TWICE makes Pinoy fans twice as loved at return concert

From promise to reality. TWICE kept their word to their fans, Filo ONCEs, to return to the country with the two-day concert at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Members Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, and Tzuyu graced the world’s largest indoor arena for the last stop of their fifth Ready To Be world tour, reuniting with fans once again after four years since their first concert Twicelights in Manila.

While Chaeyoung was previously announced to sit out from the Asian leg due to health issues, her presence was still felt as fans shouted her name whenever her face came on screen and sang as loud as they could during her parts in the songs.

Pinoy Onces held lollipop-shaped lightsticks called Candybong and were clad in their best attire, with some wearing matching clothes with their biases or in eye-catching costumes in hopes of getting members’ attention.

As the indoor arena started to become full house, Onces initiated a wave of pink and apricot using their candybongs while shouting the names of whichever TWICE member’s face appeared on the big screen.

Then, at exactly 7 p.m., screams reverberated inside the arena as the screen revealed eight silhouettes before unveiling the members in their royal blue stage outfits.

The nine-member girl group created an electrifying atmosphere as they opened the show with the ARMNHMR remix of their recent comeback Set Me Free, followed by fiery performances of I Can’t Stop Me, and Go Hard from their second studio album Eyes Wide Open.

Anticipation fueled Onces’ energy as the lights went out for a moment before revealing moving triangular platforms where the members performed their 2020 lead single More and More.

In between songs, the members briefly introduced themselves to the Bulacan crowd with two members, Momo and Dahyun, having their try at Tagalog words.

“Mahal kita!” Momo concluded her introduction.

Dahyun, on the other hand, flexed her “fluency” in Tagalog by greeting Onces: “Magandang gabi! Once, kamusta kayo? Namiss ko kayo!”

Day 2 Onces were extra thrilled after the rapper-member complimented their “crazy” energy by saying, “Grabe” and “Wow! Baliw!”

Jihyo, Nayeon, and Jeongyeon had a quick chat with their fans, also praising their high energy, which prompted the members to request a little sing-along of the crowd favorite, What Is Love?

Then the time came for the group members to showcase their individual charms through solo performances.

Dahyun, who wore a flowy, green gown, played and sang Colbie Colliat’s Try with a white grand piano. She was followed by the youngest member Tzuyu’s elegant solo stage performing Charlie Puth’s Done For Me while wearing an all-white ensemble. Jeongyeon performed a funky stage with Justin Timberlake’s Can’t Stop The Feeling, reeling in Onces to sing along and to “just dance, dance, dance.”

The group’s Japanese members pulled off alluring and explosive displays of talent and charisma on their stages with the ever-so-bubbly Sana showing off her other side with a sultry choreography of Dua Lipa’s New Rules, Momo with her breathtaking pole-dancing performance to Beyonce’s Move, and Mina’s soft and airy vocals combined with dynamic moves, making Ariana Grande’s 7 Rings a perfect song for the ballerina member.

Jihyo was in for a kill with her charismatic performance of her latest solo debut track, Killin Me Good, which had Onces adding the leader to their list of biases. Nayeon concluded the segment with a radiating stage of her catchy solo single Pop!

Day 1, on the other hand, saw some technical difficulties during certain parts of Queen of Hearts and Feel Special, where Jihyo missed out on her solo part during the latter’s pre-chorus. The group’s next song, Cry For Me, made up for the moment when the leader held a yellow microphone to replace her broken lapel. The main vocalist’s fiercer expressions as she effortlessly belted her notes elicited goosebumps from fans.

TWICE proved their mics were open when the members initiated to repeat the two songs during their encore where Jihyo also redid her highlight part.

Fans were certainly well-fed with fanservice from the members, with Jihyo and Nayeon indulging requests of the “Shot Puno” challenge before performing Alcohol-Free.

Meanwhile, a fortunate fan who made the effort to wear a vibrant green neon light suit in the upper box section had a special moment when TWICE couldn’t help but express their amusement at the outfit.

Moreover, love was definitely in the air with TWICE around as the group extended their congratulations to a recently engaged couple in the audience while playfully encouraging them to share a kiss when they appeared on camera.

The group took a trip down memory lane as they sang their old songs that surely struck a chord with the veteran fans, including their iconic songs TT, Yes or Yes, Fancy, Likey, and Cheer Up.

Meanwhile, the highly-anticipated spinning roulette segment decided which songs they would perform before parting with fans. One landed on their Japanese single BDZ that had a barrage of “let’s go, let’s go!” chants from Onces who seemed to have limitless energy even as the show neared its end.

They poured their hearts into every lyric, every beat, and every movement creating a symphony of jubilant cheers, frenzied dances, and heartfelt sing-alongs with their beloved K-pop group.

And when the concert reached its finale, everyone was just left breathless and beaming.

TWICE had once again proved that farewells need not always be somber as they pledged to return to the Philippines in the future. With unwavering enthusiasm, Nayeon, Jihyo, and Dahyun bade their farewells with the words, “Babalik kami!”

Ready To Be in Bulacan was presented by JYP Entertainment and promoted by Live Nation Philippines.