The Night That Made My Fangirl Heart Happy: My Linggo ng Kabataan Music Festival Experience

Growing up, I've always been amazed by videos of music festivals. The happiness on people's faces while singing along with their favorite singers was so pure. For me, this is a dream that I want to fulfill, to attend music festivals and concerts.

As a fan of various singers and bands, not only here in the Philippines but also Western artists and K-pop groups. It is undeniable that sometimes, I've imagined myself of going to concerts or music festivals with these artists that I admire so much. I've always imagined what it would be like to attend a concert or music festival, seeing idols in person, feeling just pure joy at the venue, and singing along with them.

Honestly, this thought serves as my inspiration to strive hard in life, hoping that someday I would get to experience it myself. In the future, I want to attend concerts of my favorite singers, bands, and K-pop groups. But unexpectedly, that "someday" arrived sooner than I expected.

One day in August 2024, a classmate of mine who is an SK chairman in a certain barangay here in our city told me that there will be a Music Festival as part of the Linggo ng Kabataan celebration. I was even more excited when I found out that one of my favorite bands here in the Philippines, Oh! Caraga, will perform.

What I liked the most was that the ticket price is very affordable. For young people like me who can't afford expensive tickets to see a concert, this is perfect. Plus, the event will be held just here in our city. For me, this is really the answer to my fangirl dreams.

Without hesitation, I immediately bought a ticket with some of my classmates. The thought of finally attending a music festival and seeing Oh! Caraga live made my fangirl heart very happy and excited. I still can't believe that my simple dreams are slowly coming true.

The most awaited day has arrived, August 23, 2024. My classmates and I went to the venue early because we expected many people to attend, especially since the tickets were very affordable. You can enjoy the performances of various local bands and the most anticipated the Oh! Caraga, a popular band in the Philippines at a low ticket price. It was only five in the afternoon when we were there to sit in front of the venue to see each performance clearly. I can't stop my joy and excitement, surely, we are ready to make the most of the night.

Since it was early, we had fun taking lots of pictures while waiting for the event to start. I'm definitely fond of taking pictures because I feel that every picture is like an artifact that you can look back on no matter how much time has passed.

This evening is even more exciting as the winners of the digital poster-making contest in the city will also be announced. One of the participants was my classmate Debrah, who is extremely good at drawing. I know this night will be fun and meaningful, full of fun while we're here. I had no doubt she'd win. because her entry was truly unique.

When the event started, I was also delighted to see my another classmate, Eljen, as one of the hosts. This is another proof of her talent in hosting. Seeing my classmates doing the things they love and they're passionate about made me feel so proud.

The current excitement at the event is noticeable, especially as local bands perform first before the much-anticipated Oh! Caraga. Some of the bands that graced the stage were Meryenda ni Lola, Quiscent, and 90's Beyond. They brought different vibes to the stage, from nostalgic old songs to contemporary songs. You can feel the life of the music in every song they play.

One that I will never forget is Meryenda ni Lola which performed OPM classics like Ang Huling El Bimbo. As they sang, I couldn't help but to sing along because it was one of my favorite songs when I was young. It used to play on our radio a lot so while I was watching them, all the memories of my childhood also came back. It's funny to think how a song can quickly transport you back in time.

Meanwhile, Quiscent brought a unique energy as they performed contemporary OPMs such as Palagi by TJ Monterde, Gusto by Zack Tabudlo, and Sining by Dionela and Jay R. The entire crowd was united in singing along to the song, you could really feel the connection.

After performances by several local bands, the winners of the digital poster-making contest were announced. And guess who is one of the winners? My classmate Debrah! I'm not surprised because I really liked her entry. Besides that her work is always amazing, she always has a unique idea in every painting she makes, truly different and outstanding.

A few hours later, the long-awaited Oh! Caraga finally took the stage. The surroundings were full of cheers and screams as the crowd gave full support to the band. While me? My heart was filled with so much joy. Time seemed to go by so fast because the night was so much fun. Finally, I got to see one of my favorite bands in person. Seeing them perform live was a dream come true. The night seemed complete when they sang "Ipanumpa Ko," my favorite song of them. It's a perfect ending to an already marvelous night.

I really don't regret going to this Linggo ng Kabataan Music Festival. Apart from the fun bonding with classmates and enjoying the music, it felt like a much-needed break from the stress of daily life. I realized how music immensely affects our health, it can lighten our mood and make our day more colorful.

This inspired me to keep working hard so I can go to more concerts in the future, not just Oh! Caraga but also to my other favorite bands and singers. I believe that the day will come that I will fulfill that dream of being part of such meaningful nights.

This Music Festival experience taught me that each of our dreams is worth pursuing. And sometimes, life surprises us with small but important steps towards achieving them. This is just the beginning of achieving my dreams and surely, there are many more nights to remember and I can't wait to experience them all.

That's all for today's blog, everyone. I'd really appreciate it if you could upvote, comment, and share my blog. Thank you so much, Hivers and have a fabulous day ahead!