No, nobody can hold us down

“Letting them know we’re gonna stand our ground

Lift your hands high and wave them proud

Take a deep breath and say it loud

Never can, never will, can’t hold us down

Nobody can hold us down” — CHRISTINA AGUILERA,

Can’t Hold us Down

Once upon a time, the Filipino audience was labeled “dead” because they would sit still during concerts. That time has come and gone.

And now that the younger generation of Filipino music lovers is actually comfortable enough in their own skin to express themselves (i.e. to dance and groove and not just stare at the stage like some kind of unfeeling person), concert policy tells us one thing: “sit down and enjoy the show!” It is like they are trying to bring back the old sit-like-a-log during concerts culture.

The night was perfect. We were at the Fort open field with our umbrellas but it didn’t rain. Then suddenly there she was .... a petite lady with tremendous stage presence who looked like a pretty Barbie doll with her platinum blond hair on stage. Even with a baby bump, she was giving it her all, performing like an energizer bunny with an incredible voice coming from I don’t know where. Whenever the introduction of a new Christina song would play, I would look at my friend Lorenz and ask him, “Is it time to dance yet?” So finally when an upbeat number played, I stood up but the concert security dude told me I wasn’t allowed to stand up because the people behind me wouldn’t be able to see the stage. To which my friends responded, “bawal sumayaw?”

I actually applaud the security for trying to uphold this policy because they didn’t have the authority to change it. The guy did not make up the rules. He was just doing his job and to him I say “peace, kuya.” I tried to be nice and I even thought of an alternative. I asked him if there was a place where we could dance and not obstruct the view of the other paying audience. He said there was none.

The second time we stood up to dance the security came back and said, “Ma’am sorry po... (sumunod ka na dahil kung hindi) mapapagalitan ako.” Slightly embarrassed I did this little dance going down to seated position until my behind hit my chair. I asked him if I could stand in the aisle since I wouldn’t block anyone’s view and he said, “Mamaya po.” With that semi-approval I stood up each time I felt like it and sat down when the bouncer would approach.

On a personal note, there was a time when I found it so hard to actually stand up and dance. I’m sure that a lot of people can relate to this. I’ve had my share of “K.J.” (kill joy) moments. Those were moments that I regret. Now that I’ve come to the point in my life where I actually have enough courage and confidence to raise my arms up, close my eyes and feel the music I wanted to make the most of my experience.

Of course it is probably just my imagination but I know that Christina kept going to our side of the audience because the girls beside us screamed their lungs out and she could see us having a blast. As a performer I know how that is… I usually have my favorite spot in the audience and it is where I draw my energy from. And seeing her wave at us made me wanna fight for her… we fought for you Christina… kahit bawal sumayaw sa concert mo.

When Christina sang Lady Marmalade from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack I knew everyone would stand up and they did. The crowd went wild. It was funny because even then, the bouncer went straight to me but backed off after realizing that everyone else was already up on their feet.

After that song number people sat down as our star changed her costume.  (She did so about seven times!) They were playing some great tunes and we stood up again. Two security men in the front signaled me to sit down at which point I couldn’t help myself anymore and I screamed out “This is not a play, this is a concert!” Plus the nature of Christina’s act is very different from a rock concert wherein they have to control the mosh pit to prevent some kind of stampede. It is highly unlikely for some kind of riot to explode with people simply... dancing and enjoying her vocal gymnastics.

After that memorable night, I posted my pictures and my Christina concert experience on my blog and I found out that a lot of people shared my sentiments! I heard that even my Tito Gary V’s family was being made to sit down despite their desire to party! I learned that people were even complaining on the radio. Everyone is in agreement that Christina’s performance was awesome. Most were amazed that she sang her songs live perfectly even with her complicated dance routines. I would go as far as saying she’s the best performer I’ve ever seen but in the same breath we just wish we were able to enjoy her music more freely.

All my life, I have always been the “obedient one” but when someone tells me that I can’t stand up and dance in an open field concert I have one thing to say, if I am not allowed to stand on the floor, I’ll just stand on my chair.