2012 Chronicles: Awesome April

April 2012... The only thing I can remember that's significant  was my first year anniversary of being employed in Convergys and @a1official (A1's twitter account) followed me back on twitter. That's all I can remember.

After a Year

I can't believe it's been a year already since that night when I have finally seen a1 performed live. That's really a night to remember since that's the first time I've seen a1 in person and that's been my dream ever since I became a fan of this band. This is just one of the reasons I'm thinking why I'm here in Cebu. I was not able to take a lot of pictures while they perform because my camera died the moment they started singing. Too bad. Anyway, the memories on that night will stay in my mind forever. 

Check out our facebook page Cebu Loves A1 for more updates. 

2012 Chronicles: March in my Favor

Well,  last March 2012, the most significant thing that happened was when Mark Read followed me on twitter. That was March 6 to be exact. After that, I became a fan of twitter.

Also, I was able to watch the advanced screening of The Hunger Games last March 21. The Hunger Games is now one of my favorite movies and I'm really looking forward to seeing its sequel, Catching Fire which will be premiered some time this year.

2012: A1derful February

February 2012

This seems to be the best February I ever had and my second favorite month of 2012. It's because this month, my 10 year dream of seeing a1 in person finally came true. I can still remember how bothered I am thinking that a1 was just here in Cebu and I won't be able to see them. Thanks to internet, facebook and twitter. Researching is really powerful. That's how I found out that they would be having a gig in Magellan's Pub. The excitement and joy I felt that moment was unbelievable. I really do believe dreams come true and just don't lose hope.

Here's the poster of The Greatest Hits Tour - the concert of a1, Blue and Jeff Timmons of 98 degrees. Although I'm not able to watch the concert, I'm still happy I've seen a1 performed live.

A1 in Cebu this November

The popular British-Norweigan band, A1 will be back in Cebu this November 23, 2012 for a benefit concert which will be held in Waterfront Hotel & Casino. Before their "The Greatest Hits Concert" last February 25, A1 visited Cebu (February 16 to be exact) as they were declared the new Ambassadors of Goodwill for the Young Life Healthcare and Education Foundation. It was a surprise since their arrival in Cebu was not publicized. Because of this, I finally met them up close and personal. Supposedly the benefit concert was scheduled last June 8. However, due to the lack of time for preparations and promotions, the management decided to move the concert date to November. Last time I've heard, A1 is planning for an Asian tour that will also kick off in November, though I'm not sure if this is pushing through yet. What's important is, they'll be back in Cebu and I'll be able to see them live in a concert.

VIP ticket is available at 2750 Php. Call 032-3415963 for more details. Please like Cebu Loves A1 Page for more updates.

Courtesy of Young Life Healthcare and Education Foundation Philippines Facebook Page.

The a1 Dream

And so I have this weird dream again. Well, not so weird. I dreamt about a1. In my dream, I know that a1 is here in Cebu. I went in some place which I don't know where exactly it is in Cebu. All I know, a1 is there and I'm right. I saw Mark, Ben and Christian. I'm wondering that they're out there without any guards. So I approached them and they said that they're on their way to the hotel. I joined them. I was amazed that we rode a tricycle and guess who's the driver. It's Ben. So he knows how to drive a tricycle. I was on the backseat and they are actually having a conversation with me. That's just the four of us. Then we arrived. I forgot the exact name of the hotel, but what I remembered, it's Sun Days or Sun's Day. I know that there's a Sun and a Day in the name. I remembered my friends - the admins of Cebu Loves A1 facebook page. I texted one of them and she actually called me. I informed her where I was and I'm with the band and I can't talk to her right now because this seems to be confidential. I just found out that there were some fans expecting them there. My best friend and his family are actually there (the Ortegas). They just arrived from Japan. They were able to have some photo ops with them. I'm the one who actually the photos. Then, the a1 lads were giving some souvenir or memorabilia items to their fans. I was surprised that my high school friend Gladys was there. She's an avid fan of a1 as well and it's because of her that's why I'm an a1 fan as well. I also participated in giving those things to the fans and in back of my mind, I want to get some for me *evil laugh*. When the event was finished, I told myself that this is my chance to have a picture of me and a1. I approached Mark first. I said, "Hey, Mark!" and I informed everyone "This is my idol". Mark replied "I don't care". I'm not sure if he's pertaining to me. He's tired that time and he was speaking with somebody else and he's not looking at me when he said that so I would assume that it's not for me. And there we go. I finally got a picture of me and my idol Mark Read. And then, the worst part of the dream. I woke up. I checked my phone with high hopes that the picture is there and I realized, oh, I was dreaming.

Why do you always wake up if you're on the best part of your dream?!

@a1official Followed Back

Last April 12, A1 - @a1official finally followed me in Twitter! First it's Mark Read, now it's A1. I hope @benadamsuk and @a1christian will do the same.

Mark Read Followed Back

March 6, 2012 - Finally, Mark Read followed me back. This is so great! Mark Read is very active in twitter and he's actually replying to the tweets of his fans. He replied 2 of my tweets so far. Then they (including Ben) announced that they will start following back. I started requesting last March 1. Good thing it did not reach a month considering that they have lots of fans all over the world. Mark Read is one of my favorite singers. I really appreciate that he takes time to interact with his fans even in Twitter despite the busy schedule. He's really someone to look up to. A1 will be back by May or June. I would really save for their concert. 

Reply from Mark Read

Mark Read replied to my Tweet that they will be performing indeed at Magellan's Landing Pub. Thanks Twitter for giving me a chance to communicate with one of my music idols..

In Love With An Angel - Christian Ingebrigtsen and Maria Arredondo

This is the song Sara Skjoldnes (Ben's girlfriend) and Christian sang together last February 18, 2012 at Magellan's Landing Pub. Sara has a very nice voice. The song is very good too. This is the  debut single of Christian when he started his solo career in Norway.  The song became a hit, staying three months in the top 10 list of VG-Lista Topp 20 (Norway's official single chart).

Dreams Do Come True - A1 in Cebu

February 18, 2012

This is one of the best nights of my life. I've finally seen a1 in person and watched them sing live in Magellan's Landing Pub. They sang Caught in the Middle, Everytime, Like A Rose, In Love with an Angel - Sara and Christian duet, Take on Me and Heaven by your Side. That's amazing 6 songs for free!!! Thanks to Young Life Foundation for making this possible and for making my 10 year dream come true. I feel like I'm High School again. They will be back in May for a concert. Time to save.. :D

Here are some of the pics I gathered online. My camera went dead the time they performed so I don't have any pictures of them singing.

Oh, that's me.. with the blue stripe polo shirt.. :D 

Photo credits to the owner.. :D 

Slipped

February 17, 2012

I was in Jollibee, trying to relieve myself because I failed to see a1  yesterday. This is what I've written down while I'm eating:

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-

A1 is really here in Cebu. I regret that I failed to go to the airport yesterday. I so regret it! I should've paid PAGIBIG earlier. I could've seen them in the airport. I saw their pic yesterday at the airport posted in Facebook. They're really outside the arrival station. I would really be able to see them if I go there.

I tried to search what would be their itineraries. I found out that they will have a press conference tomorrow at Magellan's Landing Pub in Marina Mall by noon. I won't be able to go there as well since I have work. Damn it! I hope I would have sales tomorrow so that I will be able to leave early. I'll go on VGH! I found another website though, and it's stated there that they will perform in the same place by 9PM. This is my chance!!! I hope it's true. This is really my only chance to see them!  Good luck to me!

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~~-~-~-~-~-~-~-

When I arrived at home. I checked the A1 Reunited: Philippines group in Facebook and my twitter account, and I saw Mark's Tweet:

I hurried right away to the City Hall, I might be able catch them up there. Unfortunately, they're gone. I went straight ahead to SM and they're still not there. Tomorrow is really my only chance. I have a strong feeling that I will see them tomorrow. 

A1 is Back in the Philippines

I woke up as early as 4 am and here's what I found out. Their concert in Manila will still be on February 25 and they will be coming here in Philippines 9 days early. They're in Doha's airport when this picture was taken, and they're on their way to Cebu!!! I checked the arrival schedules of Mactan International Airport and if the data I gathered are correct, their estimated time of arrival will be 3:55 PM. I have enough time to visit the airport. I want to go there just to have a glimpse of the first band that made me love music. I won't be able to attend their concert because of financial reasons. Hopefully, they would stay here in Cebu even just for a day.

Photo courtesy of a1 Facebook page.

The Greatest Hits Tour Ticket Prices

There you go.. the ticket prices for THE GREATEST HITS TOUR. I think the ticket prices are just fine considering there will be three artists in this event: a1, Blue and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees. I can remember the 2010 Music Festival with Boyce Avenue, Jabbawockeez and Kris Allen. I really bought a Gold Ticket for that concert. I still don't know if I'll be able to watch this concert. I want to, because of a1. Well, a1 is the first band that I liked and the reason why I'm into music now. This might be the last time that they will visit Philippines. They've been here 3 times already. I was still high school back then. 

Boyce Avenue might have a tour next year. If this will be on February, I think I might just go with BA. I'm kinda sure that they will have a Cebu leg. Well, I still hope that I would get to watch a1 sing live. 

Photo courtesy of Manila Concert Scene Facebook page.

A1 in Manila - Confirmed by Mark Read

A1 is really coming back here in Philippines this February 25.. I already missed the Westlife concert and I don’t want to miss this one. 

Time to save money. I don't think this will happen again. This could be the last chance that I'll be able to see them live. 

Happy Birthday Mark Read

November 7 - It's Mark Daniel Read's 33rd birthday!! Mark Read is one of my favorite singers. One of the reasons why I want to be called Mark. :D 

Like him on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/markreadmusic

Photo courtesy of Mark Read's facebook page.