Up until now, I can still vividly remember everything that happened during that day: that day when excitement, nervousness, happiness, and all sorts of emotions were felt, that day which EXO-Ls, like me, have long been waiting for, that day when nothing else mattered, and that day when I just felt extremely grateful for being able to experience another once in a lifetime event! That day was April 28, 2018 and it was the day when EXO Planet # 4: The Elyxion in Manila happened!
EXO Planet #
4: The Elyxion is the fourth solo concert of the K-Pop group, EXO, and Manila
has been lucky enough to be one of the few cities that were included in the
tour. For those of you who are wondering, the meaning of the word Elyxion is “paradise”.
It was set to be held at SM Mall of Asia Arena on April 28, 2018 at 6 PM. It
was just going to be a one night only concert so my friends and I knew right
away that ticketing day will be, somehow, a representation of “the war” (just
like the name of EXO’s album). Ticket prices ranged from 3, 500 Php to 12, 500
Php (plus ticketing charges). Fortunately, my friends and I were able to gather
enough funds to purchase a VIP ticket. All we had to do was to secure one.
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| Photo Credits: Pulp Live World |
Purchasing
of tickets was scheduled on March 4, 2018 and I tell you, that day was just
intense! My friends and I sacrificed sleep and went to SM Sta. Mesa (where we
decided to purchase the tickets) as early as we can. It was still very dark
outside and the mall won’t be open until 10 AM but we were already in line
together with a number of fans who were also going to try their best in
purchasing tickets. I won’t elaborate anymore but upon entering the mall
and while heading to the ticket outlet, things started to get fiercer and more
intense. My friends and I already expected it and we just tried to stay as calm
as we can. We knew that everyone, like us, were just really desperate to see
EXO. At that time, we just need to keep two things in mind. One is to prepare
for the worst and two, still hope and pray for the best.
When
the ticket sales already started, everyone was even more hyped up, and with
just a few minutes since ticketing started, they said that tickets were already
sold out. Sadly, we weren’t able to get tickets during that first wave of sales.
But we didn’t lose hope. We believed that ticket sales will re-open again and
it did. It happened a few times: tickets were sold out – ticket sales system
re-opened – tickets were sold out again – they re-opened the system again. But
still, we weren’t able to purchase tickets. My friends and I were still very
hopeful and no one wanted to go home. We knew that if we were meant to
watch the concert, we will be able to watch it. True enough, after waiting for
several more hours, we were able to purchase tickets! We were able to get VIP
tickets (which is a major upgrade from my Gen Ad ticket 2 years ago when I
watched Exo’luxion)!!
*Click here to read my --> EXO'luxion in Manila Experience ! :)
After
more than 1 month of waiting, the concert day finally came! Even though the concert
will start at 6 PM, my friends and I already arrived at the venue before 9 AM
to get our straps for the queuing line (since we’re going to be in the VIP
standing area). After getting the straps, we’re free to roam around and just go
back in line before 3:30 PM. We used our free time to get some freebies and
giveaways from fan sites, to meet up with some more friends, and to eat lunch.
Before
3:30 PM, we were already back in line and after a few more waiting moments, we
were finally inside the MOA Arena! The place was huge and jam-packed with EXO
fans. And though, we were standing a few rows away from the stage (because
there were already a number of people who got in before us), we can still
clearly see everything.
Random
EXO songs were being played while waiting for the concert to start and at
exactly 6 PM, the concert finally started! The Arena was filled with beaming
lights from EXO light sticks and EXO-Ls started to scream their hearts out,
including me! I told myself that finally, after 2 years, I will be able to see
EXO again, but this time, closer…much closer! Unfortunately, Lay wasn’t able to
join the group once again, but Chanyeol, DO, Kai, Suho, Chen, Xiumin, Baekhyun,
and Sehun were all there performing right in front of us! And yes, they were so
near!!!
Here is the
complete set list for their Manila concert:
Opening VCR,
Intro, The Eve, Forever, Kokobop, Growl, Xiumin and Baekhyun Stage, VCR, I See
You (Kai Solo), VCR, Call Me Baby, Touch It, Chill, For Life (DO Stage ft.
Chanyeol on the piano), Sweet Lies, MENT, Boomerang, Lotto, Ka-Ching, Sing For
You, Playboy (Suho Solo), VCR, Hand (Chanyeol Solo), VCR, Cloud 9, What U Do,
Tender Love, MENT, Walk On Memories, Heaven (Chen Solo), VCR, Go (Sehun Solo),
Diamond, Coming Over, Run This, Drop That, Power (last song), Encore - Don’t Go, MENT, Final encore song - Angel.
And
once again, this night was, truly, A NIGHT TO REMEMBER! Aside from showcasing
their remarkable dance moves and sweet voices, EXO also shared how much they
all love the Philippines and how much they enjoyed spending the night with us.
*Chanyeol and Sehun revealed that they have been visiting the Philippines
for vacation and would definitely want to come back with the other members.
I’m
pretty sure every EXO-L present in that concert did almost the same things that
I did. I screamed my heart out, sang along to every song, danced the night
away, and loved EXO even more! EXO, truly, did not disappoint! EXO promised to
comeback for another concert and with a new album!
After
the concert, all I felt was extreme gratitude: gratitude to God for this
wonderful experience, gratitude to my parents for being so supportive of my
love for EXO, gratitude to the organizers for making this event possible,
gratitude to my friends for sharing this awesome night with me, and gratitude
to myself for always believing that life (through moments like these: moments
that take your breath away, moments when nothing else mattered, moments that
give you genuine happiness) is definitely worth living.
Chanyeol
is really my ultimate bias but I am a supporter of each and every member. All
of them are just too good! I, just, love them all and I hope I will be given
another chance to see them again! Thank you so much, EXO! I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!
Surely, this has been one of the BEST NIGHTS EVER!
And
as they say, WE ARE ONE! EXO SARANGHAJA!
*EXO's next Elyxion Concert will be held on June 2 and 3, 2018 at the Asia World-Expo Arena in Hong Kong.
