The Ely Buendia Experience
So the Ely Buendia concert happened and it was a spiritual experience!
How can a band that doesn't actually play Christian songs could exude a spiritually-satisfying experience like that?
Well, I literally shed some tears while the Filipino legend Ely Buendia stood onstage and started strumming the guitar! I can't organize my thoughts completely. I just got so many things in my head that I would love to talk about that I ended becoming mum since I don't know where to start.
Fine. I'll just start with how was a person who has been such a party pooper able to get a ticket. It was thanks to my ever loving friends (Hannah and Eden) who actually informed me that they have reserved a ticket already for me since it was so limited they had to decide for me and they freakin’ say YES which I freakingly thought as the BEST idea. I didn’t care the fact that they decided for me already. They have been my friends for such a long time that knowing my likes and dislikes become their natural instincts. Yes, VIP was Php 2500 and while others thought it was too expensive for the nature of the concert, I was still so cool about it. Come to think of it, The Legend planting his feet on the very same ground and breathing the same air as ours is already a luxury for a place which rarely holds concerts of icons. Man, it’s Ely Buendia! He is one of the strongest pillars of OPM (Original Pinoy Music)! What more could I ask for the price! That was too worth it!
So right after our DFA appointments, we ambled at the venue for 5 hours. Thank goodness it’s in the mall, at least there are too much choices and stores to go and occupy our exuberant selves. Fast-forward we lined up, I gave up my water bottle (because it was not allowed inside the concert venue) and sat in the edge of the VIP section. The concert started with TRUE FAITH as the front act and after hours of waiting, the main event came. Ely Buendia came out and sported a white-dyed hair which really suited him (he pulls off any style anyway) and everyone got so hyped including us that we can’t help but stand from our seats. What was so great about concerts is they start the show right away. That was one great leap to set the audience on fire.
The first song, we find it hard to really jam since we’re all seated in our assigned seats. But the moment we got the go signal to go near the stage, that was when it got really exhilarating. The VIPs were there just a meter or two away from Ely Buendia. And we (Hannah, Eden and I) were the nearest to Ely Buendia that Eden and Hannah can’t help but take pictures while I stood there greatly overwhelmed by the sight before me. He may have to entertain the whole crowd but it made me feel like he’s singing just for me. What an effect rock stars give off! Ely Buendia was effortlessly a legend out there spewing the lyrics of his songs and manipulated the strings of the guitars like the guitar was his girlfriend and then it brought the whole house down! That was lit (says millennials expressions). That was a spiritual experience in its entirety. I really loved the concert and the VIPs who got so drunk with Ely Buendia but still respect each of the audience’s personal spaces. There was no pushing, it was a musical treat that heals and rejuvenates the crowd. More than a concert, it was an experience. A notable taste that satisfies a person’s insatiable cravings. It was served in a reasonable amount, not too short that you’ll feel discontented and not too long that you’ll get tired of it. The order of songs was also very logical, they sandwiched the famous and the less familiar ones (as for me of course). In the concert there are those who jammed every single song Ely Buendia played.
Alapaap, Overdrive, Spoliarium, Ligaya and many other hit songs were also played. My hands were either at the phone or at any part of my face since the whole show was so overwhelming that I tried to cope with it by releasing much energy to little things.
And at the very end of the concert, Ely Buendia, touched the waving hands below the stage and with God’s grace, I was one of the people who have touched the hand of a musical legend. I can’t contain my emotions which are on the verge of bursting. So I ended up screaming and talking so much of the concert that we (Hannah, Eden and I) could hold a talk show by how much content we can offer the public ABOUT THE CONCERT EXPERIENCE HAHHAHAHA.
Overall, that was one great show in one great night. I never expected being able to be in a concert and jam with artists that I only see on TV. And that was not just an artist but a legendary one. It was worth the wait and more than worth the price. After a week of exhausting work, it felt very rewarding to have the Ely Buendia concert as a reward. It was really satisfying watching an authentic artist who just doesn’t just care about fame and admiration. Ely Buendia is true to his art and whenever he sings and plays the guitar, it’s like he is healing himself and goes through a spiritual journey. It was just so true that Ely getting soaked with his music exudes the same thing to anyone who watches him perform. The way he closes his eyes and get soused up with his art affected me so much. He is indeed an embodiment of an artist. An artist who cares so much about his craft and dives deep into the realms of creativity. My admiration towards him encompasses light years that trying to put it in words just can’t give enough justice to the awe that I am feeling since I watched Ely live. I have great respect for artists like him and his songs will forever remain his perennial legacy for posterity.
How can a band that doesn't actually play Christian songs could exude a spiritually-satisfying experience like that?
Well, I literally shed some tears while the Filipino legend Ely Buendia stood onstage and started strumming the guitar! I can't organize my thoughts completely. I just got so many things in my head that I would love to talk about that I ended becoming mum since I don't know where to start.
Fine. I'll just start with how was a person who has been such a party pooper able to get a ticket. It was thanks to my ever loving friends (Hannah and Eden) who actually informed me that they have reserved a ticket already for me since it was so limited they had to decide for me and they freakin’ say YES which I freakingly thought as the BEST idea. I didn’t care the fact that they decided for me already. They have been my friends for such a long time that knowing my likes and dislikes become their natural instincts. Yes, VIP was Php 2500 and while others thought it was too expensive for the nature of the concert, I was still so cool about it. Come to think of it, The Legend planting his feet on the very same ground and breathing the same air as ours is already a luxury for a place which rarely holds concerts of icons. Man, it’s Ely Buendia! He is one of the strongest pillars of OPM (Original Pinoy Music)! What more could I ask for the price! That was too worth it!
So right after our DFA appointments, we ambled at the venue for 5 hours. Thank goodness it’s in the mall, at least there are too much choices and stores to go and occupy our exuberant selves. Fast-forward we lined up, I gave up my water bottle (because it was not allowed inside the concert venue) and sat in the edge of the VIP section. The concert started with TRUE FAITH as the front act and after hours of waiting, the main event came. Ely Buendia came out and sported a white-dyed hair which really suited him (he pulls off any style anyway) and everyone got so hyped including us that we can’t help but stand from our seats. What was so great about concerts is they start the show right away. That was one great leap to set the audience on fire.
The first song, we find it hard to really jam since we’re all seated in our assigned seats. But the moment we got the go signal to go near the stage, that was when it got really exhilarating. The VIPs were there just a meter or two away from Ely Buendia. And we (Hannah, Eden and I) were the nearest to Ely Buendia that Eden and Hannah can’t help but take pictures while I stood there greatly overwhelmed by the sight before me. He may have to entertain the whole crowd but it made me feel like he’s singing just for me. What an effect rock stars give off! Ely Buendia was effortlessly a legend out there spewing the lyrics of his songs and manipulated the strings of the guitars like the guitar was his girlfriend and then it brought the whole house down! That was lit (says millennials expressions). That was a spiritual experience in its entirety. I really loved the concert and the VIPs who got so drunk with Ely Buendia but still respect each of the audience’s personal spaces. There was no pushing, it was a musical treat that heals and rejuvenates the crowd. More than a concert, it was an experience. A notable taste that satisfies a person’s insatiable cravings. It was served in a reasonable amount, not too short that you’ll feel discontented and not too long that you’ll get tired of it. The order of songs was also very logical, they sandwiched the famous and the less familiar ones (as for me of course). In the concert there are those who jammed every single song Ely Buendia played.
Alapaap, Overdrive, Spoliarium, Ligaya and many other hit songs were also played. My hands were either at the phone or at any part of my face since the whole show was so overwhelming that I tried to cope with it by releasing much energy to little things.
And at the very end of the concert, Ely Buendia, touched the waving hands below the stage and with God’s grace, I was one of the people who have touched the hand of a musical legend. I can’t contain my emotions which are on the verge of bursting. So I ended up screaming and talking so much of the concert that we (Hannah, Eden and I) could hold a talk show by how much content we can offer the public ABOUT THE CONCERT EXPERIENCE HAHHAHAHA.
Overall, that was one great show in one great night. I never expected being able to be in a concert and jam with artists that I only see on TV. And that was not just an artist but a legendary one. It was worth the wait and more than worth the price. After a week of exhausting work, it felt very rewarding to have the Ely Buendia concert as a reward. It was really satisfying watching an authentic artist who just doesn’t just care about fame and admiration. Ely Buendia is true to his art and whenever he sings and plays the guitar, it’s like he is healing himself and goes through a spiritual journey. It was just so true that Ely getting soaked with his music exudes the same thing to anyone who watches him perform. The way he closes his eyes and get soused up with his art affected me so much. He is indeed an embodiment of an artist. An artist who cares so much about his craft and dives deep into the realms of creativity. My admiration towards him encompasses light years that trying to put it in words just can’t give enough justice to the awe that I am feeling since I watched Ely live. I have great respect for artists like him and his songs will forever remain his perennial legacy for posterity.