Thousands of fans braved the rains and kilometric queues just for BenandBen's homecoming concert.
Queues for the two-hour show ran from the parking building across SM MOA Arena, all the way to the street of Solaire Resort and Casino.
Held at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque City on Sunday night, December 18, 2022, the concert was Ben&Ben's "largest show" yet with the "longest set."
According to concert director Paolo Valenciano, the event itself registered 65,000 Liwanag fans who came to support the popular OPM band.
He shared on Instagram a video of Soundcheck's drone shot of the huge venue filled with concertgoers.
Overwhelmed with the huge turnout of fans, Ben&Ben wrote in a separate Instagram post, "Forever grateful for you, Liwanag."
AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT WITH BEnandBEN
At three minutes before 8:30 p.m. on Sunday night, fireworks lit up the sky as BenandBen opened the concert with "Langyang Pag-ibig."
They proceeded to sing one hit song after another, making the audience jump in excitement when vocalist/guitarist Paolo Benjamin sang "Pagtingin," a song that he wrote which speaks of hidden feelings of love.
Vocalist/guitarist Miguel Benjamin also kept encouraging the crowd to sing with the band when he performed "Upuan," a song about high school love. Its music video featured the onscreen teamup of DonBelle (Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano).
Paolo upped the kilig vibe in the concert with "Maybe The Night," the theme of the movie Exes Baggage (2018) starring Angelica Panganiban and Carlo Aquino.
The band also surprised their fans with a live performance of an unreleased song titled "Comets," which had the bittersweet theme of a love not meant to last.
Another heartbreaking love song was "Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay" sung by Miguel. A short clip from its music video featuring KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla) was played on the LED screens before the production number at the concert.
The song "Pasalubong" was a melodious duet between percussionists Toni Muñoz and Andrew de Pano, who brought out all the feels of someone wishing for more than friendship.
Its lyrics go: "Kaibigan o kaya bang mag-ibigan / Kapalaran ka ba o pangarap lang Hindi ko alam kung may pag-asa ba sa yo ... / Aaminin ko na gusto kita." The recorded version of this song featured Kapamilya singer Moira dela Torre.
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BENandBEN'S HEARTFELT MUSIC
BenandBen is comprised of Paolo Benjamin Guico (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Miguel Benjamin Guico (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Poch Barretto (lead guitar, backing vocals), Jam Villanueva (drums), Agnes Reoma (bass), Andrew de Pano (percussion, backing vocals), Toni Muñoz (percussion, vocals), Keifer Cabugao (violin, vocals), and Patricia Lasaten (keyboard).
It is no surprise that Ben&Ben's nine-member band has gained a huge fanbase in the last five years.
Each piece from their repertoire carries heartfelt lyrics that speak of joys, heartaches, and unspoken words of deep longings.
But what has made their songs relatable is that they are not just meant for lovers, those who are heartbroken, or the ones who can't find the words to say to someone they like.
The band's soulful music is also like one's notes-to-self to chase away doubts, fears, and insecurities.
As vocalist-guitarist Miguel Benjamin said at the concert, some people would say, "Sayang maganda ka pero... Sayang pogi ka pero... Matalino ka naman pero..."
Emphasizing that negative labels shouldn't be taken to heart, he added, "Pero ngayon sabihin mo sa sarili mo, 'Tanggap kita. Kailan man di ako magiging sayang.'"
This was how he introduced the song "Di Ka Sayang."
The band also performed "Magpahinga," a reminder to those having tough days that it's okay to take a rest.
Even if the vast open grounds were filled with couples hugging each other while swaying to the band's hit love songs, one wouldn't feel alone.
It was just how Ben&Ben wanted their homecoming concert to be—a venue for listeners to feel "the comfort of home" and get hooked on a "perfect rollercoaster" of emotions through the songs.
benandben's celebrity guests at the concert
BenandBen's concert lasted for two hours, and it was during the second part of the program when celebrity guests joined them onstage.
First up was KZ Tandingan, who wowed the audience with her one-time number with Ben&Ben for "Sabel."
Ben&Ben also proudly introduced JK Labajo and Zild when they performed "Lunod," the band's song dedicated for mental health awareness.
This was around the time when the crowd was heard chanting "Leni! Leni!" Ben&Ben, JK, and Zild were among the celebrity singers who supported former Vice President Leni Robredo during the presidential rallies for the May 2022 elections.
Ben&Ben also did a powerful performance of "Kapangyarihan," the recorded version of which is a collab with SB19.
Meanwhile, the band's anthemic songs "Leaves" and "Kathang Isip" were crowd favorites as fans couldn't help but sing along and take videos to capture a moment with Ben&Ben.
Other highlights of the Ben&Ben concert included the production number for "Panindigan Kita," which Miguel referred to as a new way of saying "I love you." The band also played their new songs "Dear" and "The Ones We Once Loved."
Before their concert ended, Ben&Ben thanked everyone who came to watch the show, which finally pushed through after being cancelled back in September.
It would be recalled that the event was originally scheduled on September 3, 2022, as a send-off concert that would kick-off their first North American concert tour in September to October.
However, the show was cancelled at the last minute due to terrible weather conditions.
The band also acknowledged singer Clara Benin, who did the front act for the homecoming concert.
For the finale, the band sang their hit song "Araw-Araw."
This event was presented by Ovation Productions, Ben&Ben Music Productions, Sony Music Philippines, and Tap Go.
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