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'Dagundong:' Alamat's first concert celebrated three years of music, honoring their loyal fans


Alamat first concert Dagundong at New Frontier Theater

The thought of stepping out on a Friday night in December, just after payday, already seems exhausting—especially with the anticipated traffic and the sea of people going out.

Yet, for the Magiliws, the devoted fan base of the P-pop group Alamat, December 1 marked a date they couldn't miss. On this night, Alamat graced the stage of the New Frontier Theater for their first concert, “Dagundong.”

After all, what's a bustling Friday night compared to witnessing your favorite group achieve yet another milestone?

Magiliws gather for ‘Ugong’

It’s no secret that musical acts often burst onto the scene only to fade into obscurity after releasing a couple of hits. Alamat, with its unique brand of P-pop that celebrates and promotes Pinoy heritage and culture, continues to captivate fans three years after coming together as a group.

One of the group’s pillars is their fan base, the Magiliws who have made it their mission to spread the word about Alamat. Not only are they active on social media, they also organize events and get-togethers every now and then to bond over their love for the group.

Fans of Alamat gather for a fanzone event

Before “Dagundong,” Magiliws gathered at the Gateway Mall Activity Area for a fanzone event, “Ugong: Pagdating ng Dagundong.”

Aside from having games and performers, fans were given a chance to bond as well as check out a variety of booths selling merchandise, stickers, and other fan-made items.

The road to ‘Dagundong’

It was a full house at the New Frontier Theater on December 1. As soon as the countdown before the show began, fans started screaming – especially when the video of Alamat flashed on the screen.

The stage featured LED screens and a space for a live band. The crowd went wild when the lights went out, and even more so when the members of the group – Taneo, Jao, Mo, Alas, Tomas, and R-Ji – each took their place on the setup in the middle of the stage.

Alamat Dagundong first concert at New Frontier

They kicked off the show with “kasmala,” a song they released in 2021. This was followed by more electrifying performances with backup dancers as Alamat showed off their moves to “Hala,” “ABKD,” and “Sandigan.”

What made the show even more meaningful for the fans and the group’s relatives present in the audience were the recorded clips played in between sets.

One video showcased the journey of the members from auditionees to becoming part of Alamat. Not only did they travel from the provinces where they lived during the pandemic, but they also endured challenging training sessions while wearing face masks and face shields.

To represent this part of their story as a group, the six members performed “kbye” their first single released in 2020.

Alamat Dagundong first concert at New Frontier

Each member also showcased their individual talents in a solo performance. Jao and Taneo highlighted their dancing prowess, Tomas demonstrated his singing and flute-playing skills, Alas and Mo sang and danced, and R-Ji played the electric guitar while belting out tunes.

At the heart of “Dagundong” is the group’s deep appreciation for their fans. Following performances of their mellower releases such as “Porque” and “Walang Hanggan,” the members made sure to interact with the audience. They even selected six lucky fans to join them on stage for “Sa Panaginip Nalang.”

More than a celebration of Alamat’s three successful years in the industry, it was truly a night for the Magiliws. The six members owned the stage as they danced to “Day and Night” and “Dayang,” two songs beloved by their fans.

Alamat Dagundong first concert at New Frontier

Although the song “Dagundong' comes from the group’s first LP, “IsaPuso,” it was their first EP, “Pasulong,” that paved the way for fans to stan them.

As part of the show, Alamat performed a medley of hits, including “Gayuma,” “Aswang,” and “Multo.”

To cap off this momentous concert, the group fired up the crowd with “Dagundong,” “Manila Dreams,” and “Maharani.” Each song holds significance for the group – “Dagundong” is the official soundtrack for the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, “Penduko,” while “Manila Dreams” encapsulates their journey towards achieving their dreams in the music industry.

And who could forget “Maharani?” The catchy tune, with equally captivating choreography by Coach Jim Amen, is the group’s most-played song on Spotify and recently won the Best R&B Recording at the 36th Awit Awards.

Alamat Dagundong first concert at New Frontier

Alamat has come a long way, but they remain steadfast in their commitment to promoting what’s ours. Throughout the night, not only did they don creations by Filipino designers and clothes that highlighted Philippine textiles, but they also vowed to continue spreading the word about the richness of Philippine history and the beauty of our culture.

We’re not only eagerly anticipating what Alamat will accomplish next, but we also can’t wait to see the Magiliws being with them every step of the way.

—CACM, GMA Integrated News