‘Maraming salamat, kahit may bagyo’: CNBLUE cannot be stopped in Manila

 

Non-stop rains from Tropical Storm Mario hit Manila and other nearby provinces; social networking sites were also flooded by memes describing their #MarioPH ordeals, but the stage was set and the show went on for the CNBLUE Can’t Stop Manila concert on Sept. 19 at the Big Dome.

During almost all of songs of the concert set, the band tirelessly repeated, “Salamat” and “Mahal ko kayo” as a sign of appreciation for the few fans who made it through the rain. CNBLUE’s drummer Kang Minhyuk even said “Maraming salamat po, kahit may bagyo.”

 

Code Name: B.L.U.E.

 

The band name stands for the different personalities of the members. B for the lead guitarist Lee Jonghyun’s burning personality, L for the drummer Kang Minhyuk’s lovely aura, U for the bassist Lee Jungshin’s untouchable image, and E for the lead vocal Jung Yonghwa’s emotional character.

 

 

Most Korean celebrities that visit the archipelago usually go to the beaches and bask under the Philippine sun. However, a tropical storm loomed on concert day.

It is the group's second concert in the Philippines. If there’s one thing they missed from their first trip, it's the taste of Chickenjoy. And if the weather conditions are all right, they will go explore Manila Ocean Park.

 

'Can’t stop us now'

 

 

Filipino BOICES showed up at the Dome armed with jackets, foldable umbrellas, and rain boots—not even a typhoon could dampen their ardor. However, fans living in flood-stricken areas couldn’t make it and took their frustration out on social media.

 

The audience turnout was very low, considering the superstar status of the band. Yet, the boys seemed aware of the calamities happening in some parts of the country. For those who wade their way through the rain and flood Yonghwa said in Tagalog, “Thank you for coming, even though the weather is bad.”

 

 

CNBLUE rocked the dome with their famous hits “Step by Step,” “L.O.V.E.,” and “I’m a loner.” Some non-title songs were re-arranged to fit in a more ‘hard rock-vibe’ into the set.

An example of this is their song “Diamond Girl,” which originally had a very pop-ish sound in the studio album—a change in the arrangement has turned it into a song with a Latin rock vibe into it. Yonghwa gave a high octane performance, even going as far as blasting out high-pitched falsettos in true rockstar fashion.

 

 

 

CNBLUE is not like the typical rock band that emphasizes the vocalist. Each member’s role is equally distributed and this decision has enjoyed the same amount of fame and appreciation from the fans as a band that's all about the vocalist. During an encore performance, balloon lights that were attached to selected chairs were lit to celebrate Lee Jungshin’s birthday in the Philippines—this was called “Project Lovelight.” The containers had strip of papesr with printed instructions on how to activate it and when to take it out.

 

 

 

At the end of the concert, the boys posed for a selfie with the fans as a souvenir of Manila. Then Yonghwa stated how much he loved Manila and reminded the fans to take care when they leave.

“I will pray for you, [and] I promise you, we will come back,” he said.

Hopefully by then, the skies will be cloudless and blue. — VC, GMA News