My #EXO’rDIUMinManila Experience
I wanted to write this because I can’t contain the feels and I have to let it out. This is a bit long so please bear with it. XD
So here goes the story. In my previous article in my blog entitled “Pains of a fan girl” (never mind the title), I stated there that I can no longer attend the EXO’rDIUM in Manila. It’s because I totally lost hope—as in TOTALLY—and I am already indulging myself in self-pity.
It was January 25th and I was like “Today’s the day,” but here I am (to think that I am from Bicol and the concert is in Manila) in my bed, re-watching their random videos because it’s only through those that I can see them. And then there’s my Facebook news feed that goes all about EXO’rDIUM in Manila—girl, it’s a torture.
At around 4:00 P.M. (of January 25), someone I know, my cousin, has offered me a ticket for Day 2. And me be like “…” because I don’t really know what to do. I am not even prepared and I don’t even have my mom’s permission. She isn’t against it really, me attending the concert. It’s just that we are not rich, and I am taking up my internship this summer and we’re going to need money for that. It’s about setting priorities.
Thing is, I promised that I have to attend their concert this time no matter what since I didn’t make it to EXO’luXion last year, so I saved up even just for a General Admission ticket. GenAd is far from the stage, so people are telling me to just watch videos or fancams instead of availing it. But you know, the feeling will still be different if you are actually there.
Though I saved enough money, I still didn’t get the permission. Instead, I was just told to reserve it for more important matters. I cannot do anything about it.
But I thought I had to be there—I want to be there—so I made one of the the toughest decisions I could ever make. It was a very last minute decision. I packed my things, got my savings, and prepared myself for everything that will happen after. For now, my decision is final and there is no turning back.
5:27 P.M. and I was on the bus. My mom didn’t know since she is currently in Bulacan. No one else knew about it except me that time. I’m aching, too, knowing that this is the biggest disobedience I’ve done to my mom. But like I said, there is no turning back. I will deal with the consequences later on.
You might be thinking bad about me right now but I promise you, you will understand me after reading this article.
I’m in the bus when I posted in facebook that I am travelling to Araneta Coliseum. Geez. It’s too late when I realized that was a stupid move. I was too excited with the concert I forgot I’m not supposed to attend that. It was supposed to be a secret for now but, err.
(Don’t mind my photo. I look awkward there ‘cause my body looks so big. #VeryWrongAngling I sent it to my friends as evidence that I’m on the bus, but actually, that photo was taken last January when I came back from vacation in Bulacan. SML. :P)
And then my cousin (this is different from the one who has a ticket) left a comment on that post. That cousin is with my mom in Bulacan. I’m so dead. So I chat him not to tell mom yet. He told me I’ll get screwed when she finds out. I know that, too. Then few hours later, I decided to tell my sister about it, me going to EXOrDIUM. She said the same thing my cousin said, but she accepted it in the end. And she even actually told me why did I have to keep it from her. (She’s an EXO-L, too, so don’t wonder why she even sounded like she would still have supported me whatever my decision is. LOL. Actually, it might’ve been the two of us going to the concert if she isn’t in her work.)
I feel bad, yes. But I just think that this is only now and I’m never doing it again. Is it wrong if I choose to just cherish the moment?
At around three in the morning of January 26th (the Day 2 of EXOrDIUM), I arrived in Araneta Bus Station. I stayed there till the sun is up. I had nowhere to go, anyway. I can’t go to my auntie which is just near the Araneta Coliseum (the concert venue) because I’m afraid mom will find out.
I looked for a C.R. to change clothes. No bathing. I mean, it’s not like I have a choice so don’t judge. And besides, I don’t smell. LOL.
I just waited for my cousin (who has the ticket) outside the Coliseum. It was around lunchtime. We thought we should go there as early as we can to avoid any hassle. When she’s arrived, I finally got the ticket in my hand. I decided to forget what my problems are and just focus on the concert.
I met new EXO-L friends and had fun with them while waiting for the event venue to open. It really is nice talking to people who shares the same interest with you.
There were so many people around and seeing them gathered together for this one event makes me so happy. I was even happier that I was part of that crowd.
It’s really thrilling on my part the moment I’m only few steps away from the entrance. Geez. That’s the start of “THIS IS IT” moment. When I was on my seat, I looked at the stage. I did not have any regret for that last minute decision because I know I can still see my babies from GenAd row. I’m shocked to find out that it’s not that far the stage after all. Then I looked around. I smiled as I realized I will get to see the silver ocean that I missed last year.
The venue was so full of excited faces and auras. I felt so proud as we waited patiently. Of course, the venue was noisy due to thousands of EXO-Ls cheering and excitement. Then the event started. I can’t move first when the boys entered the stage. I can’t believe I’m seeing them and I’m in close proximity with them. Not the literal close proximity as in real close, what I mean is that we are in the same place at the same time. And right at that moment, my favourite place was the Araneta Coliseum.
When I’ve finally recovered from shock, I joined the crowd from screaming to the point that I thought I’m gonna lose my vocal cords. I was so touched by their messages, and their “I love you’s” and “Saranghae’s” made my decision more worth it.
I thought it’s only through music/audios that I’ll get to sing with them. Memorizing their songs by heart is not a waste of time—it never have been and never will be—especially now that they have acknowledged and appreciated it.
Seeing your idols sing, dance, and play around live? Believe me, that’s a scene that would really break your heart once you’ve missed. I am so thankful—so much thankful—that I am one of the thousand lucky fans to witness that.
To my friends (who’s also into EXO) who got shocked when they knew I’m on my way to Manila for EXO’rDIUM, hello. :) Just like what you’ve asked, I have sent your love to them together with mine. Anyway, I just wanna share that the Audio Visual Presentation (AVP) was amazing—the subtitles are swag. The concert was a a real, total blast!
Their voices? I still can’t believe I’m hearing it live. Their dancing? I still can’t believe I’m witnessing it live. Their figures? I still can’t believe I’m seeing it live. Their playfulness? Their jokes? Their speaking? Their messages? I still can’t believe everything is real.
How I wish I have Tao’s time control power so that I could stop the time, or even just slow it up, so that I could be with EXO longer. But of course, I don’t have that that ability. The concert has to end whether I like it or not.
The moment they’re bidding thank you’s and goodbye’s was saddening. But I am still glad that we, PH EXO-Ls, made them happy again like how they made us happy, too.
As soon as they exit the stage, I was ready to exit the coliseum, too, thinking that I will leave this place with memories that I will cherish forever. That three hours with them may be short, but I am contented.
And now, the concert was over and I’m going back home. And as I go back home, I’ll also go back to reality that ‘me going to EXOrDIUM’ is not real and I just did this as my defense mechanism so that ‘me not going to EXOrDIUM’ wouldn’t be that heartbreaking.
To my friends (Joana Emberga, Nica Joy Agripa, Claire Bregania, Makerz Sasota, Yodel Berdin, etc.) who really believed I attended the concert, I love you all. I have the ‘pasalubongs’ and souvenirs you were asking for. Just get it to me on Monday.
To my cousin, Jayson Malacad, who really didn’t tell my mom I’m attending the concert because I asked him not to, thank you. To my sister, Angie Altavano, thank you for understanding me when I told you I was currently on the way to Araneta and I didn’t tell our mom about it. Thank you also for really keeping it a secret. You guys have proven your loyalty. LOL. I love you both.
Sorry for fooling around, guys. Anyway, this is how I came up with this crazy idea (BTW, I did not plan it at first but you actually bought it so, yeah). I just posted in Facebook that I am travelling to Araneta Coliseum for Day 2 concert because I am upset and just so I can lessen the disappointment I am feeling. But you guys reacted to it and actually believed that I will go. And that thought somewhat made me feel better (you know, I was really upset when I found out GenAd is just near the stage) because somehow, I felt like I really am going to the concert even though I’m not. Right now, I am thinking that it made me feel better because it got me distracted. Your enthusiasm and excitement got me carried away that I almost forgot I am a #TeamBahay, too.
And just to clarify it, I don’t have that cousin who has a ticket. It’s just imaginary.
To my mom, I love you. Of course I’m sad you didn’t allow me to the concert but I understand it. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t disobey you even if I wanted so much to watch. Just please, will you already allow me if ever another EXO concert is still possible? #EXOplanet4 :)
That’s all. So, this is my EXO concert experience. What’s yours?
(Concert photos grabbed from facebook. CTTO. Other photos are, of course, mine. LOL.)
P.S.: Hey, guys! I put your names because it’s not like this is a controversial article. Lol. Saranghaeyo~
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