The Switchfoot Hello Hurricane Tour (Manila Stop)

On March 1, 2011 Odyssey.net posted their promo in  FB for a chance to win 2 tickets for the Switchfoot Hello Hurricane concert on April 30. The contest rules were simple. Just answer this question: Why should you have tickets to Switchfoot’s The Hello Hurricane concert tour? Post the answer on your FB wall then tag Odyssey.net, Switchfoot Manila, and a friend. Then post a comment on the promo poster to let the promoters know where to find your entry.

As you all know, I joined. My entry is found

 here.

I had a strong feeling that I would win those tickets. Actually, would you believe that I did not plan to go to the concert at all? This is due to variety of reasons. Among them is that I have to use the money for something else. Yup, I have already decided not to go to the once in a blue moon concert in the Philippines of one of my top 2 fave Christian bands (the other being Jars of Clay, of course). But there was still a slim chance that I will not see the concert. (And I even wrote it on paper that) I will not watch the Switchfoot concert  unless any one of these things happen:  1) that I’ll get a free ticket (I was thinking one of the concert staff, who’s my friend, would give me one); and  2) A specific person invited me (even if it was not for free, if this person invited me, I would go). Then later on I added another condition which is if I get  a meet and greet pass (I don’t know from where), I would go.

Then a day before the concert, Odyssey announced the winners via facebook. My name was on top of the list. So that’s it. I’m going to the Switchfoot concert!!!

But wait there’s more. When I emailed the organizers on how to claim my tickets, to my disbelief, I also won one meet and greet pass as a bonus. Unbelievable, right?

The next day, I already had plans to spend my allowable absence to take a half-day leave in my summer masters class. But at around 11 am, our prof asked, “Class, are you hungry? Do you want to have a lunch break already or we just continue and you’ll be dismissed past 12?” Of course, I’m the first to say  “Sir, let’s proceed with our discussion.” My classmates already knew my plans for that day, so they did not vote against me. So there, we were dismissed at around 12:30 pm. 

Fast forward…I was at the venue at  4:30pm. While waiting for the meet and greet, I met my former Switchfoot Streetteammates (the concert staff from their last trip in Manila, which I was a part of). We greeted, kissed, hugged, and took photos of one another and with one another. Oh, I also got interviewed by CBN Asia (700Club). 

At th M&G. Drew was the first to see me and offered a hand shake. M&G was fast. I was able to have my some items signed (including the hello Hurricane album label, then gave them a copy of Southfoots (Southpark Switchfoot). They seem to recognize me still, esp Drew. I also did not bother to have my pic taken with them individually. I already had lots of them from their last visit. I was already content that I met them again. I let the other fans have their chance for photo op.

And then it’s show time. Here is the setlist:

01 The Sound

02 Stars

03 Bullet Soul

04 Gone

05 Your Love Is A Song

06 Free

07 Always

08 Awakening

09 Meant To Live

10 Mess Of Me

11 Learning To Breathe

12 This Is Home

13 We Are One Tonight

encore:

14 Only Hope

15 Hello Hurricane

16 Dare You To Move

After the show… I went to 2 after parties. First with the former Streetteam. We reminisced the good ol Switchfoot days (2007). And the Hillsong of course (Yes we also brought Hillsong United to Manila in 2008). We missed the whole streetteam. Updates updates. Picture Picture. Then off I went  to the other party. This time with the WhoWeAreInstead, my Jars Of Clay sis and bros. We were together till 4am. Then I went straight to summer class again the next morning (Sunday) before going to Church.

I wonder when Switchfoot is coming back to Manila!

But I have a strong feeling, Jars of Clay is coming next year!