Big Bang To Hold 'Alive' Concert Tour In The Philippines

By JONATHAN HICAP, Manila Bulletin 

MANILA, Philippines - It's confirmed! Korean boy band Big Bang will hold their "Big Bang Alive Tour" concert in the Philippines this year.

A post on Big Bang's official Facebook account and on YG Entertainment's Twitter account proclaimed,  "BIG BANG ALIVE WORLD TOUR 2012 in MALAYSIA and PHILIPPINES confirmed!"

Big Bang (Photos by YG Entertainment and www.newsen.com)

The announcement of dates and venues of the tour in the two countries will follow.

Big Bang, composed of G-Dragon, Taeyang, TOP, Seungri and Daesung, kicked off their Alive Tour in Seoul on March 2 to 4 before sold out crowds at the Olympic Gymnastics Hall.

The Big Bang Alive Tour will be performing in 25 cities in 16 countries in Asia, North and South America and Europe.

In Japan, Big Bang will be holding their concerts starting on May 17 and 18 in Nagoya, followed by Yokohama on May 25 to 27, Osaka on May 31 to June 3, Saitama on June 16 to 17 and Fukuoka on June 23 and 24.

Big Bang Alive Tour is presented by Live Nation Entertainment with Laurieann Gibson as creative director.

Gibson spearheaded Lady Gaga’s “The Monster Ball Tour” and was the choreographer and director of the pop star's music videos such as "You and I" and "Poker Face."

The announcement of the Philippine leg of the Big Bang concert spread like wildfire on the Internet.

Bulletin Entertainment asked Filipino fans of their reaction to the announcement and all of them were excited that, finally, Big Bang will visit the Philippines for a concert.

Here are their reactions:

"I was so shocked when I heard about the news. It's like a dream come true. Big Bang is like one of the best K-pop bands so Philippines is just so lucky to be part of the Tour!" - Patricia Kyle Zamora, 18, Quezon City

"I AM SO EXCITED! I was spazzing at work when I learned about BB going here!" - Jen Guerrero

"I was so, so happy when I found out! [My friends and I] are all planning to save for the best tickets; the ones closest to the stage and the group," - Pia Aguirre, 18

"I have waited countless years for this announcement. I am prepared to party hard in a BigBang-kind of way. BIG BANG, fighting!" - Janeen Mambuay, 19, Quezon City

"I'm absolutely thrilled when the announcement was made," - Melissa Luna, 20, Batangas

"Sana sa Araneta Coliseum ganapin yung concert! Sana kung October man yung concert, sana pag sem-break para may chance makapunta lahat," - Editha, 17, Dagupan, Pangasinan

"Big Bang's concert in Manila is probably one of the most awaited concerts of my life. I can already feel the fun and excitement. Seeing them would be like a dream come true most especially to see TOP," - Josette Pagana, 18, Manila

"I really thank God that He granted one of my wishes and, of course, YG for bringing Big Bang here in the Philippines. I'll definitely watch the concert and surely I will be at the VIP section," - Gwen Romano, 15, Manila

"I am so excited to meet my fellow VIPs and I can't wait to see BIG BANG perform live! It's a dream come true!" - Aira Quitoriano, 16, Baguio City

"I'm very excited for their concert. I want to have this concert to be my gift on my birthday. So excited to meet GD, Top, Seungri , Daesung and Taeyang," - Regina Mangubat, 19, Valenzuela City

"I really want to see them performing in stage. I'm really excited," Mary Beatrix Busto, 17, Quezon City

 "I am really happy for all the PH V.I.Ps out there because I know they really waited for this moment. We (PH ELFs) are so blessed that we've watched Super Junior for 2 times already and now it's the time for PH V.I.Ps to experience spazzing, stalking, and screaming out their lungs for Big Bang. God bless us all fangirls and fanboys!" - Karen Louise Santos, 18

"HOORAY FOR PHILIPPINES! Grabe, I super duper can't wait na. I just hope na sana affordable po ang ticket & ganapin po yung concert during sem-break para di mag-clash sa school so that VIPs can witness their coolness and craziness!" - Adela Angelique Magpali, 19, Manila

"I am so happy and shocked when I saw the news. My happiness is beyond words when BIG BANG's official Facebook account released the list with PHILIPPINES and MALAYSIA on it. I am just so excited," - Marianne Gladys De Mata, 16, Laguna

"My sister and I were ecstatic when we saw the news on Big Bang's Facebook page! Because of this, we will start saving up so I we get to be as close as possible to our Big Bang boys (especially GD for me and TOP for my sister),"  - Aiza Constantino, 27, Pasig City

"I felt really happy when I found out that our country's included in their world tour! I will finally see G-Dragon, TOP, Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri! I am just too happy that finally they are coming," -  Alexandra Marie Saclao ,19, Malabon City

"As a long-time fan who has been waiting for this for so long, I feel extremely blessed and grateful. I feel happy for my fellow VIPs and I'm excited even though there's no certainty to my attending (upcoming thesis plus the ever-existent money dilemmas). I have to say though, that whatever card fate will deal me with regarding this concert, I still feel elated, not only for me but for all the other VIPs who hoped for this." - Karen Sandoval, 19, Marikina

"Honestly I think all VIP's right now from the Philippines are now freaking out because of this very awesome news. I've been waiting all my life since I became a VIP last 2003. I can't express how great I'm feeling right now. Big Bang is the best. In our family, I'm not the only VIP but also my younger brother and my three male cousins. - Renz Nika Santos, 19, Marikina City

"I wish for this concert to push through.  I'm glad the Philippines was included on the tour at least now I don't have to fly overseas to watch their concert," - Marge Tan, 36, Quezon City

"At first, I couldn't believe what I was reading on my screen. As I read the news about Big Bang's confirmed tour list a few more times, I couldn't help but squeal! Just thinking that they would visit Philippines and actually perform for us, their Filipino fans, makes me very happy. TOP and GD, we'll finally meet!" - Kim Gacita, 20, Manila

"Big Bang's concert is absolutely daebak! I've been waiting for this like forever. Then it finally came true. This is really insane and I really can't wait for the concert. They're the reason why I'm addicted to K-pop! I love Big Bang! VIP FIGHTING!" - Mara Angelica Mojas, 18, Caloocan

Link to my original article: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/359649/big-bang-to-hold-alive-concert-tour-in-phl


Update: YG Entertainment has announced the complete stops in Asia for the Big Bang Alive World Tour. 
After Japan, Big Bang will hold concerts in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia and Hong Kong. 
Go to https://www.facebook.com/BIGBANG/app_375421659159963 for updates about the tour.