Acting may be his first love, but John Prats has found a new niche as a director.
Read: John Prats on directing Jessi's "Zoom In Manila" concert: "I'll never forget this!"
In 2023 alone, he took on a total of 25 directorial jobs for concerts and fan meets.
Speaking to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on December 18, 2023, he recalled that it was during Coldplay's concert in Manila in 2017 when he first realized he wanted to be a director.
"Nung nanonood ako ng Coldplay sa MOA Grounds pa noon, I felt something, na parang one month na yata hindi pa ako nakaka-move on," John said with much enthusiasm.
"Iba! Ibang impact.
"Nararamdaman mo yung energy ng mga kasama mong nanonood. Yun yung hindi kayang i-replicate sa live events.
"So sabi ko, pag nag-direct ako ng concert, ito yung gusto kong maramdaman ng mga manonood."
THE START OF JOHN'S DIRECTING JOURNEY
That Coldplay concert had such an impact on John that many months later, he still carried the dream of directing a concert.
By November 2017, his first directorial stint was released—the music video of Moira's hit song "Malaya."
John co-produced that music video with his good friends Sam Milby and Angelica Panganiban under Bright Bulb Productions.
From there, John's dad and Sam urged him to try directing a concert.
John volunteered to direct and co-produce Moira's very first concert slated for February 2018.
"It's my first time directing a concert. So, alam mo, sobrang tapang ko lang talaga.
"Hindi ko alam talaga yung pinapasok ko.
"Going back, ang nag-boost lang sa akin was si Sam and Moira.
"He's the one who pushed me na parang, 'Kaya mo iyan! Madali lang iyan!'
"Hindi siya madali, e. Pinalalakas lang niya yung loob ko," John related with a laugh.
He continued, "Then after nun, yun na, after ng Tagpuan concert, we sold out, two days.
"Tapos lumapit na sina K Brosas and Erik Santos. They wanted me to direct their concerts.
"Dun na nag-start yung journey ko as a concert director."
Fast-forward to 2023, some of his unforgettable directorial stints included the 20th anniversary concert of Erik at the MOA Arena, KZ Tandingan's solo concert at the Newport Arts Theater, and Moira's concert at the Araneta Coliseum.
He also directed Fusion Freedom music festival, featuring SB19, Ben&Ben, and other big OPM artists at the CCP Open Grounds.
John went on to say that, when mounting a concert, the artist that he's working with is a big factor in coming up with his vision.
He elaborated: "You just have to personalize it, kung sino yung artist.
"Wala siyang technique, e. Wala siyang parang yung standard na ginagawa ng director.
"I don't know with anyone, but ako kasi, that's my touch, I always put the artist first.
"'What do you want? This is your dream concert. I'm just an instrument para mangyari yung dream concert.'
"Like with festivals, it's fun. It's hard because mahaba siya, but mas mahirap for me is yung mga milestone concerts. More yung pressure because it's their milestone."
ERIK SANTOS'S CONCERT
John then cited that putting together Erik's 20th anniversary concert was particularly challenging.
It wasn't just because the singer was marking a big milestone in his career, but also because he was still dealing with the passing of his parents.
Read: Erik Santos breaks down on 20th anniversary concert stage after recalling late parents
Erik's mom died of lung cancer in November 2022, and then his dad also died of lung cancer in August 2023, only nine months part from each other.
Read: Erik Santos recalls last moments with parents who battled lung cancer
"Iba talaga yung pinagdaanan namin. Kasi sobrang gusto mo talaga pagandahin. Tapos yung journey behind the event.
"Friend ko si Erik. The mom passed away last year. Two months before the concert, the dad passed away.
"So, it's really tough for for everyone.
"And even Eric asked me, 'Direk, itutuloy ko pa ba ito? Parang hindi ko na kaya.'
"And I told him na, 'You think your mom and your dad will allow you to stop this? Yung buong journey mo doon sa karera mo, they were there to support you. And what more, itong 20th mo?'
"Siyempre, iyak kami. It was more than directing a concert. It's like building a relationship with your artist. It's like being a friend.
"Not naman forcing it."
John underlined that he always considers the artist's feelings when planning and executing his vision for a concert.
"Siguro yun yung advantage ko sa mga ibang directors—na maraming mas magaling, but my advantage is I was in the industry.
"I was a performer. So I know how it feels to be a performer.
"So I always acknowledge that. Hindi ako yung tipong director na, 'Ito mangyayari. Hindi ako makikinig sa iyo. Ako ang director, ito ang masusunod.'"
BACK-TO-BACK CONCERT OF KZ AND MORISETTE
PEP.ph also asked John about the back-to-back Flormar Live concert of KZ and Morissette Amon held at the Big Dome in October 2023.
Read: Morissette and KZ Tandingan cause music pandemonium at the Big Dome
It was a night to remember as both singers delivered outstanding performances with beautifully crafted production numbers to match their respective skill sets.
Both singers gave a special shoutout to John for being the one at the helm of the concert.
Talking about Morissette and KZ's performances, John related, "Talagang parang nanood ka ng dalawang concert sa isang gabi.
"Siyempre, they're friends. Pero pag tumungtong yung isa sa stage, kasi si Mori talagang ginagalingan niya. Pagdating ni KZ, ginagalingan din niya.
"So, parang, siyempre, ayaw magpasapaw ng isa sa isa.
"But that doesn't mean that they're fighting... Walang kampante. Gusto nila ibigay yung best nila."
@pepalerts What a total performer! Morissette sings Taylor Swift’s “Style” for Flormar Live at Araneta Coliseum #PEPNews #EntertainmentNewsPH #NewsPH ? original sound - PEP.ph
As a director, John said that he made sure that both Morissette and KZ shined in their respective segments.
Morissette got to showcase her prowess in singing sky-high notes and demonstrated confidence in adapting to pop genres, while KZ brought the house down with her rapping skills and unique rendition of Eraserheads hits.
"Even if first time ko with Mori, I did a lot of concerts na with KZ, I made sure na parang they had that balance, na wala akong favorites.
"Kasi yun ang hatest ko, e. I grew up in the industry na hindi ako favorite.
"So, I know how it felt na hindi ka favorite.
"So, yun yung gusto kong ibigay na balance sa kanila.
"Kung ano yung hiniling ni Mori, kung ano yung hiniling ni KZ, I give it to them."
@pepalerts KZ Tandingan showcases rapping skills on her opening number “Sumayaw Ka” for Flormar Live at Araneta Coliseum. #PEPNews #EntertainmentNewsPH #NewsPH ? original sound - PEP.ph
John pointed out that he's also sensitive when it comes to making adjustments as the artists rehearse their production numbers.
"When we were rehearsing doon sa Flormar concert, dance rehearsal sila with the dancers, yung Rigid Status, sina Mori at KZ may parts na sumasayaw.
"Yung choreo, nakikita ko agad na hindi comfortable si KZ sa mga ganun-ganun [sexy dance moves]. Hindi ganun si KZ, e.
"So talagang lumapit ako sa choreographer, 'Palitan mo yung choreography na iyan, kasi hindi comfortable si KZ. If you want to keep that choreography, you give that to Mori.'
"'Give two eights to Mori. And then give another two eights na bagay kay KZ. KZ is more masculine. Mas angas, mas makanto iyan.'
"Napansin pala ni KZ after. Tapos lumapit si KZ, 'Direk, thank you. Napansin mo pala.'
"Kasi nakikita ko si KZ, ginagawa naman niya. Alam mo yung parang nafo-force kasi nahihiya ka [na papalitan yung steps]."
Another highlight for John was when he directed K-Magic Live concert in Manila, headlined by Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon, SHINee’s Taemin, and GOT7’s Yugyeom.
Aside from concerts, John also directed fan meets with popular Korean idols Kim Soo Hyun (It's Okay Not To Be Okay and My Love From The Star) and Cha Eun Woo (True Beauty and My Name Is Gangnam Beauty) as well as Thai stars Dew Jirawat (F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers) and Mew Suppasit (TharnType The Series).