Up close and personal: Janet Jackson in Manila

Unlike Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson does not snub the media.



Being a Janet Jackson fan, I was so kilig (touched) that she chose Manila to kick off her Asian tour, instead of Singapore as originally planned.
I've heard that the last time she was here for her "Janet" tour at the Folk Arts Theater, she cried tears of joy.



My entire Friday was booked for Janet. I stayed home, had a massage, took a nap, then at 4 PM Grace and Kerin rang the doorbell because we carpool in times like these. People, if you're going to concerts and events, do try to carpool with your friends if only to save gas, lessen the traffic and carbon footprints.
Left the house past six. Stopped for burgers and fries, had dinner in the car and continued the long journey to PICC.
We arrived around 8 PM—just in time to see hundreds of fans lined up to enter the venue. We took our place at the end of the line and hoped for the best.
Luckily, Rajo Laurel came out of nowhere and told us he knew of another way in.
We walked all the way to the side entrance facing Sofitel Hotel and entered in a breeze.
Spotted: Supreme's DJ of the Year, Mars Miranda, his girlfriend, stylist Pam Quiñones, and one of our favorite photographers, Mark Nicdao.



Everyone was frisked at the entrance



Even though the ticket said 8 PM, we knew we had time for a class photo


L-R: Rajo, Alexei, Grace, Kerin, Nix, Jeroen, Pam, Mars, Mark
Plus one more, with Mar Roxas



Jeroen was impressed how well preserved PICC is. We love that they kept the retro stuff—you see it is possible to preserve stuff in the Philippines (unlike NAIA which has no charm in its unrenovated state).
We love the retro furniture and hope they always keep them.
Rajo loved the chairs, Jeroen and I love the tables.



You don't see these anymore



Spotted: Dennis Robles, Candy Dizon, Mike Kilayko


Well, we were just drooling over Dennis's Prada SS11 shoes.



Tessa Valdes



Look at this amazing shot inside PICC using Canon S95, no flash.
This is the view from our seat on the front row of the 2nd level.



Before the concert started, I made sure to look for the nearest exit which was to our right.
That's where I took this photo of Tina Daniac. (Parang we have the same shoes.)



Jeroen, who studied Krav Maga, is trained to look around for any suspicious activity.
Just before the concert started he noticed two white security men on our right.



Jeroen says, "I think Janet's coming out from there."
Because I'm skeptical, I said, "I don't think so."
Jeroen: "No I really think she's coming out from there. Why are the white guys there?"
Me: "I really don't think so."
I refused to believe it because I am never that lucky in concerts.
Lights went out, crowd went wild.



I was busy watching the stage when Jeroen tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Look to your right."
That's when I saw Janet Jackson, like freaking almost next to us. I started shaking. I didn't know which gadget to use—the Canon or the Flip video, hence the blurred photo



Thank God she stood there long enough for me to set the Canon to video.
Much as I wanted to scream, I stopped myself because if I did, the video would shake and I would dread hearing my voice on YouTube.



It was only when she reached the stage that I started screaming at the top of my lungs.
She dedicated this music video to the Philippines, "Go Deep", which sounds awesome full blast.



The concert was OK, some thought it was bitin.
I couldn't really get into it because of our seats, plus a few of us noticed Janet was lipsyncing at times because the music kind of skipped once.
Oh, funny thing when the crowd wanted an encore, they chanted "Jah-net! Jah-net! Jah-net!"
I was like, napaka-jejemon naman nito. Makasigaw nga ng "Jeh-net! Jeh-net! Jeh-net!" (Award!)
Grace apparently had a better view and photos from the cheaper seats. Click here
Still, it doesn't change the fact that I love Janet Jackson and always will.