With the unexpected number of people who went to see the free concert at the Mall of Asia grounds last Friday, the show’s organizer, Coca Cola, and the authorities were forced to cancel and reschedule the show for their safety, naturally leaving the crowd to their disappointment. It was reported that it exceeded the capacity of 15,000 attendees as the count was said to have reached 20,000.
However, it weren’t only concertgoers who were let down with how the show turned out to be. Even artists who were slated to perform in the concert were disheartened by the fact that they didn’t get to perform for their fans. For one, singer Quest, who had to deliver the unfortunate news onstage, revealed that he felt “drained” after receiving boos and hisses from the crowd.
“Getting cussed at and booed by thousands of people is bad energy. And it drains out whatever good energy you have,” wrote Quest in a tweet on the same night.
Drained.
— Quest (@officialQUEST) December 7, 2018
Sa lahat ng nagpunta sa MOA concert grounds... Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Kayo ang dahilan ko. Pasensya sa nangyari. Babawi kami pangako yan.
Getting cussed at and booed by thousands of people is bad energy. And it drains out whatever good energy you have. Didn't realize it until yesterday.
— Quest (@officialQUEST) December 8, 2018
Pahinga muna ako today. ✌🏼
Spoken word artist and singer Juan Miguel Severo, host Saab Magalona, IV of Spades’ Blaster Silonga and Zild Benitez, and Moira dela Torre also turned to Twitter to express their love for their fans and wish for their well-being.
I left the MoA concert grounds last night heartbroken for not being able to perform for the crowd and give them the show we prepared. If you were there then, I'm sorry. I hope you got home safe. Thank you for the love.
— Juan Miguel Severo (@TheRainBro) December 8, 2018
Wishing everybody gets home safely 💔 https://t.co/F5Yc3UFhHv
— Saab (@saabmagalona) December 7, 2018
Thank you for coming and i hope everyone is safe, take care and see you all you soon.
— Blaster Silonga (@Bsilonga) December 7, 2018
stay safe, protect yourselves, and go home. i'll see you on some other shows so pls be safe.
— zild (@zildbenitez) December 7, 2018
We love you guys so much!😢 Were so sad we didnt get to see you all today but know that we know & appreciate all of your efforts! Everyone's safety is @CocaColaPH's priority. They are working on a better, safer, more enjoyable concert for all of us. We'll see u guys next year!!♥️ pic.twitter.com/rqHHEFG7ga
— Moira Dela Torre (@moirarachelle4) December 7, 2018
Meanwhile, December Avenue’s frontman Zel Bautista directed his disappointment towards the unruly attendees. “Just because it's free doesnt mean na wala na din tayong disiplina [sic]. All efforts to control the crowd were done by [Coca Cola] especially [Quest] but of course it starts within ourselves! Sayang for most people who were there to enjoy and sa artists who were excited to perform,” mused the singer, who ended his statement by saying that the event should serve as a wake-up call to fans.
Wake up call din to. Feeling ko same people na nagsasabing "mahal naman ng ticket". Now you know why.
— Zel Bautista (@zelbautista) December 7, 2018
Yung usual concert goers ofcourse alam na nila to but may iba talaga na makukulit. Even on the recent barangay tour we had mas malala at marami talagang pasaway. Ayun lang, it's not very often na may FREE concert with that line up. 🤷🏻♂️
— Zel Bautista (@zelbautista) December 7, 2018
Just because it's free doesnt mean na wala na din tayong disiplina. All efforts to control the crowd were done by @CocaColaPH esp @officialQUEST but ofcourse it starts within ourselves!!! Sayang for most people who were there to enjoy and sa artists who were excited to perform.
— Zel Bautista (@zelbautista) December 7, 2018
As per Quest’s announcement, the rescheduled concert is set to take place next year.