Philippines-UK Friendship Concert 2016: Libera in Manila
Although the Libera Choir has been to the Philippines over five times already, this was the very first Libera concert I've ever been to my entire life. I first heard of the British all-boys choir back in 2011 when they went to the Philippines for their concert. I wanted to go that time, however, the tickets were already sold out. They came back to the Philippines in 2013, however, I was very busy at that time, and did not have the chance to see them.
Last December 2015, it was announced that Libera will be having a Valentine's Concert on February 16, 2016. I did not think twice. I was sure I wanted to go, and I will not miss this chance of seeing them again. However, I was afraid that my parents would not approve because the concert will be held on a Tuesday, which means that I have school the next day. But when I told them about the concert, they said I could go, but they have to go with me. We went to the nearest ticketing outlet in our house and purchased three tickets. The countdown to the 16th of February for me began.
The Libera boys also did a daily video countdown to concert on Libera Philippines Facebook page eight days before their Valentine's Concert in Manila.
Luckily, the week of the Libera Concert was our school's Intramurals, so, there were no academics. However, I was going to play Football for the whole week, and I was quite worried that on the day of the concert, I will be so exhausted that I would not enjoy.
It was the day of the concert, and in school, I wasn't thinking of anything else but the concert. I even opened my phone from time to time to check Twitter and Facebook updates, which had me really anxious and wanting to leave school already. I was very excited because I will finally get to see them sing my favorite songs such as 'Stay With Me', 'Exsultate', and, of course, 'Bayan Ko' in front of me. I just waited for the second day of our Intramurals in school to end and just go to the PICC to relax and listen to the Angelic Voices.
Finally, at 3:30pm, we were dismissed from school. Before my parents could pick me up so that we could head to the PICC all together, my friends told me to enjoy the concert and tell the boys they said hi, because they like their music as well. My legs hurt so bad from playing Football and it was extremely traffic on the way to PICC so, I had to change inside the car and fix myself there, which was tough. I literally screamed when my mom said we were finally at the PICC. In the lobby, they were also selling Libera merchandise such as mugs, caps and shirts.
My parents and I were seated far away from each other. I was seated near Yuki, a Libera fan from Japan, whom I recognised. She was with her mom and friends from Japan. At first, I was shy to talk to Yuki, but I decided to approach her and talk to her anyway. She was very nice and really friendly.
The first person I saw who stepped out of the backstage was Joshua Madine, who was part of the choir when he was younger and now plays the piano. I was surprised. I could not believe Josh was right across me.
Here are the Tour Members...
*newbie
There were 28 boys singing:
-Marc Alvares
-Shay Balsekar
-Leo Barron
-Ciaran Bradbury-Hickey
-Merlin Brouwer
-Benedict Bywater
-Gabriel Collins
-Henry Cullinan-Hollihead*
-Tadgh Fitzgerald
-Alexander Gula
-Adam Izghouti
-Peter Kielty*
-Timothy Lee
-Isaac London
-Gregor Lumsden*
-Alessandro Mackinnon-Botti
-Matthew Madine
-James Menezes
-Michael Menezes
-Alexander Montoro
-Mathias Montoro*
-Oliver Mycka
-Arthur Palmer*
-Taichi Shinokubo
-Camden Stewart
-Rocco Tesei
-Samuel Wiggin
-Finn Wood*
-Lucas Wood
Staff:
Robert Prizeman- Musical Director
Steven Geraghty- Assistant Musical Director & Stage Director
Sam Coates- Assistant Musical Director & Stage Director
Joshua Madine, Eimear McGeown, Jon Ormston- Libera Musicians
Kavana Crossley and Eoghan McCarthy- Stage Managers
Andrew Winter- Production Co-ordinator
Luke Avery- Lighting Director
Eleanor Lewis & Barbara Geraghty- Libera Co-ordinator & Chaperons
Here is the Program:
1. Joyful Joyful, We Adore Thee
2. Sanctus
- Of course, Libera would not be complete without this song. 'Sanctus' is one of Libera's special pieces.
- The last "Sanctus" was done by Merlin.
3. The Prayer
- Isaac never fails to surprise people with his powerful voice.
4. Salva Me
- This is one of my favorite Libera songs. I listen to this song every time I feel scared or every time I ask help from God.
- Alex M did the high salvas for this song.
5. Stay With Me
- This is my favorite Libera song!!!
- This song is the reason why I fell in love with Libera.
- Merlin did the solo for this song and Taichi did the high notes.
6. Wexford Carol
7. Amazing Grace
8. How Great Thou Art
9. Angel
10. Exsultate
- This is my second favorite song after 'Stay With Me'.
- Lucas did the solo for this song, and it was absolutely perfect!!!
Interval
*Lucas did not appear after the Interval. I heard he was not feeling so good.
11. Orinoco Flow
- Inside the car on the way to the PICC, my parents asked me if the boys are going to sing this song. I said they usually do when they come to the Philippines. That's when my parents told me that this song has a special place in their hearts, because 'Orinoco Flow' is the song my dad used to sing for my mom when he was courting her back when they were in College (aww, haha).
12. Angels We Have Heard On High
13. Song of Life
- Solo was by Ciaran.
14. Wayfaring Stranger
- Alessandro did the solo.
15. Wonderful World
16. Sacris Solemnis
17. Nearer My God To Thee
- Since Lucas was not feeling well and he was the one who's supposed to do the solo, they did not do this song :(
19. Usahay
- This was a surprise number
- Before the boys sang this song, they apologized in advance if the audience does not understand the pronunciation because they said they only rehearsed this song a few days before the concert.
20. Libera
- Alessandro did the solo for 'Libera'.
- I suddenly remember Liam Connery, who used to sing in the choir. He used to be the one doing the solo for this song when he was younger. Liam is one of my favourite Libera members, and so as Alessandro.
Encore- Bayan Ko
- This song is what made the Philippines fall in love with Libera. I gotta say, the Philippines once more fell in love with these boys, for this traditional Philippine song touched their hearts.
- Before they sang this song, they said this was their final goodbye, but it won't be for long :)
(Taking pictures and recording are not allowed. I couldn't help it, so, I waited until the end of the show before I took photos of the boys from my seat, lol...)
After the show was the Meet and Greet.
The line was very long, of course, but luckily it moves really fast. The Meet and Greet started at around 11:00pm, and while waiting, my parents kept on reminding me that I still have school the next day, and I didn't worry so much (hehe). My friends even asked me if I am going to school, and I said "of course! I mean, why not?!". They were thinking that I might have this "Post-Concert Depression" that I normally get after attending a concert and that I will be too depressed to go to school, or that because I might get home pretty late, I might not have the energy to go, but I had to.
Anyway, while waiting, I also get to meet one of my favorite members, who is now a staff, Eoghan McCarthy. I had a chance to chat with him, ask him how does it feel being back in the Philippines and stuff, hehe...
Finally, here are some the members (unfortunately, I didn't have a pic with the other members because they had to rush the Meet and Greet.)
with Isaac and Ciaran
my dad with Isaac and Ciaran (he has his arm around Isaac...not even sure if he's allowed to do that, lol!)
Merlin Brouwer
my mom's pic of Taichi (I told her to take a picture of Taichi and I, but she said she couldn't help taking a solo picture of him because he was so cute, lol)
chatting with him, hehe :D
Merlin Brouwer
my mom's pic of Taichi (I told her to take a picture of Taichi and I, but she said she couldn't help taking a solo picture of him because he was so cute, lol)
chatting with him, hehe :D
with Alessandro
with Alessandro (again) and Shay
with Matthew and Henry (newbie)...apparently, Matthew and I have the same birthday
with Sam
chatting with Tim
Camden was very nice
Here are some of the photos I took on the night of the concert...
my dad and I
my parents had a great night
That's all for my Philippines-UK Friendship Concert 2016: Libera in Manila Blog. Although this blog is sort of late, I had a really great time that night. I really do hope they come back one day. I am looking forward to their next concert here in the Philippines.
"We know from past experience that we shall all experience the very special warm Philippine welcome and thank you once more for making us feel at home so far from home!" -Libera
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