked at him and told him, "kuya, wala na akong makita!" He just ignored me and tried to push everyone in front back to their proper seats... except for me. He used his arms to block the way of other directioners and told me "Sige, dito ka nalang." He made me move to the other side of the stage where there were only a few directioners. He also made sure that I was in front before he let go of his arms to let the other fans run back in front.
 |
| From left to right: Micole Dy, Me, Anna Sabam, Jon Lucas |
When the bouncer saw a directioner crying because of joy, he smiled at her and said: "Sayang naman pera niyo kung papaalisin namin kayo dito sa harap." Always, always reciprocate kindness no matter what the condition is. There was a time I was singing the lyrics of the song and I was running out of voice. One of the staff in front looked at me and offered me water twice. "Gusto mo tubig?"
RULE #5: Let go of all your problems and enjoy.
Believe it or not, I got Liam, Harry, Niall and Louis to notice me. Harry, who was always on the left side of the stage, glanced at me for a second. Niall and Liam were always at the center of the stage however Niall barely looked down. Good thing I still got his attention twice. For Louis, he glanced at me twice but it was only for a short period of time. Liam was my favorite because he kept noticing me. He looked at my camera not just once, but four times! Likewise, he kept kneeling down in front of me and he even blew a kiss during the finale.
 |
Until now, I still can't believe 4/5 noticed me! Too bad Zayn wasn't part of their show in Manila because he flew back to his hometown in London just before One Direction's first show in the country. A day after the concert, official One Direction Facebook page announced that Zayn quit One Direction because he wanted to chill and enjoy life out of the spotlight. It was indeed heartbreaking, and to think that Manila was their first show as a four-piece.
You can check my Instagram for the video where Liam pointed at me (@michellechen4). Thank you for reading!
x
1 comments
Your so lucky you have friends with you when you went there :(. And your so lucky that Liam was looking at you and you were also lucky to be behind the barricade but unlucky when people were pulling your hair :( i know that it hurts so much from the pulling. And your also lucky that a random directioner pointed at the car and told you and your friend to come out. And lucky that a bouncer was kind to you and someone offered you water.
ReplyDelete