THE QUEEN OF POP FINALLY IN MANILA
by Stephanie Ann Magno
I remember a conversation I had with my friends a couple of years ago about which foreign music artists we'd love to see perform live in Manila. Without second thoughts, I rooted for Madonna, an iconic singer who pushed the boundaries of pop music in the eighties. When news broke out of her Rebel Heart Asia Tour involving a two-day concert in Manila, I jumped at the chance to secure a spot for the February 24th show. The set prices for these coveted tickets were steep and nearly turned me away. However, I figured that it’s not every day Madonna gets to visit this side of the world so I chose a once-in-a-lifetime experience over practicality and I don’t regret it.
Madonna’s first concert show in Manila was a bedazzling spectacle. The stage was dressed with illuminating light bulbs that extended to a shape of a huge cross on top of a heart. The queen knew how to make a grand entrance too, making audiences wait for a good hour and a half with some solid techno music from international DJ Mary Mac.
When the queen finally graced us with her presence, she sang “Iconic” inside a cage that descended through the rafters.
A photo I took during the concert.
So close yet so far!
*On-stage photos are taken from www.mb.com
It was a good thing that I familiarized myself with her Rebel Heart album since the concert featured many of her new songs along with her classic hits. The rest of the show provided a visual feast of impressive acrobatics, choreographed dances, and heartwarming moments only the queen of pop can deliver. Watching a Madonna concert will definitely take you into another realm where profanities were encouraged, erotica was commonplace, and religious imagery was an acquired taste.
At the close, the queen of pop performed “Holiday” to a highly enthused audience while the Philippine flag draped on her shoulders. I left the concert feeling satisfied and with much respect for the material girl amidst all the controversy. All of us who came to see the show wanted a piece of Madonna and we got it. Who am I to complain?