MANILA, Philippines - Days of protests and several attempts to censor her “Born This Way Ball” could not restrain pop singer and songwriter Lady Gaga – but they did bring her close to tears during her May 21st sold-out concert in Manila.
Straddling a motorcycle-piano with a Philippine flag on its bumper, an emotional Gaga responded to criticisms of her music and appearance.
“All the things that I sing about and the way that I am, my lifestyle, is just part of this one big giant life performance-sized statement of liberation,” she said.
In fishnet stockings and butt-flaunting black leotard, the controversial performer said, “So many people have been protesting, and it really doesn’t bother me, truly, because I know there has to be change. For all those kids all over the world who take their lives when they’re so young because they feel bullied, or they’re afraid because they’re gay and they don’t want to tell anybody – don’t you think that some of us should f*cking stand up and speak the g*ddamn truth?”
Explaining that the point of her music is not about the clothes or having hit records, Lady Gaga said she just wants to reveal the truth so that people can feel valuable, proud and free to be who they are.
“The difference between rebels and non-conformists is that non-conformists don’t take action, (they just get) pissed off when things don’t go their way,” she said.
She said the night’s concert wasn’t about making a statement, but Gaga being the self-proclaimed rebel that she is, could not help but thumb her nose at the critics and censors who sought to sanitize her show.
Shortly after she said, “I am not a creature of your government, Manila,” the provocative singer launched into the opening verse of her song, “Judas,” the most contested track off her “Born This Way” album.
Several Christian groups have condemned the song as immoral, blasphemous and anti-Christ. They even staged a protest near the venue while the concert was ongoing.
Her taste in clothing has also been criticized as indecent.
While many of her concert costumes were risque – a slightly sheer, skin-tone, plastic-like number she wore for “Born This Way,” as well as a handful of leotards – they were no worse than the outfits worn by models and celebrities gracing local magazine covers every month.
Some of her clothes were more than decent and could even be considered works of art.
A pale pink origami plane dress, which she wore during her performance of her very first hit, “Just Dance,” and a very Filipiniana-looking frock she wore for “Bloody Mary” top the list of her most beautiful show garments.
Not to be outdone, however, hardcore Gaga fans in the audience wore outfits inspired by the singer’s eccentric fashion, both on the red carpet and in her music videos.
Little monsters – Gaga’s term of endearment for her fans – tried to outshine one another in balloon, bubble-wrap and stuffed animal gowns, sky-high wigs in every shade imaginable, bright almost-stage makeup and dangerously high heels.
Yet, even garbed in the flashiest of costumes, the fans still failed to steal the spotlight from their idol.
People stopped noticing the girl with crime scene tape wrapped around her hair or the guy with a cage on his head the minute the curtain dropped.
Sheer talent
Many concerts have featured amazing stages with hydraulics, fireworks, rotating aerial contraptions and fantastic set design, but still Gaga takes the cake.
Perched on top of the elevated stage was a castle, which opened and closed like a dollhouse.
Separate rooms housed the members of her band – including guitarist Ricky Tillo, a Filipino who has been with Gaga for the past three years.
Complete with towers and moving platforms on which Gaga gyrated with her scantily clad dancers, the castle-stage served as home to the singer-songwriter for the two hours she tirelessly performed.
But beyond the fancy stage and the over-the-top clothes and props, it was Gaga’s performance that really sold the show.
Singing a total of 22 songs, including her biggest hits, but mostly from her third studio album, Gaga did not stop at all during the concert.
She was never offstage long enough for anything but a quick costume change – the girl has stamina like the Energizer bunny.
Talent-wise, she’s not the best piano and guitar player in the world. Neither is she the best singer, songwriter or dancer.
But considering that she can actually sing, write, dance, play piano and guitar – quite well, truthfully – it’s not surprising that she became famous in spite – or maybe, because – of her sometimes-offensive peculiarities.
The sheer heart she pours into her show is palpable. Her performance of her single “Hair” brought some in the audience close to tears, while her concert versions of her danceable tunes – notably “Bad Romance” and “Americano” – were predictably better than the studio originals.
She even succeeded in making “Telephone” sound good sans the undeniably superior vocals of Beyonc Knowles.
Though it seems debatable, especially after seeing her in non-stop action, Lady Gaga still insisted, “I am not an alien.”
“I am you, little monsters. Tonight’s not about making a statement. Tonight is about us all coming together because we believe we were all born this way. This is a singular moment, a moment for us to share, to forget about everything else and just dance,” she said.
No stopping Gaga
Meanwhile, Pasay City Mayor Tony Calixto said there was no need to cancel the special permit issued for the Lady Gaga concert because no violations were reported on the first show at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. “We found no violation of the special permit, there was neither nudity nor holy symbol,” he said in a statement.
The mayor said that although some of the statements and choreography were provocative, the context of the presentation was considered part of the realm of protected expression guaranteed by the Constitution.
“Moreover, during the concert she (Lady Gaga) did not desecrate or offend any particular religion or belief,” Calixto said.
The city government has deployed a team of inspectors to monitor the show after former Manila mayor Lito Atienza and lawyer Romulo Macalintal expressed concern over what they called satanic songs and verses that might be part of the show.
Atienza and Macalintal threatened to file charges against Lady Gaga if she performs acts contrary to religious beliefs of the Filipino people.
The city government and producer of the concert have agreed on no nudity and use of religious symbols during the concert. – Perseus Echeminada