Two (or three) concerts of the year within one week

Music fans got a double dose last week. Okay, let me correct that by saying multiple musical orgasms. Manila had the best of both worlds — celebrating a local icon’s silver year, and welcoming two multi-platinum recording artists. Gary V reigned supreme at the Araneta Coliseum while Chris Brown and Rihanna did a back-to-back concert in Taguig. Both broke records, both were maniacal milestones in the local and international entertainment scene. To borrow from Barack, “Yes, we can.”

 Yes we can stage concerts with international stars of such magnitude and succeed at it. Did you know that we are second to Tokyo in bidding for these foreign artists, that we even almost always outbid Seoul, Korea in getting these acts to our shores? This is show business after all, and the highest bidder always takes the cake. At least for this week, we got to have our cake and eat it, too.

 So what’s the formula for a successful concert? I spoke to Francis Lumen, recipient of our He Supreme Award for this year’s Supreme to the Extreme Awards. He is the main man behind MTV, the music maven responsible for bringing into our shores the best and the brightest that the musical world has to offer. I know Sec. Ace Durano is doing a great job, but I think Francis Lumen is more than qualified to be DOT secretary — Department of Trade and Traffic Control, that is.

Okay, tourism, too. Why? “We say it with pride that the Philippines is only Asian country able to stage both artists in a one-night-only show this year. These artists then serve as ambassadors of goodwill since their coming here would attract other foreign artists to visit us. This would be a good push for our tourism,” said Francis Lumen.

When I grow up, I want to be Francis Lumen. This is entertainment and pop culture history, guys and dolls. After the most anticipated concert of Rihanna and Chris Brown Live in Taguig last Nov. 16 at the Bonifacio Global City open field, nothing is going to be the same again. Not unless Madonna comes to our shores. Paging Francis, paging MTV…

With more than 60,000 people flocking to the Globe ballooned area in Taguig to see Rihanna and Chris Brown, I spotted Mayor Freddie Tinga playing dad to his adorable kids — proof that everything was under control. He’d be the first one to panic if the concert was a disorganized mess, you know. And mind you, he was just comfortably seated at the bleachers, while McDonald’s chair and now acclaimed tenor-slash-taipan George Yang was situated by the mosh pit, accompanied by his grandson, who wanted to be where the action was. Yes, it was hot, as we are in tropical Philippines. Some people went there as early as 4 p.m. just to be assured of a good spot, and even when they knew that they were gonna be standing up the whole time, it was fine. I went with a group of 20 people, Team Supreme, winners of our readers contest, and my favorite girls Rihanna Divine Lee, Rihanna Claudine Trillo, Rihanna Phoemela Baranda, Rihanna Jenni Epperson, and Rihanna Charina Sarte.

Mtv Security Blanket

Given the size of the venue and Globe and MTV’s desire to make it a secure and enjoyable event for the fans of Rihanna and Chris Brown, it seemed like all precautions were taken. When I go to an event, I look at everything through an “eventologist’s” eye, I check out the logistics, security, scale and systems, and all other measures to ensure the crowd is safe. Hey, when the country’s most affluent kids, celebrities, personaliites, politicians, media, and most everyone else are present, you gotta be sure that you are ready.

My source (okay, my bouncers at Embassy) said that during their pre-concert briefing, that MTV hired 1,020 security personnel who joined forces to keep everything manageable. These security team, composed of Globe Security Group, Fort Bonifacio DC Security Group, Taguig PNP Force and the Event Security and bouncers, was properly oriented and given strict instructions to implement the security measures during the concert. I myself have done events with the Ayala group, and for them, safety and security are of utmost importance. 

This, aside from 26 first-aid stations, strategically positioned all over the concert venue. “We made sure that it is readily accessible to anyone, should there be an accident or an emergency,” said Conrad Castañeda, Front of House manager of the concert. He also said that the 83 reported minor injuries, approximately 0.001 percent of all who watched the show, was attended to immediately and effectively. Among the reported minor injuries attended to were exhaustion and a need for an insulin shot. I personally assisted my niece, who got a little bit dizzy, but all she needed was a glass of water, and she was fine and ready for Rihanna. 

I have to confess that despite my self-proclaimed mastery of pop culture, I don’t know Chris Brown well. Okay, I hear his songs in the club, but I can’t say I’m a fan. Until he performed. Chris Brown started off with his upbeat set with Forever, Kiss Kiss, Gimme That and Picture Perfect and followed up with his hits Say Goodbye, With You and No Air. Michael Jackson’s Rock With You, Billy Jean and Thriller were given a new twist with Chris Brown’s own rendition. Some people said that he may have been lipsynching some numbers, but I didn’t notice anything as everyone was having a ball dancing with this world-renowned performer. 

After a grand fireworks display and a 30-minute break, Rihanna’s set followed with Disturbia, Pon De Replay, Don’t Stop the Music, Shut up, and Drive which kept everyone on their feet. She also slowed things down a bit with Unfaithful, Hate that I Love You So, Rehab and Take a Bow. She thanked her fans for being such an awesome audience and ended the show with Chris Brown with Umbrella, the only song I know by heart because I sang it once on SOP. Okay, kill me now. 

The Town’s Hottest Ticket

So how did this show become the hottest international concert event this year? MTV reveals its secrets. “First, the concert was readily available for everyone. Tickets were reasonably priced since it gets you in two concerts for the price of one. Ninety percent of the tickets were already sold two weeks preceding the show with the help of the Early Bird Rate. Sponsors also came out with their own promos to extend the Early Bird Rate for their subscribers and their regulars. These promos helped ticket buyers get their tickets on a discount and added business to the sponsors,” shared marketing genius Francis Lumen.  

I look at traffic in a different light. It heightens my excitement in getting to the venue, because I am somehow always late. Yes, I missed the opening number, but so what? I’m sure so did Tessa Prieto-Valdes, my partner in late arrivals. Traffic congestion was, of course, anticipated. Roughly 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles were going to and from the venue at the same time. But since the management team foresaw this, they prepared for it, studying routes that would manage the flow of traffic. “Traffic advisories were disseminated prior the concert. Four days before the show, traffic advisory signages were installed at the vicinity of the concert venue to inform motorists where they can and can’t pass,” my friend who lives in Serendra can attest to this. Other parents and friends who didn't have tickets chose to dine within the vicinity of Serendra and the Fort while waiting for the concert to end.

The organizers have also released it in the newspapers to have the advisories reach those who do not typically pass the Fort. No major accident was reported and no road rage happened, a confirmation that everything was managed and directed properly. Team Supreme organized our own impromptu after-party at Cuisine and we had the time of our lives with all of us playing Chris and Rihanna. Standouts were KC Concecpcion, Anne Curtis, and Belle Daza, wearing the most glittery dress you can ever imagine, and Jessica Wilson, in a nude corset. This, aside from all the other Rihannas I mentioned above.