Marc Abaya rocks the night, pokes fun at Napoles rumor at 7107 music fest

CLARK FIELD, PAMPANGA – In an event that has seen its fair share of online scrutiny, Marc Abaya of the band Kjwan said “haters are good.”

During their set at Day One of the 7107 International Music Festival at the Global Gateway Logistics City in Pampanga on Saturday, February 22, the rocker-actor made an apparent dig addressed to critics of the event. Although he didn't name names, the joke was an apparent reference to those linking the said event to controversial figure Janet Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam.

Earlier, event organizers already addressed the issue, explaining they got the funds for the event through personal financiers from family, event sponsors (namely Smart and its music streaming service Spinnr and fashion brands Vans and Guess), and concessionaires, among others.

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“Ladies and gentlemen, we made it to 7107!” Abaya said. “You are here. And you guys know what’s going on online, you guys know all about it.”

He adds, “But you know what? You (expletive) are here! Those (expletive) are gonna see your pictures!”

“Haters make you feel better about yourself. You need haters. Haters are good,” Abaya said.

Abaya’s Kjwan is perhaps the biggest and most-anticipated local act who performed on Saturday at the 7107 second stage (their set ran adjacent to the set of foreign act Alvaro, who performed at the main stage). The band’s frontman seems to be aware of this fact as he addressed his audience—sizable despite “competing” with another act—between songs.

The band began their 45 minute set with their 2007 song “Invitation.” Kjwan also performed their early hit “One Look.”

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“When I see Anthony (Kiedis) and Flea (vocalist and bassist of band Red Hot Chili Peppers), I’m gonna French kiss those (expletive),” he quipped in between songs.

Day Two of the 7107 music fest on Sunday, February 23 will feature bigger acts. Aside from the event’s big three foreigners—the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Empire of the Sun, and Kendrick Lamar—it will also see performances by local acts such as Itchyworms and Up Dharma Down (on the main stage) and Radioactive Sago Project and Spongecola (on the second stage).

Celebrities spotted during Day of the music fest include Rhian Ramos and KC Montero, Geoff Eigenmann, Lauren Young, Daniel Matsunaga, Divine Lee and Victor Basa, Felix and Dominic Roco, and Billy Crawford, among others.