Hi there. So this is the "longer" version of the story that I sent to Pulp re: the Pulp Royalty experience, because 200 words are not enough to describe the whole We The Kings encounter. Plus I haven't really blogged in a while so this is going to be some major update for this online home.

It all started through a friend's SMS to me sometime in March telling me that We The Kings will be having a solo concert in Manila this coming June 7th at the SM Skydome. As soon as I was told, I texted my cousin who is a fan (She loves the band more than I do, to be honest) and it has been an agreement long ago that we are both going to watch and go for the extreme experience of being a Pulp Royalty when they come back. I knew how awesome the perks of a PR bundle was even before but it is actually my first time to grab one.

One April day, I decided to skip morning work to personally acquire/pay/reserve for our passes at the Pulp's office. We were the 2nd/3rd on the PR list, yep, we are THAT excited we have purchased our passes early on. What's next? We wait.

Zooming in to the day of the show: I'm pretty sure the line "She's the girl that no one ever knows.." from their song Say You Like Me would have easily been me. For I am the kind of concertgoer who's contented on the sideline or watching from afar (I am a proud member of the Team GenAd, you see), singing along, thinking that getting to interact with these band dudes/musicians would just be a major bonus, for it is because of the music that's gotten me hooked and it should stay that way. I am just that kind of music lover who likes to live in the moment and not just capture it, so the seat location is not much of an issue to me.

But being a Pulp Royalty has brought being a fangirl into greater heights. I get to meet them for the first time, hug them (Travis Clark is an excellent hugger. All of them are, actually), talk to them and personally thank them for coming here. Charles Trippy even kissed me on the cheek. **I know, right?** ;) I even made a banner the night before of which they've acknowledged as awesome, and I meant every word on it (with reference to one of their songs).

So now I FINALLY get to tell you about the Meet and Greet, yeah? I'm glad it wasn't much of a blur as a spur of the moment would go and that I did get to catalogue it well in my mind.

I learned from previous outings that:

1. You should relax. (No matter how hard that is.) They are humans, too (apparently). They are as normal as the normal guys surrounding you. Make the moment count by not freaking out and stuttering in front of them and ruining the short time that you are given to interact with them.

2) Be natural and interact. Nothing beats the simple random things done while at it. Those are usually the ones that we get to remember; and (as contradicting as it is)

3) Go crazy (the right amount of crazy). You paid to see them, remember? And by the number of people that they get to encounter, there's almost a huge percent that they won't get to remember the little crazy things that you would do/ask them to do. But despite being crazy we should also remember to be respectful and to know our limitations.

I made a small banner with reference to one of their songs off the Somewhere, Somehow album called Sad Song (Without you, I feel broke like I'm half of a whole / without you I've got no hand to hold / without you I feel torn / like a sail in the storm / without you I'm just a sad song) and the banner went like "I am a sad song no more because you came. Thank you, We The Kings." and the band has totally loved it!

I first showed it to Coley and then there's Hunter and Dan. I hugged them and had the copy of my magazine signed (because we were allowed to have at least one item to be signed by the band). I told them about how stoke I was for tonight's show. They told me they also were and that they loved my banner.

And then there's Travis.

Travis: "Hello beautiful, what's up? You're amazing. That's *points to my banner* amazing. I really like your sign."

Me: "Wow thank you. I'm so glad you're here. Thank you for coming." *while we hug* Congratulations on your engagement!"

Travis: "Thank you so much! I'll tell Jenny you said hi"

And then there's Charles.

Charles: "Hey. *smiles* (I couldn't get enough of that voice and that smile) how are you doing?"

Me: *as we hug* "I'm good. Thank you! So excited for tonight"

Charles: "Love this!"

**here goes the craziest thing ever**

Me: "Can you kiss me here? *points to cheek* because my friend has asked..." (And before I was even finished explaining he's already done damages to my already hyperventilating but well contained self, I fought hard not to kiss him back *on the cheek* ha ha kidding. Using the friend card may have made me looked like an idiot but what do I do, he's willing anyway hahaha. That kiss is for Bea, okay!!! The pleasure is mine haha.)

As Charles was signing my magazine I went back to talking to Travis and..

Me: "Can you sing Sad Song later? It's one of my favourites. Actually Say It Now is my favourite."

Travis: "Uh..."

Me: "Can I sing it (Sad Song) with you?"

Travis: "Sure!"

Me: "Joking. I can't sing (on stage, or I'd die) I can but *laughs*"

Travis: *smiling* "We can. But maybe you could go screaming More! More! then maybe we could go back on stage and sing it later"

Me: "Sure will do!"

Note: Sad Song isn't on the printed set list that the techs are giving away but they sang it and although it's probably pre-planned as part of the encore, still, my fangirl heart is happy that Travis has kind of confirmed it to me first hand when I asked him.

They were all too nice, all saying their "I love you's" and then my *precious* time with the band is up and the bouncer told me to turn around for the official photo to be taken and I asked them, "Can we pose like the Power Rangers?" And Travis was like, "How do we do that?" "Like...uh fighting! Anything," I told him. Charles is already doing a pose, with a completely derp face and telling me, "Like this?" "Yeah!"

I got pretty distracted by Charles' feet / kicking pose that I am not sure if I did get to look at the camera but as you can see, the official photos turned out quite funny and cool.

After that, I thank them once again before I leave my cousin's fate to them (she's next in line with me). One of the reasons why I went to the concert aside from the fact that I've been listening to the band for some years is that...my cousin really is an avid fan. As a very supportive cousin I wanted her to experience them to the fullest. It gives me joy to see my family members happy.

Nelle to Coley: "Can I touch your side burns?" :) :)

Nelle to Travis: "You broke my heart." (because of the engagement)

Travis: "Oh...you could be my "fiancee" too."

Travis: "Jenny is nice, you're going to love her."

After all the PR people had their turns, the band left to prepare for the show that's happening in an hour and Charles has stayed to shoot a couple of scenes for his vlog site. (Internet Killed Television -

CTFxC, of which I have recently learned about).

Then the VIPs are allowed to go inside the pit and guess where we ended up? Front row, center of the stage, baby!! Although I gave way to some fans and resorted to the second row most of the time of which I was totally fine. Travis and Charles were interchangingly performing in front of me, who was I to complain? Plus I just made sure that my cousin had the best location in the pit and it sure was.

One more thing that I like about attending concerts like this was getting to meet people of the same interests as you. I've met Sey, Keiko, and the best of friends Grache and Leah. One of which is a former classmate of The Cab PH street team's Lara (I love The Cab and I get to meet Lara this one time at a local Cab day event) and what a small world that is! Pretty awesome. It just eased the tension of waiting for the band to perform, talking and laughing about all of the stuff with these guys and I am so grateful.

Truth is, I am kind of worried about how the crowd turnout would be. The timing of the tour isn't really the best time because of the many other mainstream musicians that are coming to the country this quarter. Also, there's the BRF 3 event of which, I knew a couple of people who had, some had chosen to attend to instead of coming to the WTK show (10 bands against a solo act, well, that should be enough to make them resort to it). And yet, from the moment Travis hit the first lines of their first song, Queen of Hearts in all his might, I couldn't care less anymore. They came to play, they came to give the pleasure back to, in his own words, the "very reason that we are standing here in the stage" and that's US. From Queen of Hearts to Stay Young/Check Yes Juliet, they totally rocked.

Eighteen rocking songs that one could not get enough. The setlist is as follows:

1. Queen of Hearts

2. Skyway Avenue

3. Any Other Way

4. We'll Be A Dream

(with the crowd singing Demi Lovato's part)

5. Whoa

6. She Takes Me High

7. I Like It ("You are all so sexy." The way Travis has said this, ah dang it, too sexy. Not to mention the way he danced to it. Boom panes in front of me.)

8. Secret Valentine ("We wrote this song about sex *the crowd reacts* I'm just being honest. Right now, it's still about sex. *that half laugh is sexy*... Also, he must have been too impressed as the crowd sang along because a smile practically has never left his face.)

9. I Feel Alive (There was a moment there where he wanted the crowd of which we willingly obliged to kind of do a sorority squat, go lower and lower during the pre chorus and let the feels build up til the chorus where he's encouraged everyone to jump as high and dance wildly and go crazy. It was epic!)

10. Just Keep Breathing (One of the most inspirational songs that they've written, he's said)

11. Find You There (The look on their faces as the crowd sing along to every song is priceless)

12. Art of War (I have found out that it is initially written for The Hunger Games. The lines "I'm a soldier 'til it's over" though reminded me so much of The Cab at that moment that I cannot look at Coley for long because he and the keyboard reminded me so much of Marshall. Oh well.)

13. The Middle (Jimmy Eat World cover)

14. I'm Yours (Jason Mraz cover) (There was a funny banter moment where he's like vocalizing and the crowd went singing with him and he playfully went with it)

15. Say You Like Me

16. Check Yes Juliet (The crowd is unstoppable.)

Encore:

17. Sad Song (where Travis has messed up one of Elena Coat's verse/ girl part hahaha you're forgiven, Travis. It happens all the time. It was too cute, though)

18. Stay Young / Check Yes Juliet (best way to end the night)

THE AFTERMATH

So of course, it was so good that it has left us PCD-ing the whole week (even up to this date,). The following days are usually the time where you would realise the stuff that you have done, how awkward or embarassing or weird those were that you just cannot help but laugh at the memory. These are also the days where you'd find out if you've made it to the band/band dude's official "selfie" on the stage with the crowd and in this band's case, the precious vlogs (I figured I have embarassingly made it on Charles' vlog. Uhh well.) I have recorded a few videos from the show, too. Instagram-length-ed kind of videos, mostly banters (most of the songs performed will be up on Youtube, anyway) and been watching them almost every day since. Official photos were released. Reviews are up and you are reliving everything once again.

"Will you come see us again?" Travis, you need not ask. You gave us forever within the limited two-hour set, and we are grateful for that and we will be more than willing to welcome you again when you get back. I know Pulp would second this. ;)

Thank you, Sir Vernon, Ms.Happee and Pulp for this wonderful opportunity!

Til the next rocking concert! (Hello, Bazooka Rocks 3)

All smiles.

My Saturday this week is supposed to be uneventful for my supposed "meet up" and movie date with the friends both have been cancelled, and was already on my way to Bulacan as early as 8am to spend the weekend peacefully at home. Then I asked Rio if she has seen this movie and if she wanted to see it with me this weekend but she declined because she is attending Mitch Albom's book signing.

Of course, I knew about the signing as early as November last year, but I thought it was on a Friday and he's already in Cebu by Saturday because Jov told me so (misleading hahah. But you are forgiven), so I stopped expecting thinking I cannot go on leave at work and won't be able to come anyway. Turned out she was mistaken and both signings were actually on a weekend. 

It is probably one of the most impulsive things that I did in a while, but since the bus is yet to be filled with passengers I got off and headed back to Ayala for the book signing event. 

We started queueing around 10am when the event is supposed to start at 2pm. We were able to get registered around 1pm and I am already the 1228th person in line. I'm still contemplating if he is going to sign all of them but I cannot stay negative for there are at least hundreds next in line and if they were all positive, why should I not be, right? 

The event started around 2pm as scheduled with an interview with Mitch Albom where he has discussed a bit of the new book and the other previous books that he has written. His humble beginnings is particularly inspiring especially how he has reaccounted the days where publishers would reject his "Tuesdays With Morrie" and how it is now the best selling memoir that is out there. It is heartwarming how he has wanted to help the people of Tacloban by donating some of his books and urging his fellow authors/friends (Stephen Chbosky, Sophie Kinsella, Ransom Riggs, Nicholas Sparks and the likes) to help. It is cute how he has sang a bit of an Elvis Presley song as he told the ever attentive fans about their band composing of him and his fellow author friends. What has impressed me the most is his eagerness to reach out with all the expectators from 2pm until the mall closes at 10pm. He did not even have dinner as far as I know and has continued to sign and have photos taken with each of the fans in line. His only "break" is when he would reach out, take selfies with people in front of the stage and he was like "I was told some of you has been here for as early as 4am." Even continuously telling people "Thank you for your patience." When Mitch, we should all thank you for keeping up with everyone, every single one of us in there. 

"Giving is living." I'm giving this signed book to my aunt because it is her birthday soon and if not for her and how she's lend me her Albom books, I would not even get to know and get inspired by his works. 

"Everyone is someone." We may not always know it but we are affecting people in our own little ways and that we are not worthless, at all. 

The first thing that I told him is that "Thank you for doing this" and it speaks for everything; for staying until it's late and being so nice and for inspiring people with his works. We may both looked exhausted in the selfie that I took from the day that it has been but managed to smile and happiness is evident in both our eyes because truly, it is one of those moments to be treasured in the days to come. 

And really, just, thank God for people like Mitch Albom.

Selfie! x

So your friend's been telling me

You've been sleeping with my sweater

And that you can't stop missing me

Bet my friend's been telling you

I'm not doing much better

'Cause I'm missing half of me

And being here without you is like I'm waking up to

Only half a blue sky

Kinda there but not quite

I'm walking around with just one shoe

I'm half a heart without you

I'm half a man at best,

With half an arrow in my chest

I miss everything we do,

I'm half a heart without you

Forget all we said that night

No, it doesn't even matter

'Cause we both got split in two

If you could spare an hour or so,

We'll go for lunch down by the river

We can really talk it through

And being here without you is like I'm waking up to

Only half a blue sky

Kinda there but not quite

I'm walking around with just one shoe

I'm half a heart without you

I'm half a man at best,

With half an arrow in my chest

'Cause I miss everything we do,

I'm half a heart without you

Half a heart without you,

I'm half a heart without you

Though I try to get you out of my head

The truth is I got lost without you

And since then I've been waking up to

Only half a blue sky (only half a blue sky)

Kinda there but not quite

I'm walking around with just one shoe

I'm half a heart without you

I'm half a man at best (half a man at best)

With half an arrow in my chest

I miss everything we do,

I'm half a heart without you

Without you, without you, half a heart without you

Without you, without you, I'm half a heart without you

The love month is almost giving everyone a license to get all sappy and mushy, and this entry is no exemption. I maybe in love. I maybe not. But there is something in this song that has stood out. Maybe it's Zayn Malik's voice. Or maybe it is this idea of someone missing half of himself because of this girl. It's just too sweet for me. But of course, I am not into the idea of having someone to complete us (we should be complete even without that one). I for one don't have a boyfriend yet. Rather, it is just the idea of someone loving someone as much as himself that is overwhelming at some point. And in as much as I love metaphors, it is sometimes the most straightforward stuff that turns me on. Who prefers just words, anyway? These songs are supposed to make us feel something.

As for the choice of song, depending on how you define being a "fan", but I listen to their songs because mostly, it is available for a cousin is an "avid" fan. The resources are there, and we should not deny ourselves of some feel-good tunes, right? They remind me of The Beatles' early tracks which are mostly happy tunes. Ah to be young and to fall in love. It is meant to make one feel happy, and let's leave it like that.

It I'd quite amusing how I have been on a roll both on reading (I already have finished 5 books on my list) and blogging (well if you are to see the archives) for January and now half the love month has passed and I just got off with a book (Alice Sebold's Lucky) earlier and apparently this is my first blog entry for this month.

What the heck has happened?

I don't really know. But here's the deal (quick update).

Not that I got too busy or something, really. It is still the usual going home late night schedule at work plus a few trips at the mall, mainly bookshops and basically I became more "participating" in real life. I get to see and bond with different set of old friends every week of which I am thankful for; us finding the time despite the many unfateful circumstances that is out there.

Trips to the bookshops meant more books added on our newly built shelf on one of our rooms at home. One time I was able to score 5 books amounting to less than 200 bucks. That is really cool and I think Booksale is really heaven sent.

Valentine (February 14th) was, okay, a dinner with the family as per usual.

I usually go out and I'm fine with being a chaperone to a couple of friends in a relationship, seeing them so madly in love and me being the "third wheel" on a dinner or nightout or so in other words. Sometimes, though, you cannot help but think of when are you going to find that imperfect person that is perfect for you. Why he still is not there and when your love and care ever be reciprocated. And then you are thankful because you might not be ready to be truly committed to somebody and He knows it and He let's you wait and trust in Him, you always do.

Love God first and then do whatever you please, The Feast has reminded me on today's session. For it is when we put our love in Him first we will always choose goodness, the righteous. We will choose to love more. We will choose to forgive. We will choose not to sin. It also reminded me to never cease to give for He has given us everything already and we can never beat what He did for us. Just because He loves us too much.

All of these (especially His love and His plans) make me feel hopeful, but never in a hurry. And til then when I am ready...