GOING SEVENTY! SAY THE NAME!

Pre-script: Late upload. Composed this few months ago... 

GOING SEVENTY!!!

Okay, so here's the catch.

I think I have written an essay about my journey slipping into the diamond life of Seventeen. I stanned them knowing someday, they will all be making a very big decision that might change their future and the group's future.

And I did said no matter what decisions they make, I will wholeheartedly accepts it.

The fact that Seventeen has 13 members, few individual activities until recently, each member opening up their instagram accounts and being active here and there, I thought the toughest decision must be coming near. After all, only a year away before the Kpop jinx comes into effect.

I had always adored Seventeen's friendship and bond. Even though at times when watching their reality show 'Going Seventeen', I thought one or two members must be deeply hurt inside when the other members teased them. I thought, at one point, that bond would wore out and reached its limits.

Remember how I wrote in my first essay I wanted to see how far can their rings bring them together and their bond bring them to the future even beyond their idol image; I knew back then, I was hoping more. I was hoping that everything about their rings and bonds were not mere company business.

As I watched them everyday, my hope is seeing light. I started to trust their trusts for each other.

Like I said before, I am a second generation fan. My greatest heartbreak was Jessica leaving Girls Generation so suddenly that I lost focus during my Nursing review days. So is 2NE1 being on long hiatus and suddenly, Minzy left the group then a year after, the total disbandment of the group. 

For the case of 2NE1, I knew from the very start the disbandment would come. But more than the disbandment, I looked into how they would still be together and treat each other as sisters.

AND I WASN'T WRONG.

THE 2NE1 MEMBERS DID HAVE A STRONGER BOND BEYOND THEIR GROUP'S NAME AND FAME.

Everytime I saw their mini interactions and still celebrating their debut anniversary each year, I am astounded. You can agree or disagree with me on this but you can't deny YG is one of the best company to let their previous artists who left the company but can still use their fame and their original group's name no matter what they do and where they do it.

As for SNSD, I am still happy that they also celebrates their anniversary despite three members leaving SM but it will never be the same. I am happy for an OT8 but I will be happier if it is an OT9. No matter how I try to understand, it seemed Jessica was never been there in the first place. A lot may get angry on me with this one but seeing them celebrating it together as 8 members and the members only mentioning Girls Generation as 8 membered group, I can't help but be sad and the same time, mad. Up until now and even maybe in the future, I would never know the reason why SNSD never mentions her already.

Then another heartbreak in the midst of the pandemic, the group I never imagined would disband, disbanded. 

And yes, I am talking about GFRIEND. 

They were immensely popular, they were part of HYBE, they've been very active together before the news broke out. Then suddenly, Weverse announced, GFRIEND is disbanding. 

I still don't know the reason behind, I thought they have big plans coming up, then BUDDIES were devastated APPLE would be the last title track.

After GFriend's disbandment, I grew anxious about Seventeen's future. After all, GFriend was considered as Seventeen's sister. What if 'Ready to Love' would also be the last one?

I admit I wasn't ready. I thought I would be ready no matter what, but it seemed I wasn't. 

Then suddenly Weverse notified, 'ALL 13 MEMBERS RE-SIGNED THEIR CONTRACT'. 

I HAD TO ACTUALLY READ IT THRICE. 

Weverse could have use other terms rather than RE-SIGN. Every English Carat like me really interpreted this in a whole different meaning before we finally understood it. 

Weverse, I beg you, next time please use RENEW!

But despite the confusion, I was greatly relieved when I read the whole article. The decision was unanimous. They even renewed their contract a year before its expiration. And the biggest flex, THE ORIGINAL LINE-UP IS THE SAME!

Not many groups, even they have renewed their contracts, the line up were not the same especially in a group with 13 members. You would predict at least one or two would drop out, BUT NO ONE DID WITH SEVENTEEN. 

In this, I trust their trust with each other. As a fan, and a friend, I am very delighted to hear more 'SAY THE NAME'! I am very happy to hear more of their music, watch more of their variety shows. I can still hope for more SCoups' sulking, care and leadership, Jeonghan's brain and cheating methods, Joshua's Sunday morning version, Jun's endless 1+1 agenda, Hoshi's unending Horanghae meetings, Wonu's specs that never fails to drop during practice video, Woozi's universefactory, Mingyu and Seungkwan's as well as Dino and Seungkwan's constant bickering, The8's eye catching fashion, and Vernon's attractive MEME faces.

Cheer's to a fascinating and bright future for Seventeen. To everyone, do not be afraid. Just slip into diamond life and trust in Seventeen's bond, you'll never regret it.

To Seventeen, thank you for being an inspiration and to your continuous trust to Carats. The path will not always be flowery and heaven, it will also be rocky and hell. But, no matter what path will that it be, Carats will always be with you walking that path. You will feel tired, exhausted, but always remember, you are doing well. Rest if you had to, we will not demand. Instead, we will patiently wait for you. 

Until to the LAST, SAY THE NAME! 

LIFE IS ABOUT DECISIONS

As we grow old, there are decisions we need to make for our future. These decisions can either be the right decision or it can be the wrong one. But like in the title, life is all about making decisions. It is not about making the right decision nor making the wrong decision. It is about standing up for the decisions you make.

If you think that what you decided is the best for you and you never regret taking that decision, then no matter how rocky the road is, you will go forth and will stand by as it is the right decision for you. But if you glitch, thinks that you cannot do it and that it the most regrettable decision you have in your entire life, then you make the biggest wrong decision in life because you cannot stand the decision you make.

Now, every decision comes with great risk and great sacrifice. You will never know a decision if it is right or wrong unless you have risk or sacrifice one important thing or aspect in your life.

Take it for example, when you came of age, what is the best university for you to go for college? Of course first, the university your parents choose for you but you think that university doesn’t suits you. Second, you have a university of your choice but your parents insist that it is not the best university in your country and they do not offer the best quality education.

What will be your decision? Your parents desired university or your dream university?

What will you sacrificed? The trust of your parents as you will disobey their wish or your own trust to yourself that you can eventually prove to them that your choice is what’s best for you?

Another example, when you are choosing what major you will take for college. Your parents wanted you take any health related major such as Nursing or Biology so that eventually, they want you to pursue Medicine and become their pride as a Doctor. But then you felt Medicine wasn’t for you. You are fonder of playing with your paint brushes and sketch pads and canvasses. You wanted to become artist but your parents strongly disagree with you.

What will you decide? Your parents dream for your future or your own dream of future? Your parents will eventually try to bring your dream down as they will tell all the negative things about becoming an artist such as a little money can come out as a reward for that work and it is even not considered as a profession. They will tell you not all are successful in your dream field and will not make you enough of a future.

Can you sacrifice your dream for a better future because you know that becoming a doctor will eventually give you a lots of money and it will settle your future perfectly? Or can you sacrifice that better and perfect future your parents dream about in exchange to a more rocky and harder road of becoming successful as long as it is your dream and not someone else’s dream?

You see, like I said, there is no such thing as an easy decision. One way or another, there are external and internal considerations you have to consider. There are some important things you have to risk or sacrifice if you wanted to achieve your dreams. You may eventually regret those decisions one day, but is it not more important to follow what you desire and what you dream for yourself and your future?

Well, trust me, I am no different from those of you who are making hard decisions about the future particularly those who are working individuals who needs to sustain their families. Especially in the middle of this pandemic crisis, there is no room for selfish decisions and dreams.

I tell you, sacrificing a definite future is like an act of suicide. Who else wanted to give up a very large amount of salary in exchange to a future which holds only a 1% successful rate?

Well, that is me.

Imagine, you are offered thrice the salary you can get from your own country and then just turned it down because you wanted to enter a scholarship only with just thousands of applicants from the entire world. Take note, ENTIRE WORLD! So, you won’t only be competing with aspiring scholars from your country but from entire the world. How fascinating, isn’t it?

But this is my dream. Now, I know, I said this time is not about selfish dreams. Before I exit from Saudi Arabia, I have weighed all the consequences. Almost every night, under my blanket, I cry rivers. I have always trouble going to sleep. I tried diverting my attention by watching movies and Korean dramas after work but it made it worst.

To tell you, I am talking about the GKS or Global Korean Scholarship program. It is a fully funded scholarship (with monthly allowance worth a million won that is around 40 to 45,000 pesos) offered to all aspiring international students who wish to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree in South Korea.

And as I said, it is INTERNATIONAL.

So the acceptance would be 1:50 successful scholar from one’s country. That is just an estimate ration. It still depends how many people knows about this scholarship and if you happen to be reading this lengthy essay, then for sure you are going to search about it. No worries, I will write a separate essay about the whole process of the GKS program.

Back to my story, before I permanently left the Arab country, I assured for an insurance. I made some back-up plans. Like I stated, the chance of getting this scholarship is like 1% only. So I applied to another job which I know it will take a long time before I could leave again the Philippines and will give me enough time to decide until the final result of the successful candidates of the scholarship is announced.

But then, this insured country even though I have a definite employer, there is a round of passing the language examination as well and you had to take 8-10 months to complete the whole language program. So I thought, another big risk but at least with definite employer in the end. At least, I just had to focus on studying the language.

My third insurance, go back to Saudi Arabia. Well, at first I don’t really like working in an Arab country because of some scary stories but when I was there, I saw the value of money and earning much to support my family. So if ever that those first two plans I had fails, then going back to Saudi Arabia would be the best decision.

After I submitted my papers to South Korea, countless nights filled with anxiety came along. The University of my choosing emailed me for an interview and after a day, I had my interview. It didn’t actually went that way I wanted. The department head of Nursing interviewed me, and no matter how kind she was, I was anxious. Some of the questions I answered perfectly with two outstanding questions I thought I failed to give and answer she wanted to hear.

Why my CGPA was low, was there any reason?

I knew well why my grades were not that outstanding during college. And I answered it with full honesty. My father died and he was the main reason why I took Nursing. I had a hard time coping up. But what I wasn’t able to answer was there were numerous times I thought Nursing wasn’t for me, that this profession was not my calling. I thought a lot of time dropping out the major and start another one. Then as time came, I graduated in Nursing.

Another tricky question, how do I diffuse about evidence-based practice?

I blocked out. I knew what evidence-based practice is but I just didn’t knew what to answer. I totally forgot what it was. Then I just answered briefly, through practicing in clinical setting. That was it. Then suddenly she asked, did you practice evidence-based practices? I blocked out again and just answered NO!

I thought that was it. I won’t be accepted. I have a slim chance of getting accepted. Anxiety day and night filled me. I am always thinking in advance. What if I won’t pass, what is next?

Then the results of first round came around April 30. My heart raced fast as I open the email and it trembles me a lot.

I PASSED THE FIRST ROUND!

That was the most thrilling part of my life.  I hoped 50% I will pass, another half percent I won’t. But I continuously prayed to God. This has been my target for a year. Because of this, I had a clear vision of what I want for myself in the future. After 6 years after graduating in college, I had another dream.  I have pictured myself for who I want to be and this is want I want to be. And I thanked God, He listened to me.

But then again, I was conflicted for another couple of sleepless nights with anxiety. While waiting for the second round of results which is slated on May 28, I had trouble making up decisions. I asked God for a sign. If my review for my German class won’t start before that date, then this scholarship is for me. A couple of days after May started, there was an update. And the date is set for our language class. It was two days before the result of GKS.

I was deeply conflicted. Was this it Lord? Are you giving me a sign I won’t get the scholarship? I do not want to think negatively but I was really troubled. I look into a lot of considerations. I prayed to God I really want to pass. I am not losing hope. But I said, if whatever the result will be, then God knows what is best for me.

I had a hard time deciding but eventually in the end, I gave up Germany. It wasn’t really for me. I only wanted to go there because the salary offer is high and that I already had an employer. You see, I know my weakness and interviews are my weakness. So I thought, if I would give up this, how possibly I can find another employer who can accept with stammered interview. But this is it, I quit. I thought there are still other opportunities.

This way, I am only focus with one goal at the moment. That is to wait for the second round of results. And I am hoping for a very good news.

To Be Continued….

LIVING IN AN UNKNOWN PLACE

 LIVING IN AN UNKNOWN PLACE

It was not really an unknown place. It is a country known for its oil industry, for its friendly economy, for its high society. But for a first timer, traveling and living in a different country 5,028 miles away from home country seemed the place is uncharted, unknown.

So, how to live in a place you barely knew? How to adapt with its culture? How do you live without pork serve in your meal to which pork is practically your daily dose of energy? How to deal with its people? How do you know this woman is not that woman because all women are wearing the traditional hijab with black long dress called abaya and niqab covering all the face except the eyes? How to adjust with the traditions and beliefs?

No one said it would be easy. It will never be easy to just stay in the country for the first time and suddenly adapt to its rules and regulations. It will give you a culture shock that is for sure. But you will adjust. You will survive.

And how do you do it?

Simple.

Be like them.

Dress like them.

Think like them.

And you will survive.

Easy to say. Yes. But it is kind of hard to execute. Well, that is if your heart is weak and do not accept and welcome any change in your life.

So, living in a different country was never easy. Your family is miles away from you. Sometimes, when you feel very down, you just wanted a console or a hug from your parents. There is video chat, yes, but the impact is different when they are physically with you at your most vulnerable time rather than just chatting over the phone.

Another thing, the people. There might be people of the same nationality as you, but sometimes, they were the ones who will bring you down instead of supporting you. This was when you finally learn the meaning of crab mentality among your nation. People of the same country exposing dirt about each other to know who gain more sympathy. Some of them will treat you as their real family, some will be your best friends for a lifetime, but most of them will pretend they care but they only care about issues to spread and not your well-being.

Next, people of different nationality. Who said everyone will like you? That is a lie. Well, that is at least to those like you who came from other nations who also just resides in the country and working their shit off for a living and saves money. They will smile in front of you then 1 sec after, they began blabbering about your attitude to everyone even if you are not really doing anything to them. They just don’t like you, that’s it, and they began spreading rumors to other like a wild fire. Some gets your attention, show you some kindness but after accepting their so-called generosity, they will began playing you under the table and becomes the meal. Others, you thought they have care but behind the thought of being genuine comes a silent monster who don’t really know how to respect others. It was an act of being an elder to an innocent child but then suddenly uttering hideous words to a kid with no experience at all.

Then there was a challenge among the capitol. You wake up every morning, go to work and you have to pretend you do not know anything. You observe things but you do not know whether what is real and what is not. There were hearsays but no confirmation except for those good-poised people roaming around from the highest floors down to the basement. Still, nothing was confirmed, everything were just hunches.

Another, being in country opens you to a whole new world. Works are in whole new different level than what you used to do. But the thing was, you went to this unknown place and you should know the consequences. There will be ups and downs. Experienced that three folds. There were things that would bring you to hell and that death will suddenly whisper in your ears. Experienced that too three folds. But be brave. Accept those downfalls and you will find a way to go uphill once again. If you’re a Christian or Catholic, pray to God. If you’re a Muslim, pray to Allah. If you’re an atheist, then convince yourself you can survive on your own. There are more than a million ways to conquer the fear and stop the downfalls. You just got to be brave. Dying maybe a fast solution but it will never bring yourself back, nor even your dreams, your future.

Living in an unknown place is scary. Fear will totally cover you. You do not know what kind of things you may experience. You do not know what kind of future you will have in that place. Your experience might bring you disaster, or it may bring you fortune. This place might deliver you to your lowest self, or it may deliver you to your highest. There is no surety how you will survive, if you will survive. But there is one thing you can be sure of. Living in an unknown place will teach you a lot more than books can teach you. It will shape you as to who you what to be. It will help you find the path you long to find or the path you lost and wanted to walk at it again.

GOODBYE 2020, HELLO 2021!

 Forgetting the pain of the past year.

Just forget everything and move on.

An easy statement to utter but really hard to do no matter how much you wanted it to happen.

Forgetting will never be easy. The pain. The scar. The wound. They maybe bare in front of everyone’s eyes but they are engrave in the deepest of one’s memory.

There are things that are just hard to forget. You may forget it temporarily but the pain of the moment will remind you of the things that you wanted to throw away. No matter how hard you try to forget, you just can’t.

As for me, I’d say if you can’t forget, then at least try to make those painful memories into life lessons. If you can’t forget the pain of the past, then make them your inspiration to be a better person than you are right now. Turn those wounded memories into healing experiences.

The year 2020 became a year full of fear and anxiety because of a deadly virus. The normal environment we used to live in change. We used to smile big and wide showing our whitest of teeth but right now, the genuiness of a smile and reality of happiness only shows through our eyes already. Before, only health care workers on duty were using masks as they attend to their patients, but right now, the mask became a fashion trend in every corner of the world already. We used to gather in large groups to celebrate special occasions of our love ones without thinking of anything but just to have fun, but right now, even eating without adhering to the recommended social distancing between two people is already a big sin, and posting on social medias which we usually do to extend our celebrations and showcase our happiness through our group pictures are already forbidden.

As the year passes, as the deadly virus continued to increase, the fear and anxiety of people increases, most if not all. Protocols, rules and regulations were imposed in every country to fight off and prevent the rapid spread of the virus. The crisis changes the people and the society. Though some  still are not afraid of the aftermath of the deadly memory, people followed the necessary precautions because of fear and for the safety of their families.

In this year, the pandemic crisis is already engrave in everyone’s heart. A lot of innocenct people lost their lives. A lot of families lost their members. Our frontliners most specially our health care providers sufferred the most this year with sleepless nights and heavy duties. The pain brought by this crisis will forever remain in our hearts. We may tend to forget it as time goes by but history will make us remember the sufferings we wanted to throw away.

The memory of this crisis may never leave us but instead of crying over the pain of remembering the past, let us make this as a lesson to improve the health care system and prepare ourselves for any kind of crisis we may face in the future. Let us make our past a long lasting experience that taught us to become a stronger and wiser person.

As a personal ending note for this year, aside from the fear of fighting this pandemic crisis and serving the sick as a health care frontliner, this year drowned me in a lot of tears. There were personal problems I have to face which I almost gave up because it became too much for me to handle. I lost my grandmother and was not able to go home to send her peacefully. I deeply hurt a very dear friend. I blamed myself for a lot of things other people saw as useless things. I may never forget the scar, actually, I will never forget the scar but I will look into these memories as a reminder that I can get through even the hardest of time for my dreams, for my family, for the sake of my future.

So to everyone, we survive this year, we will survive it next year. No matter how deadly this year may have been for us, we will move on and stand up to face the fear of tomorrow. We will end this year with an open heart and we may face the upcoming year with a smile and positive vibe.

K-DRAMA: START UP!!!

So, here's the catch! Who is currently watching this beautiful k-drama series?!

Present!!! 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

Who among you here is torn between the Dosan-Dalmi and Jipyeong-Dalmi couple?

I think, maybe a lot right? Well, some of you wanted the real Do San to be with Dal Mi but I think many of you are getting this second lead syndrome wishing Ji Pyeong to be with Dal Mi in the end.

So here is a personal non-biased opinion.

A little background about the drama. Start Up is about young entrepreneurs who challenge themselves to start up their own business. It is a world created for aspiring entrepreneurs to enhance their skills and put their wild ideas into the realm of business world. 

Dal Mi who lived with her grandmother aspires to become like his late father, a man with great ideas in business innovation. Because of her major heartbreak when her mother and older sister left Dal Mi and her father alone, her grandmother make Ji Pyeong to write love letters towards young Dal Mi to ease her aching heart and to comfort her. Not wanting to reveal his name as it was just a fake stunt, young Ji pyeong used a pen name he saw on the newspaper the day he wrote the first letter, Nam Do San.

Fifteen years later, Dal Mi wanted to meet Do San. Ji Pyeong, on the other hand, finds the real Do San to pose as the person who wrote those letters from fifteen years ago. Without knowing anything and because of the great offer in exchange to posing as Do San, he accepted it.

As the drama proceed to the next episodes, a lot of fans are getting torn between the male leads to whoever is much better for Dal Mi. A lot are getting feel sorry for Ji Pyeong as he deserves to be with Dal Mi since he was the real person behind those letters. Meanwhile, some wanted Do San to be with Dal Mi because he is the real Do San.

So here is the catch. 

Both men deserves to be with the woman they love.

Ji Pyeong wrote those letters out of pity but after seeing Dal Mi with Do San, he realized he fell in love with Dal Mi and regretting not using his name on those letters because he could be happy now with the woman he have known for so long. Meanwhile, Do San fell in love with Dal Mi while playing a role he did not know and keeping a lie while spending time with woman he started to love.

So, if you will ask me, both men are pitying. If Ji Pyeong only uses his real name on those letters, he could have already been happy with Dal Mi. On the other hand, Do San may be happy being with Dal Mi all the time and that Dal Mi really likes him, he is walking with her with a deep lie that could hurt Dal Mi.

Ji Pyeong cannot be with the woman he loves because of his action from the past while Do San maybe with the woman he loves but he doesn't really know if she loves him back for real or she loves him because of those letters.

In the end, it will be Dal Mi to decide who she loves more, the man who wrote those letters from 15 years ago, or the real man who bore the name on those letters.

Everyone has their own opinions. So if you pity Ji Pyeong more because he deserve to be with Dal Mi in the first place, I understand you because I also pity him. But whatever the circumstances are, I pity Do San more. If his name was not used on those letters without his consent, he could have love Dal Mi the other way and that he would not feel insecure if who Dal Mi really loves. His name was the root of all the confusions. I understand his suffering because he knows he cannot love her because everything is a lie most specially those letters.

So everyone, we have our opinions but never disregard the feelings of a person. Enjoy the whole dram guys! 😊

HAPPY NEW YEAR! WELCOME 2020!

Another year is about to end. Another year has yet to begin.

There were many memories created at this year. Some of it were happy, but most of it were painful. It was a year full of challenges. It was a year full of disappointments. It was a year full of ups and downs. If was a year full of secrets and mysteries you wished you should have not known. It was a year full of lies, full issues that destroyed lives of people.

Some people greatly lost their lives because of the harsh reality of life. Some took their lives because of the hurtful words of disrespectful humans who do not have any other lives but to destroy a person’s integrity. Some almost took the liberty of going to the afterlife because of words that are worth a thousand stabs. In short, there were lives who were wasted and almost wasted.

This year showed a new face of reality of the world. It showed how you should trust first yourself before trusting others. It showed how you should not give your full trust to others, but instead, only trust yourself. It also showed how to love first yourself before loving others. That loving others too much more than you love yourself can destroy you. This year also showed that God will always be there for you when you will you are lost in the middle of a dark corner. That even if you lost your way, He will be there to bring you back on track.

But when you thought you will be okay, it showed you, it still hurts. That healing is never been easy. Healing the wounds inside will take time. Forgiving and forgetting might take forever. But, stand up and be brave. Face the new year with a smile and a positive thought. Burn the bad memories into the past, and bravely start new memories in the future.

It will be not be easy to move on. It will not be easy to forget and it will never be easy to forgive. But give yourself a time to heal, a time to move on, a time to forgive and forget. Because remember, God himself forgives those sinful people. And so you will be.

Start the new year with no negative emotions, with no regrets, with no pain. Celebrate the coming of the new year with positivity, happiness, and joy.

BALIK TANAW: IDEAL CUT!!!

I will go. I will not go. I will go. I will not go.

That was me before September 29, 2018.

I do not know if what I should do at the time of ticket selling for Seventeen's Ideal Cut in Manila. I was literally broke to even purchase a General Admission ticket.

But I couldn't resist myself. I couldn't stop myself from seeing them again. I wanted to see them again. I wanted to attend to their concert once again. I wanted to experience the most fun-filled concert I will ever had once again.

That is when I decided, I really need to see them even for a distance. I really need to witness the happiness and feel the energy of Seventeen.

It was almost a year since I have experienced Diamond Edge in Manila. I secretly wished that they will not be coming this year here in the Philippines because I am really broke. I just started my work at a new working environment and that my salary is not still enough for me to save money for their concert. Then they announced it. Seventeen will be coming again to the Philippines for Ideal Cut in Manila.

I do not want to miss any opportunity of attending their concert. I just couldn't stop myself from seeing them again. Then an opportunity came to me and I realized, their Ideal Cut concert might be the last concert I will be attending before taking another stepping stone in my life. The next concert will be 2 years after already.

So I decided I will attend the concert no matter what. I was literally dieting to save money. The fact that I only ate a piece of cupcake and biscuit per day and a cup of coffee three times a day just to save money for the concert. I felt the cravings of eating delicious foods but I resisted. I will do anything to attend their concert. I told myself why do I even bother to go to their concert if I can still have the chance to see them during their fansigning event arranged by the Saem PH the next day after the concert. Well its simply because there are memories you couldn't make at the second time around at the same time and at the same day.

What will happen during their concert here in the Philippines? What kind of jokes the crazy trios aka BooSeokSoon will do during their ments? What kind of fan project will be implemented during the concert? What kind of funny moments and even "kilig" moments will I witness during their concert here in the Philippines? What kind of crazy acts they will pull off just to satisfy the happiness of the craving Carats?

These were the various questions I had in mind. I scanned twitter and instagram and almost watched all of the fancams taken during their concerts in different countries. Then those questions pumped into my head. Well I just couldn't afford to miss those moments.

So I decided to attend and asked in the marketplace for anyone selling their tickets in a cheaper price. But I couldn't find anyone selling their tickets in the same price they got it during the ticket selling. So I was losing hope again. Then I saw someone selling her ticket a bit higher than the original price but to which I can pay a downpayment then the rest will be on D-day. So I grabbed it even though I wasn't really sure if the location was good enough.

The day of the concert was nearing and I just couldn't contain myself in excitement. Being able to see Jun and the other boys was making me flastered. They were the reason why despite of having tired mind and body because of my toxic duties in the hospital, I can still go on and wait for their return in the country. I just couldn't understand myself why I am so into them. Why do I even adore these guys too much?! I just couldn't find any answer to that question until I heard someone uttered something while fighting off the heat and crowdiness of the place during Seventeen's fansign event in Robinsons Galleria. I will tell you more about that later.

And the day comes! Alas! The whole MOA arena was so hyped. I could see from the outside of the arena how much Seventeen's fandom grew in number in the Philippines. For someone who attended their concert in 2 consecutive years, I can say Filipino Carats doubled in number, not to mention those who weren't able to watch their concert. Not to miss out during concert, the giveaways and freebies given out from various sites and group of fans. I actually did participate in one where I distirbuted banners. I didn't really care about Mr. Sunshine being so heated as long as I can collect freebies. The whole day was actually tiring but at the same time, fun. Being able to see those fellow Carats so hyped, lining up to get freebies and shouting everytime a special van crosses by were very precious moments. I just smiled at them and being so proud of Seventeen that they have enormous fanbase in my country. By 4-5pm, we decided to get in line to get inside the arena.

While in the line, the arena were playing several songs of Seventeen, Don't Wanna Cry, Thanks and Aju Nice if my memory served me right. And of course, with the passionate chants of Filipino Carats filled the whole outside of the arena and I know Seventeen just deserved this kind of warm welcome. As we ascend to the line, everyone else was so heated up. I ask myself whether the members could actually hear our screams from inside the arena.

Then we were inside the arena. I was a little bit disappointed since the seat I got was not as good for viewing the whole concert but what choice do I have. As long as I can attend their concert and have fun with them, I don't really care where I am seated. Well not that I don't really care, it was just that I still couldn't afford a VIP ticket. I was so envious of those who were at the VIP section. I don't care if I will stand for three long hours as long as I can see them up close. Because of that, I am more determined and had a clearer view of what I wanted to do next. For their next concert that I will attend in the Philippines, I will definitely be in that section and see them up close.

The clock kept on ticking and all Carats are waiting passionately, cheering and shouting loudly all of the members name. They were playing videos on the screen but what was funny was we couldn't hear anything in our section. By the way, my section was GA 507. There was also one fan in our row who kept on shouting the members' names, I think Seungkwan's name in particular, very loudly, maybe louder than the shout of DK I guess.

7:30 pm ticks in and still the show didn't start immediately on the promise time. It was a bit odd actually considering it was an international singer's concert not to start the show on time. Then the concert started after 30 mins, I say Seventeen adapted well to the Filipino time. 😂😂😂

Still 30 mins after, at 8pm, the whole arena darkened and smoke filled the stage. Then the familiar VCR played on the big screen. Well just by watching the VCR, all Carats were heated. Because my view was not really that good, I moved to the center into the stairs even if it was not allowed. I couldn't care less. I just wanted to enjoy the concert so breaking the concert rules were given.

Then BAAM!!!!

THIRTEEN HANDSOME MEN appeared on stage. I couldn't make myself happier despite of the bad view I had. I am just simply happy I was watching them live again. First song was Highlight. It was one of my favorite Performance Unit's song and this time, they perform it as an opening song and OT13 ver. As what I have said before, they were the only idol group I knew who can rearranged their songs from a unit version to an OT13 version. I just don't know if these guys have something they are not really good at because they are always great in everything they do.

The second song was Thanks. Well Carats are always very thankful to you Seventeen because of your endless passion in creating good music for your fans. It was a remix version where they added some dance break in the middle. It was brilliant actually where they break danced in unit then as a whole. The most catchy choreography I really wanted to see was The8's chorus part then Coups' part in the bridge. I am always holding my breath everytime I watch that part. It was beautifully done and they were so much in sync. Then also the part were we again rap their names. I SUCCEEDED FOR THE FIRST TIME! 🤔🖒👏 I actually had a full video of Thanks and in the last part, I am so proud of myself I didn't made a mistake. I usually make a mistake between Wonu's, Jihoon's, Myungho's and Gyu's names. I always jumped to Gyu's name after chanting Wonu's name. I'm sorry about that but I believe I am not the only Carat who didn't felt the same struggle in chanting their precious names. 😂😂

For the third song, I was expecting they would change their setlist and perform Bring It, the duo of SoonHoon. But I guess I wasn't in luck. Still I enjoyed the next stage which was Flower. The choreo was brilliantly done by our precious maknae, Dino. You deserve the praise my love and you absolutely deserve all the chants Dino. We will protect you our dearest Maknae.

Next song to hit the stage, it was NO F.U.N. Well it was indeed a no fun song but a very hot song. Seventeen dears, you really wanted to melt every Carats soul into the deepest of temptation. Please I ask you to stop giving us a hot stage because it is already hot enough in the Philippines. Don't make us feel hotter and make our minds wilder.

The next song was of no difference. Hot and powerful, that was how I describe the next song, Chuck. Coups fiery eyes and deep voice was very intense. You could really feel his burning passion in performing on stage. I guess everyone else were. Their gazes were very intense to watch and I just fell for them even more.

It was time to cool down the hotness and the first ment was next. Well literally they just talked here and there but I couldn't really understand what they were talking about because I was too pre-occupied of watching every three members leave the stage then comeback then another three members leave again.

Then I was surprised. REALLY SURPRISED!!! 😲😲😲

I heard from my section the fans' footsteps were taking the stairs up and out of the concert hall. I couldn't comprehend what was going on. I just followed them without knowing what was happening when I heard the next song being played.

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?! I was asking myself as all of us were hurriedly going downstairs. And some of them shouted that we will be going on the second floor, on the lower box section.

WHAT?! 😲😲😲

I just couldn't comprehend anymore because the song that was playing already was the reason I wanted to attend the concert and my second favorite song, next to Ulgo Shipji Anha. 😢😢😢 But they were making us run fast downtairs. And true enough, they made us entered the second floor, into the lower box section. I have mixed feelings. When we entered again the concert hall, Run to You was already at the bridge part. I was not able to witness the whole stage of Run to You.

I was disappointed but at the same time, excited and overwhelmed! I, who was at the general admission, suddenly came closer to Seventeen's stage. IT WAS INDEED THE BEST CONCERT EVER!!! 😍😍😍

Even though I was a bit disappointed because of Run to You, I still looked in the better perspective. The view in the section was way too better than our view in 507. Let me just jump forward a little bit. When scanning the Seventeen Philippines group, I read a post that a member of Seventeen actually asked the staff about moving the fans in the 507 and 516 section to the second floor. It was rumored that was DK when he went backstage during their ment portion. But whoever it was, it was definitely Seventeen who did it. And because of that, I even fell for them more. You can really feel the care they have to their fans.

Let's go back to the concert scene. After our dramatic and exciting change of section, the next song was played. It was a way they describe all their fans, Beautiful! It is a mixed unit song but they again rearranged it to be an OT13 version. My most favorite scene was Wonhui slapping of butt game after the first chorus. I'm sorry but I am a Wonhui trash so to all Meanie fans and Junhao fans, no worries because there were also a lot of Gyuhaos' moments.

The next song was maybe the most intimidating and powerful song of Seventeen. Well simply because it is the leader line's song, Change Up. They did change, from being cute little puppies into handsome good looking men they are today. But their music was still the same, the same as only Seventeen is the only group who can pull off their own style of music, of creating their own type of song.

The next VCR was played and it was hiphop unit's vcr. It only means the next stage will be taken by the ever powerful rappers of Seventeen. The VCR ended and the next song was played, it was the remix version of Ung Haeng Il Chi. They sat on those sits like boss and they tried to deteriorized our visions because of their visuals and hotness. I just banged my head with them as they sing the song.

Then their next song was an unreleased one, Bow Down. They are the only group that I also knew who can only sing an unreleased song on their concert. Even if I don't understand a thing on their new song, I enjoyed it because I knew they again made a masterpiece song that connects well with their fans.

The Vocal unit's VCR was next played and I am about to hear again a very sincere and heartfelt performance by the group's main moodmakers. Their first song was Habit (remix version). It is one of my favorite vocal unit's song because you can feel the harmony and tense of their voices to which was very relaxing to the ear.

The next song was Pinwheel. It was again one of my favorite vocal unit's song (actually they are all my favorite 😅😅). Let me tell you, I don't really appreciate ballad songs. They are, for me, a lullaby song to which you will immediately fall asleep without even finishing the song. But not with Seventeen's music, not with Vocal unit's songs. The acoustic electric guitar sound blended with soft piano tune is very soothing to hear. Imagine yourself sitting on your front porch and watching the rain pour down while listening to this kind of music, trust me it is very relaxing. All of your toxicities and problems in life will be gone. That is how I feel, try it once if you like.

It was my favorite unit's stage once again. The perfomance unit's VCR played and I screamed hard. I had a thing with dancers that is why I love performance unit. Their energy is somewhat incomparable to the rest of the members of the group. The other members of Seventeen even admit to themselves that performance unit is always the best in performing on stage. Their song was Swimming Fool. Yes we are fools because we are deeply in love with you boys. They are so playful on stage and they even remix the end chorus into a slow motion dance. That was fun actually seeing them playing on the stage.

Next one was Jam Jam remix version. Well what can you expect from the performance team but a very energetic rhythm dance. All Carats just jammed wtih the song and dance along with the unit. And please Jun, stop making my heart fluttered everytime you show up on the screen. This innocent man is nothing but a sweet, pure guy who keep all his problems under his shirt so as not to damage the image of the group. Yes I am a Jun bias and you could see the attention the other members of Seventeen is giving him because they worry about him and they care about him.

Ok so to continue the fun, Bongbongie!!!! Seventeen's Thinking About You Bongbong ver. was the next song. They were really cute wearing those little objects that defines them. S.coups of course was holding the leader flag defining him as the overall leader of Seventeen and Carat. Jeonghan wore those angel's wings and he looked beautiful. Joshua was with his little guitar. Jun of course, my forever love, was holding his cat stuffed toy. I wished to actually buy the same stuffed toy as him 😅😅😅. Prince Hoshi was wearing his red prince coat of course. Wonwoo, the game addict was of course holding his cellphone with bongbong sticker. Woozi, well for Woozi, I am not quite sure of what he was wearing on his hands. It was some kind of circled pouch or something. If anyone knows about it, feel free to comment down or tell me. The8, the real photographer of SVT was holding his precious camera. Mingyu's mic has an MC word means he was the best mc of SVT. DK, always the human loudspeaker of SVT held his megaphone to which I think his voice is the megaphone itself. Boo Seungkwan was with his basket of tangerines. Vernon was looking cool with his headphones. And lastly, the golden Maknae, Dino with letters on his shirt being the golden maknae. Too bad, he was not wearing his dinosaur feet.

The next song was also one of my favorites, Hello. The trio, Jun-DK-Gyu first sang the song during their Seventeen Debut project. And the song was also the only song among the 4 songs they produced during the project that was released with the original members of team C and it was also the last song to be released as well. NO FUN became a group song while OMG became a performance unit song and Drift Away was released as a mixed unit song. Hello balanced off the units with each member from the 3 units completed the trio group. They actually threw roses during the end part. I wished that was me who catched the rose of Jun.

Then it was time to take the sky rocket and flew around the universe with the English line's song, Rocket. Vernon and Shua sang the english ver. of the song actually because they knew Filipinos are fluent in english. But I was actually more used to singing along with the Korean ver. Joshua lost in the rock-paper-scissor game during the dance break so he did freestyle dance as a punishment.

Next song is the song I didn't liked at first, but definitely became one of my favorite songs, Pretty U. Well as expected of the song, they all just played on the stage. And for Seungkwan's triple high note, I just love it. I wish I could also sing like him. And I also remember, they tripped off on the stage while pushing the cushion. They were all laughing because as they claim, it was their first time to lose the balance while pushing the cushion. 😅😅😅 Seungkwan was actually laughing before hitting his high notes and almost didn't reach it 😂😂😂

Next VCR was played and after it, it was time to sing Carat's national anthem, Shining Diamond! "Oh I'm that Diamond. You can't copy this, Seventeen Carat!" I only realize the leaders wore something on their arm identifying them as the leaders of the group. The members really have high respect to their leaders. And of course, Shining Diamond is still one of the most superior song ofe Seventeen.

"Akkinda!" Adore U was next on the sleeve and as always, they are very playful on stage. They always goof around then suddenly becomes on sync when dancing.

Then after, Oh My was next. Their latest song from their latest album. This song really freshes up the mood and it is really light to hear. This song I think is the first song they actually have a fair line distribution. All of them got lines and time to sing. Jun specially of course, my forever bias. Also one of the highlights was the bridge part where we all sang together the "Oh oh oh oh, yeah yeah yeah yeah!" They actually mentioned during their next ment that Filipinos are indeed talented singers because we sang that part beautifully. So they made us sing that part again during the ment.

After which, they did another ment. Well I don't really remember everything what happened during the ment portion because I was too preoccupied in watching them rather than listening to them since I don't understand a thing. But I remember, we were teasing Jeonghan and shouting "iiyak na 'yan!" because his birthday is only few days away. Then when they got to know the meaning, Mingyu suddenly dance to Twice TT. 😅😅😅. Then they said the next song will already be the last song, and we all shouted NO!!!!

The next song was BAKSU! Well, this is one of my fave song. Simply because Jun was the ending center 😂😂😂. I am really sorry because I am really a Jun trash 😅😅😅. Forgive me about that. But then I love this song because it was very cool most specially Vernon's rap part. I really know the lyrics of that part.

"ENCORE, ENCORE, ENCORE!"

The whole arena was filled with chant of encore. It means that it was time for encore stage already. Some fans also chanted "WALANG UUWI!!!" 😁😁😁 Well no one really wanted to go home and end a fun-filled concert.

Then the arena became dark again and the last VCR played. After which, the members came out and sang Campfire. The song was very soothing and relaxing. Just imagine yourself in a camp in front of a bonfire then singing to this song, it is very relaxing. Then in fornt of that bonfire, you will just tell stories with each other while the song was playing as background. Ah! I miss camping days. I hope to go to another camp once again. The members just sing to the song as if we were really on a camping ground.

After the song, they did their ending ment. All of them thanked the undying support of carats. And that they promise they will come back in the Philippines for another concert because really, Philippines was one of their most unforgettable concert during the whole tour. Not to mention, Seungkwan said he won't forget about the cushion scene during Pretty U. And of course, the beautiful medley of Filipino Carats singing "Oh oh oh oh oh, yeah yeah yeah yeah" part in Oh My! Another highlight I remebered during their last ment was the cheers for the golden maknae, Dino. I was actually surprised by how loud the cheers was for him. I didn't expect thay he would actually get the loudest cheers from the Filipino Carats. I actually screamed louder during his part than my bias, Jun. Well again, Dino deserve all those cheers and love. He is indeed the maknae on top.

After the ment, they sing their encore songs already including Healing then the very last one, Aju nice! I scanned all their previous concerts that the encore took very long because of Aju Nice. An endless Aju nice as what other fans called. I thought it was too much to sing it very long but trust me, I just jump and jump that I didn't remember how many times they sang Aju Nice in the ending 😅😅😅. All of us just wore off and just jump to the song.

At last, it was really time to say goodbye. But in every ending only means a new beginning. The concert may have ended but the support of Filipino Carats for Seventeen will never end. It may be difficult at times to support the boys because not all of us are rich kids and not really have all the money to buy every album and merchandise they release, but as long as we support them through thick and thin, that is more than enough to comfort them and assure them that Carats will always be on their side.

So to all Filipino Carats, be patient to wait for the boys come back again in the Philippines!

I still have things to write but it will be on a different post already. It is about Seventeen Fansign event organize by The Saem.

UPDATE: Filipino Carats!!!! Be ready!!! Seventeen is coming back to Manila!!! Stay tuned ODE TO YOU IN MANILA on FEBRUARY and be sure to welcome them and support them!!!

I wanted to go to their concert but as of the moment, I am currently in another country, working and sacrificing myself for a better future and also for Seventeen so that next time, I will see them really upclose already! I just do hope when they come back again to the Philippines after Ode to You Manila, I will be there at their concert once again. I do miss them really!!! 😢😢😢😘😘😘