Manilyn Live @ 25

Manilyn Live @ 25 was a nostalgic event for people like me and Nori (and Biboy, as well) who grew up with That's Entertainment. Yes, it was Manilyn's 25th anniversary celebration that night but nevertheless, the night captured the whole era with immense fervor and merriment! It was '80s all over again. Sobrang happy trip down memory lane.

The concert started a little late, probably between 8:45-9 PM. Hinihintay 'ata ng producers na mapuno 'yung theater. The show begun with Mane singing Feel Na Feel. Kuntodo denim jacket and pants ang attire niya ala Feel Na Feel era talaga. Ay simula n'un, goosebumps na ang pumaimbabaw sa 'kin. Parang we were transported back to the decade where Manilyn was the biggest teen star -- TV, movies, and radio, thus the title Star of the New Decade. Feeling ko nga, if I have seen Feel Na Feel The Concert live then, baka napaluha pa ko.

Throughout the concert andu'n 'yung feeling of sentimentality especially that the theme of the concert has '80s all over it - from the upbeat music she sang (Body Dancer, Rico Mambo, Blue Kiss, Jump, I'm So Excited, Manic Monday, etc.) to the duets she did with Ogie (Pangako), Keempee (Never Gonna Give You Up - in Mane's words, "Sarap alalahanin 'yung time na nakikinig ka ng mga senti music tapos. . . nanonood ka ng Young Love, Sweet Love."), and Janno (Always/Secret Lovers - where Janno made his famous moves during their love team days: pagbaba ng mic sa stage then share Mane's mic; kulang na lang ang pag-share nila ng same garlands of Sampaguitas!) Nakakatuwang balikan at isip-isipin ang mga kilig days na 'yun of our youth.


Highlights of the event were Manilyn's singing her hits such as Feel Na Feel, Mr. Disco/Shake It, Baby Medley, Ikaw Pa Rin (join ako with her with this one - kanta to death ako s'ympre!), Somewhere Along the Way (one of the best songs that night with its new soulful arrangement), and Sayang Na Sayang (the much-awaited song which she sung before the show closed). I was expecting to hear her sing Isang Tulog Na Lang with Janno but she didn't. Nalungkot ako ru'n s'ympre.

Todo na siguro ang '80s experience if the three gentlemen sung their first hits: Peksman by Ogie, Nais Kong Malaman Mo by Keempee, and Miss by Janno. Ogie did Sumayaw, Sumunod and Kailangan Kita/Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw Medley. Ang kwento niya ay hindi naging sila ni Mane. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay hindi niya tinodo ang ligaw kay Mane. Like Bistek to Lea, torpe-torpehan siya. Ang kwento nga ni Mane minsan sa Moms, Ogie went to their house in UP area. Akala niya ay aakyat ng ligaw. Makikigamit lang pala ng CR! (As in para magbawas! Eewy, di ba?!) But whenever he write songs then, kay Mane niya unang pinaparinig. She co-wrote Pangako with him. Keempee sung Ipagpatawad/Binibini Medley. Janno did Pinakamagandang Lalaki/Fallin' Medley.


Kuntodo dance si Mane during the '80s dance medleys! Talagang to the nth power ito reminiscent of the may-I-promote-my-movie days sa Regal. Ka-level din nito ang performance competition during That's Entertainment Saturday Edition! Kulang na lang ay si Billy Joe dancing to a Michael Jackson song! But as what she said, medyo mabigat at matigas na raw ang katawan niya para mag-dance galore.

Before the final act, Mane did a number with the three guests. It was the song Alipin with lyrics rewritten telling the story the stories of their affairs with each other. Nakakaaliw siya given na naglolokohan sila on stage! They ended the number with That's What Friends Are For. Very '80s siya talaga, di ba?!


For her final act, Mane thanked the special people in her life has been there during her ups and downs. She related the time when she felt like quitting the biz, feeling unloved and lost. Luckily, she was given another chance. Now she is known by the youngsters as Corazon in Marimar. At least they'd get to know how truly remarkable she is.

Other songs sung were Superwoman, Bakit Ako Mahihiya?, Usahay, Ako Ang Nagwagi, I Have You, I Made It Through the Rain, and others. 2 hours and a half 'yung show. Sulit na sulit talaga ang gabi!

Happy 25th anniversary, Mann! It is but right to say congratulations to you and to direks Al Quinn and Tats Faustino! You have given us such a wonderful night of fun and excitement! Ang gleng-gleng talaga! Sana sa susunod kasama mo na sina She at Tina on stage!

P.S. It was my first time to watch in Aliw Theater. Ang ganda ng venue -- very cozy ang dating. Maliit lang siya (but bigger than Music Museum). Hindi pa pinagbabawal ang picture and video taking tulad ng sa Araneta. The truth is, I don't see why Araneta need to prohibit people from taking pictures and videos. Right naman ng audience para i-capture ang moment na 'yun! Sa US nga, people can even bring camcorders!

One downside lang sa Aliw Theater is sabog kung minsan ang sound. Masakit na sa taynga kapag bumibirit na 'yung singer on stage.

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For more pictures, visit Manilyn Live @ 25
Videos available here or here
Related post: My Manilyn Years