I surely went all out with watching all the live acts last year, it almost became an addiction that when AJ Rafael announced his coming to Manila, I was convinced that I SHOULD see him without second thoughts. Just a disclaimer, sarcasm aside, I am NOT his biggest fan. I didn't know who he was til early last year when I randomly bumped into his Without You video in Youtube. I liked him, and his songs are pretty relatable and just easy to listen to. So I became just one of his million subscribers in YT.

I was having second thoughts in going because 1) I wasn't sure if I can get myself a ticket on time, and 2) I don't know where Music Museum is. It's as if the universe conspired when my sister bought our Mamma Mia tickets from TicketWorld, and she happily obliged to get me my AJ Rafael ticket as well, the night before January 18.

January 18 came - my classes started at 7am, and ended at 5pm with an hour break in between. It was definitely draining, my Wednesdays always are. But that just didn't matter cos as soon as my class was done I went all the way to Greenhills (read: with all my school stuff with me, and smelling like...uhmmm..let's say, formaline)

1 hour and a horrible traffic after, finally, I was at the Music Museum. There already was a line heading to the entrance, so I made my way there. While standing to line up, I kind of regretted going there, and I actually thought of going home already. I didn't expect that the crowd was going to be that many, plus they're mostly conyo teenagers. Hmm, well ok not that conyo but they're rich, foreign-language-speaking kids and I felt like I was the only jologs in there. And yes that was true, sadly.

I was in line for about another hour until they open the gates for entrance. AJ Rafael's band members went out to say hi to the people in line but I seriously have no idea who they were then so I just didn't care. I went there for AJ and no one else, that's what I was thinking.

So I went inside. By the way, FYI, I recently am enjoying going to music shows alone, and this is my 3rd on that series. It was awkward finding a nice balcony seat, trying to squeeze in myself in between couples and friends, but I think that's an advantage that I'm alone. So I finally found my spot, beside a group of girlfriends on my right, and a girl on my left who apparently went there alone as well (but talked to her phone the whole time, giving real time updates to whoever-the-heck, urgh).

Duo Krissy and Ericka started the show. I have no idea who they were but was convinced that they were actually good. I particularly liked the originals rather than the covers.

...and then AJ appeared, looking like a little boy in his geeky eyeglasses, vest and tie, being coy and appealing at the same time - that's where everything started for me. Everyone was chanting his name and sure it was too overwhelming I'm having chills all over. Everyone was so psyched, while AJ stood on the stage ready to play his piano. I can feel his being awed by the audience's response from up the balcony. I can clearly feel how he cannot believe all of those was happening right then and there. That moment was maybe too surreal for him, and for everyone in the audience as well. What happened next was epic - he started striking those keys, with his opening song, Heart of Worship.

Everyone just toned down and went silent as he started singing. The song needed that, and with AJ's voice, it was the perfect song to open the show. It's embarassing to admit that tears went rolling down my cheeks as he was saying, "...and it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus" cause I seriously felt that. Cheesy yes but I just can't believe how talented and good-hearted this guy is. After that song, I just sat there with my eyes locked on the stage, ready to enjoy the rest of the show.

I knew AJ's songs merely through Youtube, so the lyrics were just all too familiar. I sing along at some parts (mostly on the chorus), but on some, I just shut up and listen to him say the words.  He was beyond amazing that night. I particularly enjoyed his Disney medley which started with Go The Distance, then went to his Arielle-voice in Part of Your World. He was really crazily into it! It was more fun because those were the same Disney songs that I grew up to. It was funny, nostalgic, and awesome.

The best part of the show was during the encore where he asked the audience what song to play. Surprisingly, everyone chanted in unison, Showstopper, and so he did just that. And then the most epic part of the show happened. Most (if not all) of the girls (and even guys) from the front seats went on stage and crowded (and freaked and creeped) AJ and the other band members out!  It was crazy because no one expected the crowd to go all animalistic like that, that even the guys (bouncers-ish on the stage) had a hard time controlling everyone from jumping to the stage. AJ even stopped singing at some point (when about a hundred of girls were literally all over him already), looked at his mom from the audience, and said (with his mic on), "Mom, help!" but he went on singing until the girls were tamed. It was totally crazy. Everyone went all out with all their love for AJ.

That song ended and I told myself that this show was the perfect one to kick off my concert series this year. AJ Rafael is the most amazing keyboard player I've seen my whole life. This was one of those shows that really satisfied me, not bitin in any way, maybe even too much than what I've expected. I went out of the venue with a big smile and more stupefied by this talented Pinoy artist. He is serious a god in keyboard. Such an amazing amazing performer as well!