November 7th - First/Only Show (so far...): It was a great show, and one of the great concerts by a foreign artist in the Philippines. The show even had a 'repeat' after two weeks, [extending his stay]. No other artist ever made that kind of performance! The show started with "Ready To Take A Chance Again" and ended with "Looks Like We Made It". - Reggie Rodriguez (6/2/97)Watching Barry sing made me feel totally different. I felt so in love with his music, his voice, the way he carries himself. Everything about him fascinates me. I feel crazy about him! Everytime I hear his voice over the radio, I feel the magic of his songs as though he was singing them in front of me. Although I am married, there is a different feeling in me for Barry ... It is crazy I admit, but if ever my husband reads this, I am willing to divorce him. I wish Barry would come back to the Philippines because a lot of Filipinos just appreciate his music! - Anicia Blanca T. Bondoc (of The Philippines) (12/20/98)
First Show (November 7): It was such a grand, crazy moment - Filipinos flocked to the concert venue, causing a major traffic jam and clogging streets everywhere. My friends and I had to walk about a quarter of an hour (all the parking spots near the concert venue had been taken) just to reach the stadium. By the time we got inside, the concert had already begun (he was already singing "Can't Smile Without You"). Hearing his voice live for the first time literally felt like having a bucket of ice water poured down my back - I can still feel the shivers, Even Now! Filipinos are born romantics, and it wasn't a surprise to see them filling up the entire stadium. The seats were all taken, and tens of thousands of concert-goers had scattered all throughout the football field. Everyone knew the songs and sang the lyrics along with him. The field just reverberated with all those great words and melodies. What I liked most about the concert was my personal moment of embarrassment. I'm actually so familiar with his songs that I can recognize what it is on the first note. I remember screaming (just a bit?) when he hit the first note of "Looks Like We Made It" (one of my personal favorites) on his piano. Well, the rest of humanity didn't have as quick a reaction time - good thing the throng hid me when I dove to the ground in embarrassment (blush). Seeing him perform that night was the fulfillment of one of my little girl dreams. After seeing his televised performance at the Greek Theatre for countless times (that was back in 1980 or so, when I was still a child), I had always wanted to hear those heartfelt songs sung live. I can only say that his concert was indeed worth the wait. I'm still waiting for the day when I can see him perform live in Manila for the second time - I hope it won't take another decade or so!! - Renny (of The Philippines)
November 7: It has fulfilled my long-time dream of hearing and seeing my favorite performer in the flesh! It was also the best gift I ever received for my birthday. I hope I'll get to see Barry perform again here in Manila. - Weiss Tiongson (Manila, Philippines) (11/12/2000)
I am a Barry Manilow fan. But that is the understatement of the decade! As I write this, I am listening to his Greatest Hits CD. I brought my wife along that starry November evening for the concert in Pasig City. I hope she didn't feel jealous because I know all of Barry's songs by heart as I was singing along the whole evening (which caught my wife by surprise!). I hope when Barry does come again for another concert here (...soon?) we can do a duet together, even if I am not a professional singer. Barry's concert hit the front pages of national dailies here for weeks! No groups were able to do that, not even the Beatles. We call it "Barry Mania." - L. Encarnacion (of The Philippines) (8/27/2001)
November 7: The concert was spectacular! Filipinos loved it so much I'm surprised he has not done a repeat after 10 years. [This concert] happens to be my personal favorite because not only did I enjoy his performance tremendously, it became more memorable for me because my best friend and I were caught unaware by the camera singing and shouting his name at the top of our voices! And this particular concert night was even shown on Philippine TV so my friend and I had our share of five minutes of fame as we were singing "As Sure As I'm Standin' Here" with Barry. How I wish he/we could do it all again! - Maria Christie V. Fernando (Manila, Philippines) (3/5/2002)
I simply love Barry Manilow! As a teenager, I promised myself that I'd go to see his concert no matter what the cost, although at the time, the possibility of him ever visiting Manila was so unlikely. And so after more than 10 years of waiting, my dream of witnessing him perform live finally came true. He was magnificent! Now that I'm in Canada, if he'd ever stage a performance in the great prairie City of Winnipeg, I can assure you that I'd be one of the audience at the front seat! - Helen Languisan (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) (6/13/2002)
All those years I was living and working in Manila I had been to a lot of concerts, and during those times I kept on hoping that one day I could see Barry perform live in front of my very eyes. It took years of waiting for my ultimate dream concert to happen ... I watched his concert twice in Manila, first at our PICC where we sat in one of the best seats. I can't describe my feeling when he came out, moreso when he started to sing... I cried! Then came his concert in ULTRA which is a massive stadium. Again I was there on his first day but that time it was like a pandemonium. My friends and I weren't able to find our seats. It was an enormous crowd - [obviously] I wasn't the only one who love Barry so much! I guess 9 out of 10 Filipinos love his music because he's different. I feel some kind of fulfillment after I saw him. I love his music and his melody; his repertoire is excellent. How I wish I'll have another chance to see him again, even here in the U.K. - Cecilia M.P. (of the United Kingdom)
It was a dream come true! Since high school my sister and I had been waiting for that moment when Barry would finally come for a concert in the Philippines. I had been calling hotels and possible venues of his concert years before he actually came to the Philippines, and at long last, I saw him on stage... his moves, his style, his music! I practically know all lyrics of his songs, most of them even became part of my personal life: I Made It Through The Rain, Looks Like We Made It, Ready to Take a Chance Again, and all the rest. I just love Barry and his music. I hope my daughter can have the chance of experiencing his music live and in person!! - Cecille Perez (Manila, Philippines) (1/8/2005)
I sat in one of the first rows. I saved money for that concert. I love Barry Manilow and it's my dream to have a photo with him - my ultimate dream. I will be seeing Barry when he comes to Jacksonville, FL (January 2011). It will be my 50th birthday! - Jo-Ann Bolante (Jacksonville, FL) (10/7/2010)
November 7: Although I had seen Barry the night before -- which happens to be our wedding anniversary -- this was the best concert ever! My whole family was with me. He caused traffic in the city! Perfect romantic evening under the stars. A dream come true! Every one was singing along, fans screaming. I can sing his song in one note! Goose bumps on goose bumps on every song he sang. I felt he was serenading me. I have watched his show three nights in a row and then came back again for "THE REPEAT." It was a great show, wonderful showmanship. He is the only artist to make a repeat concert. Too bad he hasn't been back to Manila. I' m so lucky I have migrated to the US and watch his shows. - Zenaida Millan (Plano, Texas) (2/17/2017)
November 7 - Highlights: Somewhere In The Night / Can't Smile Without You / This One's For You / Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again / A Little Travelling Music, Please / New York City Rhythm / Avenue C / Jumpin' At The Woodside / Bandstand Boogie / Weekend In New England / I Made It Through The Rain / Copacabana / Another Life / Somewhere Down The Road / Even Now / Medley featuring Debra Byrd (Deja Vu/I'll Never Love This Way Again) / Some Kind Of Friend / As Sure As I'm Standin' Here / Could It Be Magic/Mandy / I Write The Songs / One Voice / Let Freedom Ring / Looks Like We Made It
[ Manilow Archives Episode #34 (November 7) aired August 2012 ]