Here’s a rundown of my third time in Singapore after ten years: reuniting with my cousins, getting amazed by first-world problems, and watching a concert all in one.

Singapore snapshots

Finally, after what happened two years ago, I saw Singapore unfold before my eyes.

Up to the flight day, I couldn’t believe it was happening.

Two years ago, the timing was off.

My main goal then: watch the Backstreet Boys in concert.

On my flight day, I had a cold and a sore throat.

COVID-19 was still present then. Although the tests were negative, I didn’t want to risk my travel.

I cried.

I traveled to the hospital ENT clinic instead of the airport.

I bought antibiotics instead of street food from the hawker centre.

Then a few months later, I would undergo my radioactive iodine therapy for the thyroid cancer recurrence.

It was different this time around.

I was in the right disposition, situation, and mindset.

My main goal this time: watch SB19 in concert.

Can I be honest with you?

A few weeks and months before the trip, there were times when I told myself, “Why did I even buy a ticket to watch a concert in Singapore? It’s a lot of effort to travel. So many things to do, ya da ya ya da.”

Additionally, what happened two years ago still haunts me. Sometimes I would catch myself thinking about that day when everything had to be canceled. (Thank you to the friends to whom I asked for prayers.)

Then I realized the concert was just a tiny part of everything that happened on that trip.

It’s been a decade since I last saw Singapore. Their first-world problems continue to amaze me and keep me grounded. (Paano nga ba higitan ang sagad na? Punta ka sa Singapore.)

It’s also been a decade since I last saw my cousins, Ate Nelia and Ate Eliza. And unlike the first trips I made, we had more time to be together to exchange stories, laughs, and throw sh*t at adulting. I appreciate their generosity and time. (Ayan mga ate, nag-post na ako, hahaha!)

I was so giddy as a first-timer at an SB19 concert. Heck, I was giddy to ride the MRT and bus, too! There’s a hawker center just a few meters from Ate Liza’s home! Aaaarrrggghhh now I want to go back.

I am grateful to Nina Mendoza for letting me know that Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is playing in Sentosa. I never intended to add Sentosa to my itinerary, but hey, the wizards made a call.

I thank one of my clients, Marcus Ho, for meeting with me. With his guidance, I visited Gardens By The Bay and the Jewel Rain Vortex at Changi Terminal 1.

I was proud of myself because I prepared better for this trip, health-wise especially.

Yet I know that in the grand scheme of things, the timing was right, and everything is grace.

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So, why did I watch SB19 in Singapore?

So yes, I went to Singapore to watch a concert (a first!), and a Filipino act at that.

So bakit nga ba ako nanood ng concert ng SB19 sa Singapore? Gento kasi ‘yan.

Noong nag-announce sila ng Simula at Wakas Kickoff sa Philippine Arena, nag-decide na akong hindi ako manonood. Hindi kaya ng utak ko ang 55,000 seating capacity ng venue na ‘yun. Hindi pa nag-graduate ang utak ko sa MOA Arena at Araneta Coliseum.

Pero gusto kong ma-experience ang concert nila. So habang nagpo-promote sila ng day 2 sa PH Arena, I was already eyeing their Singapore leg.

Kaya noong naglabas na ng video teaser for Singapore, hindi pa natatapos ang video, I already clicked the link to the ticket booking site and checked the details. Kahit ‘yung pinakamalayong seat lang, ok na sa akin.

Naghintay pa ako ng 24 hours bago bumili kasi tinanong ko si Nina kung sasama siya sa akin. She said, “Kung makakabili ka ng tickets, sasama ako.”

Eh I DID secure tickets ng hindi nakikipag-agawan sa kapwa-A’TIN.

Eventually, Nins decided not to go. So the trip allowed me to be all by myself – kinda. Congrats for traveling semi-solo again, Self.

At heto na, heto na, heto na, aaahhhhhh!

Heto na ang breakdown ng first ever international concert na, first ever SB19 concert pa ng Tita A’TIN ninyo:

1. Hindi ako nagbibiro. Sa airport pa lang, kita mo na ang A’TIN. (See separate post.) At friendly sila kapag tinanong mo. I didn’t really feel alone during the trip.

Side story: nakapila ako sa CR sa Changi tapos sabi ng mga nasa likod ko, “Hala! May busking sila! Aabot ba tayo??”

2. 5:00 PM ang announced concert time, pero nagsimula ng 5:40 PM. Eksaktong 8:00 PM tapos ang concert. Anyway, super love ng tita ang oras!

3. From what I heard, the soundcheck only had two songs.

4. Around 4:45 PM, a Filipino guy from the events team stood up from a chair and shouted, “Magsisimula tayo ng 5:00 PM! Pasok na kayo! You don’t want to miss the intro!” Eh nakapila ako sa CR.

Naii-stress na ang mga kasama ko sa pila kasi hindi tumitigil ‘yung lalaki sa pagsigaw. Kaya nagsabi ako, “Hindi ako aalis sa pila ko. Hindi sasagutin ng SB19 ang gamot kapag nagka-UTI ako!”

5. First time kong magdala ng maliit na bag sa concert! As in walang tubig at food akong dala! Sa Pilipinas nailulusot ko ‘yan. Ang higpit ng security sa Singapore.

6. Naka-experience na din ako ng Karaoke Party sa SB19 Concert! Naaliw ang pinsan ko dito. Ang saya daw ng fandom.

7. Sold out talaga ‘yung concert. Ang sabi, 6,700 ang seating capacity ng Arena @ EXPO. Pero 7,000 kami sa loob.

8. I learned systems (and their efficiency) during the concert—from the program flow to the synchronization of lights, sounds, our LED bands and lightsticks, and performers. Everything went smoothly.

9. No question and no doubt, sumasayaw ang SB19 nang hindi naaapektuhan ang boses. Vocal monsters talaga.

10. When Pablo changed the first lines of the song “What?” from:

“Alam ko naman na ‘di ako’ng pinaka-ano, magaling / Got no biz with all of you, please / Destiny’s I’ll be better, and”

to

“Alam ko na sinabi ko dati na di ako magaling / But I got this! So all of you please / Wake up, witness the best!”

Yes Pablo, we’re all glued.

11. SB19 had different positions on the stage. Pero mula sa upuan ko (bronze seat – malayo sa stage), kita ko silang lahat. Walang natatakpan na member. Consistent ito sa buong concert.

Each member also made sure that they were able to go to both sides of the stage. Walang side comments na “Si [Name] ang madalas magpunta sa side namin.”

12. Overall, masaya ang tita n’yo dahil narinig na n’ya for the first time ang live versions ng mga SB19 songs. Na-realize ko na favorite ko pala ang “Golden Hour”, “Nyebe”, “Mana”, at “Crimzone”. (‘Yung last song akala ni Ate Liza magigiba ang Bronze seat area, hahaha!)

13. I noticed na si Ken ang may pinakamalakas na sigaw from the audience kapag nagsasalita siya.

14. Walang masyadong talking segments, probably because late nang nagsimula ang show, and there were guests (Benjamin Khang and Aruma).

15. Speaking of guests, Benjamin Khang and Aruma brought the uniqueness of this concert leg. Buti na lang si Josh ang kumausap kay Benjamin, kasi seloso si Stell. (Please refer to Pagtatag Finale, noong kinausap niya si Terry Zhong.) Aruma is also sweet!

16. Justin and Josh have improved so much in their singing. When they joked na lalabas si Sarah Geronimo (Justin: “Ladies and gentlemen, here in SG, S.G!”), Justin sang Pablo’s line in Umaaligid. Ang smooth! Josh sang his line and I said, “Wow! This guy’s voice!”

17. Speaking of Josh, may inihain siyang pandesal. You’re very much welcome for this information. (Kung hindi mo gets, email me LOL.)

18. Speaking of Justin, ang “Dungka” pamalo niya for Singapore ay cane. (Fans list down ang mga pamalo ni Justin. So far, he tried from slippers to dos pos dos, even a laptop for a brand event.)

19. ‘Yung Bazinga na palitan ng song lines? Wala, maning-mani na lang sa kanila. Versatility to the core.

20. W3’s performance is so solid; they deserve louder claps. I was happy to see Coach Jay among them, too!

21. Nagtayuan ang mga tao after mag-bow ang SB19. I was like, “Hindi pa ‘yan tapos, guys. Aral sa Marvel ang SB19.” I just assumed they were casuals (at maraming casuals dahil concert ang isa sa mga ginagawa ng Pinoys sa Singapore).

Nagsi-tigil sila noong bumalik ang SB19 para kumanta ng “Dam”. Ay sos, ‘yung energy ng SB19 parang hindi nag-perform ng two hours!

22. From what I heard, merong mga Hi-Bye at Group Photo sessions post-concert. Magkaiba ito. At super higpit din ng implementation. As in, bawal makipag-kamay or mag-selfie mula sa malayo habang nakapila. Napalabas din ang mga concert-goers na nag-aabang na lumabas ulit ang SB19 (pero hindi nagbayad for those add-ons).

23. Konti lang ang photos and videos ko. In-enjoy ko ang concert. Pwede n’yo namang i-search sa YouTube at TikTok ang mga nangyari. Iba’t-ibang angle pa. May videos ako na kumakanta at sumasayaw, though, c/o Ate Eliza. As in, kapag inilabas n’ya ang mga ‘yun, canceled ako, hahahaha!

24. Nakakaloka, dalawang photocards at isang sticker lang ang nakuha ko mula sa fandom freebies! Ganito yata talaga kapag beginner.

May naka-kuwentuhan akong casual post-concert. Tinanong ko siya, “So, na-convert ka na ba?”

“Hindi pa ako fan,” sabi niya. “Pero ang ganda ang production value, grabe. Pwede naman palang magawa ng Pinoy ‘yun. Pero ang guwapo ni Stell.”

SB19, the universe is yours. Keep on shooting for the stars!