Playlist: Lea Salonga Like You've Never Heard Before

Photo c/o ticketworldmanila.blogspot.com

For those who missed the show simply because they thought that Lea Salonga's just going to sing songs that she has been singing for the last 35 years, dear, you just missed one hell of a show! Simply put, Playlist is EPIC. I love it because the repertoire consisted of songs that none of us has ever heard THE Lea Salonga sing before (ok, fine, so I have seen a few of them on Youtube, but still).

I know. I'm biased. I will always be when it comes to Lea Salonga.

Before anything else...

THE SOUVENIR BOOK
If you want to purchase a copy, kindly email LSPlaylist35@gmail.com to inquire.
Kindly include your Name, Mobile Number, Address, and Number of Programs to be ordered.
Pls note that RESERVATION IS ONLY FOR TWO (2) DAYS.
Also, keep checking @MsLeaSalonga and @SheillaHabab26 on Twitter
for more details.

I have seen many Lea Salonga concerts before, but I have never been this excited for Playlist. For the first time in history, AFLS was part of creating the souvenir program (or as Lea prefers it, the souvenir book). All credits should go to Tin, Betsy, Jeff and GA (and Lea, of course), but being able to help finish this baby is such an honor. And yes, this is something I would do anytime for the "labor of love" (if you know what I mean).

Our (a few AFLSers from Manila and the United States) being contributors of the souvenir book started with a simple wish from Tin. They'd ask us to look for some contents for the program, Lea will write it, and Tin, Bets, Jeff and GA will do their magic to perfect every page. There were probably more than five thousand messages passed (and counting), plus staying up late (or in my case, putting work aside) but it's nice to use all the things I have learned from being an SEO specialist for years to find the necessary content. Me, Noel, and the AFLS US peeps Fletch, Bing and Gina were like Tin's genies - whatever she needs, we'll provide. To be honest, I didn't really expect to see my name in the program, because it's Lea, Tin, Bets, Jeff and GA who worked so damn hard for this book than any of us genies, but it sure is an honor to be able to help create the book.

Concert Highlights (at least for me)

I came to PICC without any knowledge of the repertoire, only that I know it won't include songs that I've heard a million times before. For some people, the 'playlist' may sound a bit bland, especially if you're expecting to hear songs from Disney or Miss Saigon or Les Miz but for me, it was definitely refreshing to hear something different; songs that I never expected THE LEA to sing ever. One of them is Blurred Lines.

I've said this on Twitter after the concert but I will say it again: Lea made me fall in love with Blurred Lines. Miley Cyrus ruined Blurred Lines for me, what with all the twerking gimmick she did at the MTV Video Music Awards, but Lea's stripped down version turned the tables around. It sounded soooooooo... sexy. I liked the rest of the repertoire but it was Blurred Lines that made my night.

Everything else went in a surreal blur. I love The Climb. I remember Tin sent that song for the Lea Salonga: Your Songs concert but it didn't make the cut then (obviously). I'm so glad Lea sang it this time. I love, love, LOVE it so much!

Another thing that plastered a smile on my face was seeing the photos in the screen. I find the flow (of the slideshow) a bit all over the place during the first night but it got better (way better) come Saturday.

It was also great to hear classic Lea Salonga songs again; songs that I've played in my walkman over and over when I was in high school like "Don't Know What To Do, Don't Know What To Say", "I Think I'm In Love", and "Till I Met You". However, it was during No More Tears when I randomly thought, "Siguro kung sumali si Lea sa (game na) longest voice, mananalo siya." :p Also, when she performed Evergreen, I have to admit I wanna scream "Stupid Love!" when she went, "Love soft as an easy chair..." But what's one of the most fun things that happened during the concert if you may ask? Seeing Aga Muhlach's son Andres dancing to "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" (second night). Not only was he scarily beautiful, he was also makulit and bibo. And did I mention that he's also very gwapo like his father? What a freaking gene pool.

Anyway...

When Lea sings, everything is easy breezy. I love the fact that she doesn't need to birit just to sing "I Will Always Love You" flawlessly. If you have seen her do the song before, how she did it in Playlist is WAY better than that! No BS. She was THAT good.

Sana Maulit Muli

Everyone who ships the Lea Salonga-Aga Muhlach tandem who witnessed this very special encore last December 07th probably died of feels for more than five minutes. It's amazing because even after all these years, the rapport between Lea and Aga is still there. Aga mentioned that the story for their third movie is finally written and it shall be done by the third quarter of next year. I just hope that both their schedules (and physique) will permit so that this much-awaited come back movie will finally happen.

I couldn't be more happy and contented to have finally met Aga Muhlach after the show. I'm not his biggest fan, but he's definitely one of the few Filipino actors I find really attractive. When I met him, I realized that more than his good looks, it was his charm and being real that will make you fall in love with him. Trust me, I just did. But more especially, it was great to see my fellow AFLSers again. Not just those who were part of the Souvenir Program, but the others as well; ones I haven't even met before.

AFLS Manila: Day 2
Photo c/o Catherine Reyes (AFLS)

I missed a lot of shows for watching Playlist for two nights (one that was actually for work - Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, where I write show notes for), but it's alright. I had the BEST WEEKEND EVER; one that I will treasure forever. To maestro Gerard Salonga and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, congrats! Ang galing galing niyo! To Manang Lea Salonga, congratulations and thank you for giving us a chance to be part of this memorable event. Wala ka talagang kapares! To Tin, Betsy and Jeff, KAYO NA! To the rest of the AFLSers, I love you, guys! We really are the best among the rest! Hahaha!

PS: I hope this won't be the last time we'll do something as special as this. (=

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***UPDATE***

THERE IS GOING TO BE A REPEAT. Yup, you read it right. JANUARY 18, 2014, 8pm at the PICC Plenary Hall. For those who missed the show, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE. Trust me, it is sooooooooooo worth it! Tickets are already available at Ticketworld.com.ph.

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"Imitating may be the best form of flattery, but not the best form of writing."