Rihanna and Chris Brown’s concert in Manila could have caused a nightmare to some of the concert-goers last night if the two did not perform so well during their concert at the open fields of Fort Bonifacio, Global City in Taguig.

Though we tried to go to the concert as early as we can, the traffic was so bad, getting a parking slot was terrible and entering the venue was worse considering there were other 70,000 people trying to get in. But what’s even worst was many people, mostly those who got gold tickets (including us), were not allowed by the concert team to enter the venue. Actually, we missed almost half of Chris Brown’s show. We were so upset because we couldn’t get in and the show has already started. The concert marshals did not even give a damn to explain what’s the reason for not allowing us to get in until angry fans demanded explanation from them.

With that incident, we were told that part of the “Gold Section” was full so we can no longer get in and the only choice left for us who were still outside was to walk around and go to the other side of the venue. Imagine you paid for an expensive ticket and you queud up in a very long line just to see your favorite singing stars but it ended up you can’t enter and you are missing an important part of the show. Who won’t get upset? Among the concerts and events I attended, it was the first time I experienced something like this.

Thankfully, even if we missed a lot, Chris Brown’s power dance moves (and killer smile which apparently drive all the women in the audience crazy) as he sang his hits offset the long wait and anger in us. But, his ad lib and tired voice is obvious, even the parts which I think were lyp synched. It was more like listening to his album while watching him dance. Or, shall I say a dance show? But still, it’s Chris Brown–the one whom the girls have waited and almost died for.

Though others would say Chris Brown’s performance was better, many also believe that Rihanna had a spectacular performance. In fact, she exceeded my expectations. Even before the concert, many were saying that Rihanna isn’t as good as some other artists when it comes to performing and singing live and it was Chris Brown who rocks the concert stage but I believe it’s the other way around. In fact, Rihanna sang live most of the time (or even did not lyp synched at all if I am not mistaken). Though she can’t do killer dance moves unlike Chris or any other performers, at least she exerted an effort. And it’s given and kinda expected since not all of her songs are for dancing. And at least, her acting and performance while doing “Disturbia” on her opening act was good and convincing enough to partially set away the audience’s attention from Chris Brown into her. So, if this 19-year-old-guy named Chris Brown got women’s cheers, it was Rihanna (and her ooh-la-la outfit) that caught  men’s attention.

As expected, Chris Brown’s “Kiss Kiss“, “Run It“, “Superhuman“, “Say Goodbye“, “Forever“, and “With You“,  and Rihanna’s “Disturbia“, “SOS“, “Unfaithful“, “Don’t Stop the Music“, “Shut Up and Drive“, “Rehab“, “I Hate That I Love You“, and “Take A Bow” were the crowd’s favorite. Of course, the rumored couple’s duet of “Umbrella-slash-Cinderella“  is indeed a very remarkable performance and finale.

Though ticket prices were slashed off to half of the original price few weeks before the event,  the production including the backup performers, stage, sound system, and the fireworks offset the long-wait, expense, and the body aches brought by standing all throughout the event. (lucky those who were with Bea Alonzo, Shaina Magdayao, KC Concepcion and other stars who were present that night). Though the stage  and lightings were not as great as the past concerts held in Manila, the pyro and special effects set it apart from the other events.

Good thing that no rain poured that night and we did not see some -ella, -ellas around the place. No wonder if Rihanna and Chris Brown’s concert in Manila will be considered as the biggest concert for year 2008.

(Photo credits: Hannah of Flaircandy.com and Diego of  diegopineda.multiply.com)