On February 20, 2023, moms and titas from all over the Philippines were out of their homes and workplaces (and even their weddings!), and were headed towards either of the two major concert places in Metro Manila -- at the SM Mall of Asia Arena for the American boy band Backstreet Boys or Araneta Coliseum for Irish pop group Westlife.
Yes, these two foreign bands whom our teenage selves loved and adored back in the 90s were back in Manila on the same day, almost three years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
These bands' teen fans back then who saved up to buy cassette tapes and posters are now parents. Yep, that was roughly 25 to 30 years ago.
Thus, all those feelings and admiration coupled with mother power and energy were unleashed in the two concert venues on Monday night. Backstreet Boys called it, by far, the loudest crowd ever in their DNA World Tour. Westlife, meanwhile said it was the "wildest night" in their The Wild Dreams Tour.
These moms, myself included, knew we wouldn't miss these concerts for the world.
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Backstreet Boys 'DNA World Tour 2023' in Manila
Performing their hit songs Get Down, As Long As You Love Me, and 25 more, the crowd was taken on a trip down memory lane by Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson. All of them are parents too!
Eva Egmilan, a customer service support manager and new mom said she prayed for this tour because she wasn't able to secure a ticket back in 2019.
"Nilaban talaga, 'cos kahit wala pang two months since I gave birth, I don't know if they will still have the energy to make a tour next time."
She added, "Buti nga pumayag si Kevin [Richardson]. As far as I know, ayaw na din sana niya since he's already in his 50s."
Like everyone else, senior manager and mom of one Nicole AC confessed she was still hungover from Monday's concert. "We live for moments in an arena full of titas who are teens for a night! Still singing, swaying, screaming! Best night of this year yet! All the nostalgic feels were just beyond my teen heart could ever handle."
Erin Galoso, mom of three and an assistant manager for a tech start-up, even unearthed her precious BSB cassette tape, and bought lightsticks and headbands, "This is by far the best concert I've been to, and even better because I had my sisters with me who shared the same passion I had for these boys!"
She said, "I wish for all the days of my life to be as happy as I was tonight."
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Celebrity mom Regine Tolentino meanwhile shared her concert OOTD on Instagram, "So last night was a major fangirl moment with my marsies. We sang, danced, and screamed at the top of our lungs ALL NIGHT LONG! Feeling teenager ulit! Haha!!!"
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Westlife 'The Wild Dreams Tour' in Manila
Up north in Quezon City, Westlife fulfilled these celebrity moms dreams - extending the experience even after the concert.
Both Yasmien Kurdi and Nadine Samonte were ecstatic when they found out that one of Westlife's lead vocalists Mark Feehily followed them back on Instagram.
"OMG! Markus "Mark" Michael Patrick Feehily reposted my story and followed me back! Hala totoo ba? nanaginip yata ako? You made my day! Hello Nicky! (naka seen siya sa stories ko)," mom of one Yasmien said.
Nadine, who has three kids, posted with lots of emojis, "OH EMMM GEEEE! I love you Mark! You followed me. My heart my heart. You are my favorite ever since. Am I dreaming??? Grabe ahhhhhhhhh (I'm screaming inside)."
She didn't have to but she apologized to her husband Rboy Chua, "Sorry love and thank you for understanding haha (mas mahal pa din kita)."
What's more, two newlyweds had to leave their wedding early to see Westlife. It's so crazy, the news made it to an Irish media site.
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List of upcoming concerts in Manila 2023
It's the perfect time to remind moms not only that dreams can come true, but more importantly that taking these guilt-free breaks from motherhood is necessary.
Even if it means that for a few hours, the dirty dishes will have to wait a bit longer in the sink, clean clothes left in the dryer, and the kids will be away from you. They will be fine.
These moments are potential core memories waiting for you to consume them. Don't let mom guilt hold yourself back because you deserve every bit of rest and fun that you can have.
So, here's a list of some concerts to look forward to this 2023 according to Philippine Concerts. Thank us later.
PARA SA’YO: A BENEFIT CONCERT feat. Parokya Ni Edgar and December Avenue
Date: March 3, 2023
Venue: Amoranto Sports Stadium
Get your tickets via TicketNet outlets and online here.
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WANDERLAND: THE COMEBACK
Date: March 4 and 5, 2023
Venue: Filinvest City Events Grounds
Get your tickets here.
ARCTIC MONKEYS LIVE IN MANILA
Date: March 6, 2023
Venue: Filinvest City Events Grounds
Get your tickets here.
SIMPLE PLAN THE HARDER THAN IT LOOKS TOUR 2023 – MANILA
Date: March 10, 2023
Venue: New Frontier Theater
Tickets to the concert are available via TicketNet outlets and online here.
HARRY STYLES LOVE ON TOUR 2023
Date: March 14, 2023
Venue: Philippine Arena
Get your tickets from SM Tickets outlets and online here.
BRYAN ADAMS SO HAPPY IT HURTS TOUR
Date: March 15, 2023
Venue: Araneta Coliseum
Get your tickets here from TicketNet outlets and online here.
STING: MY SONGS
Date: March 17 and 18, 2023
Venue: The Theatre At Solaire
Tickets to the concert have been sold out
BLACKPINK BORN PINK WORLD TOUR
Date: March 25 and 26, 2023
Venue: Philippine Arena
Get your tickets here: SM Tickets outlets and www.smtickets.com – March 25 and March 26
SAOSIN ASIA TOUR 2023 LIVE IN MANILA
Date: March 26, 2023
Venue: Skydome, SM North EDSA
Get your tickets here from SM Tickets outlets and online here.
THE 1975 AT THEIR VERY BEST LIVE IN MANILA
Date: May 3 and 4, 2023
Venue: MOA Arena
Get your tickets here: SM Tickets outlets and www.smtickets.com – May 3 and May 4
BLUE & BOYZLIFE
Date: TBA
Venue: TBA
The February 11 event has been postponed.
Have fun, parents
Again, moms. Go ahead and enjoy yourselves. Take this break, you need it. Let this line from one of the most epic BSB songs, Larger Than Life, affirm that you are doing a great job:
"Every time we're down, you can make it right. And that makes you larger than life."
Dads and husbands, you can fanboy too! Read how Karylle made her hubby Yael Yuzon so happy after buying tickets to see Korean actor Kim Seon Ho, here.
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