More MJ Memories

I thought I’d write about something other than Michael Jackson today. But I kept getting messages about the guy via text, e-mail and the philstar blog. He is really a great loss to the world and I thought it might help ease this feeling of sadness around us if I put out these messages.

From mushymushroon: Since Michael just passed away, I am looking forward for your next article. Hopefully you can share something about the concert he had here in the Philippines. If I am not mistaken I think that was in Parañaque. I was too young then and I dunno how it was when he was here. The only thing I can remember is the Bubble Gang spoof of his concert, they were selling his sweat, hair and stuff, t’was funny. Also how do you think Jackson influenced us Pinoys in terms of musicality and dancing during the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s, coz man I’ve seen tons of documentaries about him but of course not in the Pinoy point of view.

From yuckyyucky2: I love Michael but his concert here was one of the worst experiences in my life. I had to walk a long way to get to the lot and back. Hirap pa sumakay dahil magpapasko. I spent P5,000 of hard-earned money dahil baka makalapit ako. Higpit ng security but I saw a lot of people in the buildings around watching the concert for free. But I still love Michael. He was the greatest. Ano masasabi mo?

Hi mushymush and yuckyyucky2: Thank you for your interest in what I think about Michael. Since I was sure that Michael’s life and music would be pretty much covered by other writers and that a lot of Pinoys would be writing about his HiStory concert, I decided not to do those anymore. But you are right, it was held on December, 1996, in Parañaque, in the reclamation area along Manila Bay which became the site of Mall of Asia. It was huge, with about 40,000 people and Michael was great.

From vicONGASis: Some of us older guys were fortunate to see Michael when he appeared with the Jackson 5 in the noontime show Student Canteen. I was about six or seven years old at the time. One lucky Filipino was able to give Michael a warm hug when he won the MJ of the Philippines contest: Bobby Dulay. How I wish someone had the business sense to keep in storage a copy of MJ’s first ever appearance in RP.

 From howlindave: The winner of the Student Canteen search for Michael Jackson of the Philippines, which MJ personally picked was Bobby Montojo. Hope I got his name right. He did a rocky billy song of Michael’s.

I loved MJ when he was younger. He was already an icon when he visited the country in the early ‘70s. I loved it when he did slow songs like Ben. Yes, you are right. His lost years as a child did him in. It made him dislike the color of his skin. But he was one of the greatest artists of all time so every time he is onstage, all hell broke loose for his millions of fans, who don’t give a damn about his troubled life backstage. Rest in peace Michael.

From baklita: I love his songs, One Day in Your Life, Happy, Music and Me, Thriller, Billie Jean and others. I was playing Michael’s music when I heard the tragic news on TV. Ayokong bigyan ng kahulugan kung bakit namatay si Michael habang pinapatugtog ko ang awitin niya. Ang masasabi ko lamang ay itutuloy at ini-enjoy ko pa rin ang pakikinig sa kanyang mga kansyon, noh! Aihihihi!!!”

From angiep: I worked at the Manila Hilton in 1976 and the Jackson 5 stayed there when they had concerts in the Philippines. They were nice boys, naughty at times but nothing bad. Their father, Papa Joe was also a nice man. They gave pictures and autographs to all of us.

Hi vicONGASis, howlindave, angiep and baklita: Some confusion here. I have been told that the Jackson 5 actually visited early in their careers. I do not recall if it was for a show or just to promote an album but they did appear in Student Canteen and the boy who won sang Rockin Robin.

Or maybe this was for their Live Jive concert in February 1976. Whatever. They were touring for the Dancing Machine album. They did one show at the Folk Arts Theater and two more at the Araneta. Jermaine had already gone solo. Marlon, Jackie, Tito, Michael and Randy came with their Dad, whom everybody called Papa Joe. No burly bodyguards kept the fans away and the boys were nice to everybody.

Michael was 17, tall and thin in his body fitting knit shirt. He was very shy and seemed to be hiding under his huge Afro. He even found time to visit Laguna and Pagsanjan to have something new to write about and submit to his teacher back home. There were talks about MJ doing a movie here with either Nora Aunor or Vilma Santos. That never happened. Truth to tell, it was his last tour with his brothers. He hooked up with Quincy Jones when he got back to work on his solo album. He left the Motown label and signed up with CBS. He also got a nose job. And a few years later he released Off the Wall. He was on his way to becoming a legend.

From joc927: MJ started working at an early age, earned millions of dollars and made his family rich. A child who lost his childhood, a son whose father used to call him, ugly. This was the reason why he changed his looks. I don’t blame him if ever he hated his father during his younger days.

From BladeRunner: Whether you are a fan or not of Michael Jackson, one cannot simply ignore his immense talent as an artist/performer. He is definitely one of the most or probably the most entertaining performer of all time.

From websurfer: With all the controversies surrounding him, we can’t deny the fact that he was a great artist. Love his classic songs I’ll Be There, Ben, Rockin’ Robin, ABC, and for his solo, the first thing that comes to mind other than Thriller would be You Are Not Alone. I might not be a big fan of his personal life but I’m a huge fan of his music and creativity. RIP MJ...

From morpheus: Michael Jackson once said: I’d rather die like Elvis Presley than Marlon Brando. He got his wish. Rest in peace, Michael.

From shimada: I love Michael Jackson. He’ll always be in my heart. May he rest in peace. May he find the peace and happiness he never had when he was still alive.

From maranatha: Goodbye, Michael! King of Pop! May the force be with you!