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1st November 2013

Phancy Philippines – Manila

Usually in these blogs we talk about things completely different. But seeing as this is now our fourth consecutive time in the Philippines, I thought there would be nothing at all to write about.

I was wrong.

Of course everyone in Libera loves it here. Before the tour, when news broke out of another trip to the 7,001 islands (so I’m told), we were excited to combine our usual and Christmas songs and even release our Libera Christmas in Ireland (Angels Sing) DVD. It was the perfect opportunity, from the fun of our Christmas concerts last time. We began rehearsing, but seeing as the Christmas songs were covered in Ireland it wasn’t too much for us. If anything, it meant we could put on a longer show easily.

As per usual, we packed our bags and departed for the Philippines. Upon landing, we were reminded that the Philippines is the 3rd largest English speaking country; not to mean we didn’t had a go at a bit of Tagalog, the local language. Also upon landing we were greeted by our host, Mr Roberto De Ocampo OBE. We call him “Mr. D”, but you can’t. We’re young so we get away with it.

Seeing as we haven’t had very nice weather back in England, it was so good to land in a place where you didn’t have to wear a coat. Even the coaches are air conditioned, which is probably best because the heat can sometimes be a problem for us ‘used-to-rain’ South Londoners. When we got to our hotel – hungered from deciding not to eat plane food, may I add – we were greeted by a wonderful midnight feast.

People often ask us about Jet Lag and if we’re tired after concerts and so forth. Luckily for us younger ones it isn’t that bad at all. We have co-ordinated sleeping times on the flights and seeing as it was 17 hours of travel, we got plenty of shut-eye. It’s probably why you don’t see us falling asleep on stage. Hopefully. Sleep is one of the highest priority: I’m definitely not complaining.

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We had a few days before our main concert in the PICC centre in Manila, which of course meant for R&R (rest and relaxation). But before that, on our first day back to the Philippines, we made an appearance on ASAP TV. Television appearances are completely different from concerts. There’s cameras, presenters and even the audience, which is much more closer and personal. However we didn’t have anything to worry about, because the audience were great and the TV people were so welcoming.

Then of course we had our signing, in a shopping mall in Manila, Glorietta. We didn’t shop though, in case you were wondering. Signings are so much fun and mean a lot to us because we can get to know the people who support us, and keep us going. It was also the official launch and ribbon-cutting for our Libera Christmas in Ireland (Angels Sing) DVD.

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Busy day. Sometimes we practice changing our signature. Usually we stick to one we like, and practice getting it really fast; most 8-14 year olds don’t have to sign much at this age, meaning it’s great practice. Who thought Libera only taught you how to sing?

The day didn’t even finish there. We went back to our hotel for our ‘Welcoming Dinner’ hosted by our own host of course. It was fantastic. We had something similar last time, but for those 8 who haven’t been away to the Philippines before, it was great fun. We had the most amazing food, including the famous roast pig ‘Lechon’ style. We had performances from local choirs, dancers and cultural presentations like the ‘bangko’ (bench) dance. We even had the chance to dance with the dancers, and try out another Filipino style of dance, Tinikling (literally meaning ‘like the bird tickling’).

It was a great start to the tour.


17 Comments on “Phancy Philippines – Manila

Eunice
1st November 2013 at 7:36 pm

PICC Concert was a blast! Thank you so much 🙂

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Carmi
1st November 2013 at 8:05 pm

I enjoyed reading your blogs. Keep going guys! We’re here to support you. See you again some time soon!

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Charry Mondejar
2nd November 2013 at 12:43 am

Im such a big fan of you guys, thank you for visiting us here in Philippines. Im so glad that i got the chance to meet you in person when I lined up at PICC to watch the concert and got the chance to talk to you in person. Please post pictures when you were in Phillipines.

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Louise
2nd November 2013 at 1:06 am

Can’t wait to read your blog entry about your concert tour in Cebu 🙂 Once again, thank you for visiting the Philippines guys 😀 it was nice seeing you again (and having my poster and album signed) 🙂

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Ton Sanctus
2nd November 2013 at 1:55 am

Vocês, ANJOS, devem sentir-se orgulhosos dessa rotina, é tudo o que eu gostaria de fazer.
Invejo-lhes a sorte, e mais uma vez felicito-os por tão excelente trabalho, mas também pela emoção que me causam.

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Skip Thomas
2nd November 2013 at 3:36 am

It’s great to hear that in addition to your performances that you take time to have fun and get plenty of rest. I can’t comprehend how you sleep on the plane. I can’t do it. I am really looking forward to attending a concert next year, perhaps in Korea or The Philippines or even Singapore. My kindest regards to Libera.

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cede
2nd November 2013 at 5:23 am

I can’t wait to read the blog for Cebu. I’m just happy that you went to back after two years. It was a great experience as always to hear you sing live, to be able to see you again perform for the first time in a church here. Thank You and I can’t wait really to see you again.

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Joanne Marie
2nd November 2013 at 5:29 am

Thanks for coming in the Philippines once again! My wish was already granted and that is to see again LIBERA live! 🙂 please come back to the Philippines esp. here in Cebu.

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Wendell Jeffrey Bayron
2nd November 2013 at 6:19 am

see you again next time 🙂 hope to see you personally 🙁

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Rachelle O'Hara
2nd November 2013 at 6:35 am

Thank you so much for this blog on your Pines tour. Been waiting for it actually. Hehe. Glad to know you’re enjoying your 4th visit to our country and happy to learn that the 8 who haven’t been here before had great fun. Michael M. said that the Pines is “amazing” 🙂 It’s nice that you got to see a performance of the “bangko” dance. I enjoy watching that dance too 🙂 We were both at the Glorietta and the concert at the PICC. I had so much fun in those 2 days. Gained a lot of friends too. Thanks to you guys. 😉 I loved that bit on practicing signing your signatures. 🙂 Yeah, in Libera you learn to sing and sign 😉 Enjoy the rest of your stay here and praying that you have a safe journey back home. Love you, Libera! This past week has been one of the most awesome days in my life. God bless!

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Jazelle
3rd November 2013 at 6:59 am

Thank you very much for your wonderful performances here in the Philippines! Seeing you perform once will never be enough so I sincerely hope you’d come back to the Philippines in the near future!

Libera will always receive a warm welcome here in our country!

MAHAL NAMIN KAYO!!!

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Princess Rozelyn
3rd November 2013 at 8:20 am

Ayo! It was nice to see you guys back here again in our “Always-summer-country” The Philippines! I hope you had a great time and have a safe flight back in England! Looking forward to see you guys back here again. 🙂 xoxo

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Tommy
4th November 2013 at 5:37 am

‘We call him “Mr. D”, but you can’t. We’re young so we get away with it.’
and i laughed out loud at this :-O
yes, another very good tour blog by the Libera Boys: well done lads!

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Reymart Sanchez
5th November 2013 at 12:29 pm

Nice! I’m glad you’ve had a nice stay here in the Philippines. Though, I didn’t came to watch your concerts, I am probably sure those are nice concerts. They are always nice. c:

Good job! And good luck for your future concerts.

*By the way, just a correction. There are 7 107 islands in the Philippines. c:

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David. M. Williams: (70):
5th November 2013 at 1:18 pm

Lovely bunch of lads ~ excellent singers; always enjoy hearing them, and seeing them perform on the telly & on the only dvd I have to date;- recorded in the Netherlands 6 yrs ago!!

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David Halverson
9th November 2013 at 8:31 am

Wonder concert, really had a great time being that it was the first time at concert. Thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity I had to meet Libera (twice or is is three times now). Thinking of spending Easter this year in England for a change.

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Chris Muwzz
10th November 2013 at 7:28 am

Thanks for making this blogs..
I HOPE that you’ll be back next year here in philippines especially here in cebu.. PLease do..
Keep shining Libera!!!

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