MANILA, Philippines — American singing star Janet Jackson’s Feb. 4 concert at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Plenary Hall was a resounding success inasmuch as thousands of Filipinos—including a number of local celebrities—braved the traffic, the slight drizzle and, more so, the steep ticket charge just to be able to watch the show.
Jackson's triumph was a seeming rebuff to a suggestion that singer Kuh Ledesma made only a few weeks ago, calling for the “regulation” of foreign concerts around these parts, insisting that such shows allow for iniquitous competition detrimental to local artists.
Though Ledesma has since rescinded on the petition—this, after a number of people including a few local musicians voiced their disagreement—she said she still hopes lawmakers would seriously look into the matter and soon.
An idea she offered was that of prohibiting foreign acts from staging concerts during the Valentine’s season, similar to the banning of foreign movies during the Christmas holidays for the annual Metro Manila Film Festival.
Apparently not with Ledesma on this is singer Karylle, actress Angelica Panganiban, actor Marvin Agustin, fashion model Bubbles Paraiso, actress-TV host Iza Calzado, designer Mich Dulce, journalists Jessica Soho and Rhea Santos, designer-socialite Tessa Prieto-Valdez, husband and wife TV hosts Paolo Abrera and Suzi Entrata, Lander Vera Perez and Regine Tolentino, Jinkee Pacquiao and Mr. Fu—who were among those seen enjoying the Jackson show.
Most of those in attendance shelled big bucks to watch the performance, the ticket to which were priced from as low as P3,100 to as high as P15,500.
In a short interview with GMA news after the concert, Calzado claimed that the ticket cost was well worth it.
“Sulit na sulit, she was fantastic,” said she of the deceased pop star Michael Jackson’s younger sister’s act.
The concert form part of Jackson’s “Number Ones: Up Close and Personal World Tour,” which the singer said is the biggest yet in her career.
Some of the songs she sang at the show were the hits, "Doesn't Really Matter," "Black Cat," "Rhythm Nation," "All For You," "Let's Wait a While," "Again," and "Go Deep" which she dedicates to the Philippines.
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