The Black Eyed Peas party on in Manila

Written by avid on October 31, 2011

Over the last few weeks, I’ve sat in my computer watching Black Eyed Peas live performances that were streamed online. It was fun, but it was like watching a concert from the International Space Station. Tuesday night, October 25, after five long years of waiting and about an hour or so of having to see little-known front acts that featured at least one Apl.de.Ap clone in each of them, the Black Eyed Peas are finally back. In their “We’re so 3008!” space suits.

The crowd, estimated at more than 50,000, didn’t take long to get into the club groove when the Peas launched with “Rock that Body.” Just outside the venue, there was a warning that the concert will be using strobe lights, reminding people with epilepsy that they could trigger seizures (which, pretty much, is a fitting description to my horrendous dancing skills). But I didn’t care. No one was watching me.

When Fergie started singing “Meet Me Halfway,” it was like a signal for people to start singing along with her. Fergie didn’t even have to ask. Who needs back-up vocals when you’re performing in front of an enchanted Filipino audience?

All eyes were on her (and every time she shook her “humps”), little did we know that Will was quietly preparing for his rap solo, which left us practically breathless…as he started to rap in the speed of light. OK, that was a little over the top, but it felt that way.

Of course, it is quite common that foreign acts try to learn the country’s native language for their spiels. Will asked us in the vernacular, with a little help from Apl, how we were doing and if we were OK? Taboo charmed the ladies when he uttered “Maganda” (“beautiful”) and “Maraming Salamat Po” (“Thank you very much”). Just in time before they got the crowd up on their feet and jumping again with “Don’t Stop the Party,” mashing it up with old favorites, “Don’t Phunk My Heart,” “My Humps,” and “Shut Up.” Fergie dropped the somersaults of yore, and went with a flirtatious split instead. Then the guys returned to the stage with “Joints and Jam,” one of their earlier singles before they added Fergie to the group — giving Fergie just enough time to change into her “galaxy” dress. I was not familiar with the first song she sang, but it was nice jazzy, change-up to the Dutchess we’ve grown to love over the years. Then she serenaded the guys from Bucky Jonson with “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” drawing the crowd to sing along again.

When Will re-appeared looking like a robot and began his DJ set with Usher’s “OMG,” the crowd went wild again. Even as he switched genres, from rock to samba, it didn’t matter. Just like the song, we just can’t get enough. Not quite sure why they keep using LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” between sets, but it surely got the crowd into another gear when it was time to perform “Pump It” and “Where is the Love?” How many energy drinks were served before the show, I don’t know…but you’ve got to give it to these people, who have been on their feet non-stop for hours.

The dance party atmosphere momentarily paused when the spotlight turned to Apl and his advocacy to build more classrooms around the country with his “We Can Be Anything” campaign. US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas even made a special appearance to announce that he’s hiring Apl to become his personal adviser in promoting education. Apl, of course, is living proof of what he preaches – sharing to the world his Filipino roots through “The Apl Song,” which he tearfully dedicated to his late siblings, “Bebot,” and “Mare.” He also debuted a commercial jingle for local telecommunications company, Smart, before finishing his set with an “I don’t care if I tear my pants” break-dancing exhibition.

Sensing the show was about to end soon, I began to think what songs they’ll be doing for an encore: “Boom Boom Pow” and “The Time,” the first singles off The E.N.D and The Beginning albums quickly came to mind. Then, reminiscent of their mini-speeches in a recent charity concert in New York, each member acknowledged the huge fan support and how special it is to perform in front of the (largely) Filipino audience. While Taboo lovingly spoke about his favorite local cuisine, Fergie became emotional when she referred to the Manila leg as being part of a limited edition “graduation” tour. It made their final song, “I Gotta Feeling,” even more special as the crowd sang and danced with them one more time before they take a break and concentrate on solo projects (or joint ventures with Josh Duhamel, in Fergie’s case).

So, was it the best concert of the year? It is certainly one of the biggest draws in a year when other huge international acts like Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, 30 Seconds to Mars, and even teen sensations Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber rocked Manila. What sets the Black Eyed Peas apart is their ability to keep the audience’s energy level to the maximum from the opening number down to the last. And I mean everyone, from die-hard fans and dance club regulars to those who were just there “for the free beer.”