Filipinos love concerts, but venue infrastructure gaps are a threat to the experience

Countries with better, bigger, and more competitive concert venues have reaped economic benefits, especially with the massive and significant influence of popular international acts like pop superstar Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Coldplay’s World Tour in consumer behavior and spending. 

Driving tens of thousands of ‘Swifties’ and concert enthusiasts, the success of these concerts was an economic stimulus for countries worldwide, including Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and Japan.  Filipino fans alike had to spend big and travel miles to watch the exclusive performance of superstar Swift in Singapore’s National Stadium while others went to Japan’s Tokyo Dome and Sydney’s Accor Stadium in Australia. The massive concert gigs boosted the respective country’s economies, benefitting entertainment, hospitality, retail, and transport industries significantly.


While Singapore’s strategy for a Southeast Asia exclusive Swift performance piqued interest and likewise piqued its neighboring countries, the strategic move sparked conversations and brought to light what the Philippines can improve on in terms of concert venues.

1. Location is key

The Philippines doesn’t lack in big venues. In fact, it boasts of venues that can rival Singapore’s National Stadium and Japan’s Tokyo Dome. Accessibility to the location as well as public transportation and nearby commercial establishments are key.

2. Concert Experience

Photo credit to Stanley Quek. An empty Singapore National Stadium, viewed from the front stage.

Singapore’s pride, the National Stadium, has innovative features such as the world’s largest free-spanning dome, a retractable roof and comfort cooling technology for spectators’ convenience. Its innovation, strategic location, and efficiency bring positive and immersive experiences for enthusiasts and concert fans, making it a magnet for entertainment acts from all over the world. A similar concert venue and experience is something that Filipino concertgoers are hoping the country can replicate. 

3. World-class concert amenities and facilities

Accessing the venue's amenities and facilities should offer a premium music experience for concert enthusiasts or convenience in a sporting event.

Architectural “Eyecon” SM Mall of Asia Arena prides itself on having exceptional world-class amenities unique in the Southeast Asia region. –Photo from SM MOA Arena official website

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 held in SM Mall of Asia Arena – Photo from SM MOA Arena official website

Take for example the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena – a flexible indoor arena developed in 2012 by leading integrated property developer SM Prime – that has been a top-of-mind venue for all sorts of events and offers a unique concert experience. With a full house seating capacity of 20,000, it has been a haven for thrilling sports events, remarkable OPM shows, and unforgettable international superstar performances. 

Meanwhile, the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque City is likewise an enormous outdoor venue that can accommodate at least 50,000 people. Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour and Rivermaya The Reunion were among the performers that have graced the stage recently.

4. Achieving Filipinos’ concert dreams

One of the most forward-looking plans of SM Prime is its 360-hectare smart city development which is envisioned to bring in a centerpiece to the country’s entertainment and sporting events – larger in capacity and a more enhanced venue infrastructure that would attract legendary icons in the entertainment scene and compete against Southeast Asia and the world’s best. It will feature an estimated 70,000-capacity stadium and concert arena connected to one of the island’s main destination paradises called Central Park. The sizable arena is envisioned to be the Philippines’ biggest concert venue, with world-class facilities and sustainable features, comparable to other big concert venues worldwide. Once that’s built, Filipinos won’t have to fly overseas because they can watch top-tier performances right from the comfort of their home country.

An artist’s render, visual sketch of the proposed concert venue at Pasay 360 project.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/band-playing-on-stage-2747446/

Without a doubt, Pinoys live and breathe entertainment shows. In fact, Filipinos are the 4th top concert spenders in Asia-Pacific according to digital payments company Visa, proof of how passionate we are about concerts. By investing in the development of modern, smart, and accessible concert venues, Filipino concert enthusiasts can continue to embrace and celebrate live performances with the convenience, comfort, and enjoyment they deserve. Beyond entertainment, well-curated, smart, and innovative concert facilities can further drive economic benefits to the Philippines’ national and local economies, including ancillary local spending in retail, tourism, and hospitality.

PLDT Gabay Guro celebrates 12 years on September 22 at the MOA Arena

PLDT-Smart Foundation’s flagship advocacy program for teachers, Gabay Guro, celebrates its 12th anniversary with a star-studded Grand Gathering and launch of the Gabay Guro App on September 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

This year, Gabay Guro is gathering over 20,000 teachers from all over the country for a star-studded Teachers’ Tribute headlined by country’s biggest stars including Aegis, Angeline Quinto, Christian Bautista, Eat Bulaga BakClash, Eat Bulaga Broadway Boys, Edward Barbers, Erik Santos, Darren Espanto, Gabby Concepcion, Ian Veneracion,  Jaya, Jay-R, Jayson Dy, Jed Madela, Jona, K Brosas, Klarisse De Guzman, Kyla, Kuh Ledesma, Martin Nievera, Maymay Entrata, Moira dela Torre, Piolo Pascual, Pops Fernandez, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Zephanie Dimaranan. In support for the Gabay Guro, talent managements Cornerstone Entertainment Inc. and Eat Bulaga enlisted their celebrity talents to perform for the Grand Gathering as volunteers. The event will be hosted by Jose and Wally and Dimples Romana.

At the Grand Gathering, teachers will also get a chance to win exciting prizes from Gabay Guro’s partners, such as 100 winners of Accident Insurance Policies for 1 year from Inlife Sheroes, gift certificates from Don Henrico’s, Fitness First, Jollibee, and Penshoppe.  Gift packs from Colgate and Palmolive, Pilipinas Alibaba, and Unilab Consumer Health; gadgets and free subscriptions from PLDT Home; gadgets and mobile phones from Smart, Sun and TNT; travel and leisure escape by First United Travel, Inc., and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar; and free entrance tickets to Enchanted Kingdom; cash vouchers from Aveda, Shopee and Lazada; Television sets by Devant; cash prizes from PLDT-Smart Foundation, Pecci, and Telescoop; livelihood packages from Reyes Haircutters; motorcycle from Motorlandia; a Gratour van from Foton; and a brand new house and lot as the major prize.  The event is exclusive to teachers, and admission is FREE just get your tickets from your local Dep Ed unit.

From L-R: Chaye Cabal-Revilla (Chairperson of Gabay Guro), Noelle Aujero (Head of Marketing, FOTON), Miriam Ochoa (Chief Marketing Officer of Inlife Sheros) and John Yanez, Head of Tribute Pillar of Gabay Guro

“Gabay Guro continues to develop innovative programs for our teachers and our partners in nation-building,” Gabay Guro Chairperson Chaye Cabal-Revilla said. “Every year, it is our great honor to be able to give back to our teachers through a grand tribute and we always look forward to continuing this mission and empower them through Gabay Guro’s previously 6 and now 7 core pillars of learning.”

Since 2007, Gabay Guro has been empowering teachers across the country through its seven key pillars: housing and educational facilities; scholarships; trainings; livelihood programs; broadbanding and computerization; annual Teacher’s Tribute; and the newly launched innovations pillar.

The new Innovations Pillar of Gabay Guro aims to reinforce the digital transformation for Filipino teachers, school leaders, and stakeholders by equipping them with new modes of teaching and the latest technology that will enable them to create, grow, and evolve their craft for the benefit of their students.

Backed by this new learning pillar, Gabay Guro introduces an exclusive application for teachers that will provide e-learning content and interactive technology and ready-to-use online tools that are aligned with the DepEd and CHED curriculum. This will provide teachers with the latest and easily accessible educational resources right at their fingertips. The new Gabay Guro app will be launched at the Gabay Guro Grand Gathering event at the Mall of Asia Arena on September 22.

Since its founding, Gabay Guro has built and donated 47 classrooms nationwide and provided over 1,770 scholarship grants through its 57 partner schools, which have been equipped with new computers and broadband connectivity. Of its scholars, 1,013 have graduated, with 343 finishing with honors. About 680 graduates have also passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers.

Over the years, more than 60,000 educators have also benefitted from Gabay Guro's nine regular training programs including: Teacher’s Treasure Chest; English Proficiency Program; Personality Development; Emotional Intelligence; Teachers’ Armor; Leadership Training; IT Sustainability and Literacy; Teaching in the Digital Age; and Unleashing Creativity in Teaching. Gabay Guro also links schools to communities and industries through workshops and seminars. This helps promote an innovative mindset and unlocks opportunities for teachers, school leaders and staff.

Gabay Guro also holds Teachers’ Tribute in different provinces in the Philippines. Through the "Teacherfest,", Gabay Guro’s satellite and localized tribute celebration with teachers in key cities around the country, more teachers from remote areas are able to share in the fun and frivolity. Gabay Guro has successfully mounted the Teacherfests in the provinces including Metro Cauayan Isabela, Santa Rosa Laguna, Bataan, Butuan, Bulacan, Navotas, and Davao.

Gabay Guro’s efforts have also been recognized by various award-giving bodies in the Philippines and abroad including Gawad Tanglaw, Anvil Awards, Philippine Quill Awards, Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA) Awards, and the CMO Asia Awards in Singapore.

To secure passes to the Gabay Guro’s Grand Gathering, teachers may visit Gabay Guro's official Facebook account, and follow its official Twitter and Instagram accounts @PLDTGabayGuro for updates.

Gabay Guro Grand Gathering 2019 is made possible by the support of Aveda, Colgate-Palmolive, Conzace, Devant, Don Henrico’s, Enchanted Kingdom, First United Travel, Inc., Fitness First, Foton, Inlife Sheroes, Jollibee, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Levi’s, Manila Doctors Hospital, Motorlandia, Penshoppe, Pilipinas Alibaba – Zeegee Powered Drinks, PLDT Home, Reyes Haircutters, Shopee, Smart, Sun, TNT, UL Skin Sciences Incorporated, Unilab Consumer Health, Eat Bulaga and Cornerstone Entertainment Inc.