Concert Review From Cebu

This review came from Libera 360 website.
It was a warm Sunday night, and Libera was about to start their first of 2 concerts in the Philippines for the first time. I bought 2 tickets, one right at the very front and center, one a row behind it... just to make sure i get a good view. The Concert started promptly at 8pm manila time. I arrived 40 minutes before the start and not more than a couple of hundred people were in. within 20 minutes, the place was jam packed, with at least 30% of the crowed being kids 7-15 year olds. Libera started off with "Adoramus". The lights danced with the beat while audience welcomed the boys with a vibrant applause. They went straight to "Gloria" which was welcomed with another chest shattering applause from the crowed. After Gloria, Ralph and Josh introduced Mini Ben and the next song which was "Far Away." While they were welcoming the Philippine Fans to another one of their concert, a seemingly tired Kavana gave a quick yawn on the side.
Next song was "Stay With Me". Daniel Fontanaz did an amazingly great job on this song! His voice was crystal clear and i didnt detect a single sign of tension on his voice. He sang like a Libera veteran, and flashed a full smile after the song which was returned by a long applause from the crowd. The high parts of "Stay with Me' was shared by Mini-Ben and Matthew.The next song was "Sancte", where Liam led the solo as he kneels in front. This was given another round of grateful applause.The stage faded to black, and when it lit up, Sammy Moriarty was in front and shared a little experience on their recent tour. he then proceeded to introducing the next song which was Secret. The high parts of the intro was played by Fiona's violin solo. The boys split into two groups where Mini-Ben emerged from the back to sing "Secret". The highlight of this song was surprising to me, because it was Jakob Wood who sang with Ben on the high parts. As the song closes, the two halves merged back together with each group facing each other. The close in and right in front was Kavana (left) and James Starkey (right), they ended up face to face where Kavana gave a quick giggle.The next song was salva me where a hooded Stefan Leadbeater was singing the high parts on an elevated podium. I noticed Kavanna as he sang his piece with a lot of feelings and animation. Tom and Josh was towering at the back looking down at the smaller ones with a sense of satisfaction in his face like saying "...our future and secured."Next was the all famous "Sanctus". Stefan and Kavana shared the top notes on this song. Stefan closed with the descending lines on top notes.
Ralph and Ben this time made another interesting adlib, with Ben, with his lively antics tickled the crowed and introduced the last song of the first half which was "Libera".Liam lead the boys in singing Libera. his voice hasn't changed a bit! Honestly i was a little worried if he was gonna make the high part on the ending, seeing how big Liam has gotten, but he virtually WOWED the crowd with his top D finale. The Crowed burst into a 47 second long applause and the lights went out for a 20 minute break.

At the 2nd half, 12 boys came in first, then another group followed with their hoods on and sang "Sakura". This progressed smoothly into "When a Knight Won it's Spurs" where Stefan did the Solo.After this was "Hymn to Beauty". The amazing blending on this song was really something to behold. Then it was James and Freddie who came to join Flynn and Kavanna in front for "Prayer".Liam, Freddie and James did the intro for Fiona on Violin, Robert and Steven on keyboards. They then proceeded to present the next song which was "You Were There".For "You Were There", Josh lead the band with a notable input by little Henry Barrington and Kavanna on the far left side. Accompanying josh on this song was Ben. Directly after this, an all familiar tune started and the crowed burst into a wild applause as "Orinoco Flow" started to play.
At the part of the song where the lyrics are:Turn it up turn it up turn it up Ah-ah-adieu ooh Turn it up turn it up turn it up Ah-ah-adieu ooh Josh was accompanied by Jakob Wood on this notable part. The song finished with a thunderous applause.After this, Mini-Ben did his all famous talk with the "hood" and made a great "Ghost" impression while his hood was down. He introduced the next song which was "Sacris Solemnis".On "Sacris Solemnis" again it was Jakob Wood who did the highest part alternating with Stef who did the stanza part.After the song, the stage darkened again and the boys moved about. i noticed something funny while they were moving, because as it was pitch black, one of the boys has a green light inside their robe apparently. When the lights turned on it was Stefan. I guess he has slipped in his Mobile Phone or PSP even!They sang "Love and Mercy" after this, Josh led them in singing with Daniel joining him.
Freddie introduced the next song which was "I am the Day", and thanked everyone for coming to see them. Josh and Sleg led the singing as the sang IATD amidst the blinding glow of light that enveloped the stage into a heavenly glow which made the boys look more like the Angels they are.The stage darkened, and off they went. The crowed all standing up, yelling for more with 3,500 people simultaneously clapping like crazy and begging for more of the boys.With an anticipated move, they lit the stage up again for their encore. My mind and heart was racing and thinking what could be the song they chose to perform???
With the boys lined up on a semi circular formation, they started humming... it became louder... and louder... and the all too familiar song became to sound clear. It was "BANYAN KO" (My Country)!!! This is a Nationalistic Folk Song in Tagalog (the national language of the Philippines) which is usually sung on national gatherings to invoke patriotism. It was Mini-Ben who led the boys in singing this song which rendered the crowed awed, shouting, gasping and crying. Yes people were tearing up, I know I was. Ben's Tagalog was as clear as can be. It was as if Tagalog was his second language and that he was speaking it for years now. Their rendition was absolute perfection as a GREATFUL Filipino crowed fell in love with a group of boys from south London. A perfect ending to their first concert in the Philippines.After the concert, the crowd gathered in the lobby of the Plenary hall and anticipated the boys. When they appeared for the autograph signing, people cheered and shouted "We Love You!" to the tired but always smiling members. They greeted the crowed with enthusiasm and the Philippines fell in love with them a second time.
A fitting description came from Former Finance Secretary and Chairman of the BAA Dr. Robert de Ocampo: "Libera shows it's self to be both a vocal tour de force and a refreshingly conscientious inspiration, and a now major element in fostering close and excellent Philippine-UK relations as well." He referred to the boys as "Ambassadors of Goodwill", as the boys healed this grieving nation from the past and recent tragedies it has undergone.On the 28th, one hour south of Manila by plane, Cebu will get a chance to fall in love with them. So I'm packing my bags now and I'll see you in Cebu.
Side Notes:
*In between the introduction to "Far Away", Alfie was seen with his right hand tucked inside his robe as he was scratching his left shoulder. funny how he slipped inside his robe leaving the right sleeve dangling.
*Among the 22 boys present, 9 of them wore Lapel Microphones hooked to their ear. They were, I presume, the ones who sang an important part on the concert. (not that the others are not important off course). These boys were:Kavanna Steff Josh Liam Ben Sammy M. Daniel Flynn and Jakob
*Interesting to note that this was the tour where Jakob played a noticeable part in a major concert. and he did it extremely well.