Journey's Manila concert cancelled

The Manila concert of the American band Journey fronted by Filipino singer Arnel Pineda has been cancelled.

The concert, which was initially scheduled on March 21 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, was canceled “due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances,” Journey said in a statement posted on the SM Tickets website.


“We apologize for any inconvenience brought about by this decision to the fans and we are looking forward to performing to our Filipino fans in the near future,” it added.

Those who have bought tickets to the concert may have them refunded.

In a separate statement, Pineda admitted that ticket sales to the concert have been "slow."

"Due to the extreme importance of the Easter holiday in my home country, as well as the deserved widespread media attention on the upcoming election in Manila, the ticket sales for Journey's upcoming show have understandably been somewhat slow," Pineda said.

"We have decided it is best for everyone to postpone the Manila concert until the next time Journey tours in Asia. We are very sorry that we won't be able to see our fans this year, but we will see you again soon. You know we all love to play in Manila!" he added.

Journey’s show in Manila is part of an Asian tour. The band first performed with Pineda in March 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Meanwhile, another concert featuring nine rock bands has been canceled. Those who bought tickets to “Smash Project,” which has been scheduled at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on March 8, can also have their tickets refunded at SM Tickets.

The concert includes American punk rock band All Time Low, Canadian pop rock band Sum 41, American metalcore bands Miss May I and Of Mice and Men, French pop punk band Chunk! No Captain Chunk! and We Start Partys, among others.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Korean boy bands' arrival causes mayhem at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - Two Korean boy bands arrived in Manila on Friday, getting a rowdy welcome from hundreds of Filipino fans.

Boy bands Infinite and UKiss on Friday arrived on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 467 from Seoul. All-female group Tahiti arrived in Manila on Thursday.

The Korean pop groups are scheduled to perform at a concert on Saturday night.

Airport authorities were surprised when hundreds of teenagers swarmed the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 arrival area. Additional airport security had to be deployed to control the crowd.

Paul Fudotan, an airport officer, chided the concert organizer for failing to coordinate with airport authorities regarding the arrival of the Korean groups.

Infinite and UKiss members were escorted out of the airport through the stairs towards the departure area. But fans still rushed to the departure area to follow their favorite Korean stars.

However, no injuries or casualties were reported despite the mayhem.

More fans are expected to flock to NAIA on Saturday to welcome the popular Korean girl group Girls Generation and the boy band EXO. They are expected to arrive on Saturday morning via a PAL flight from Korea.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Jessica Sanchez, ‘Idol’ Top 10 to perform at Smart Araneta on Sept. 21

Filipino fans of Jessica Sanchez need only wait three more months to see her perform live in her mother’s native country.

The “American Idol” runner-up, who will perform the US National Anthem at the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley fight in Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sunday, Manila time), will come to Manila in September as part of the “American Idol” tour.

Jessica will be joined by “Idol” winner Philip Phillips and the rest of the Season 11 Top 10 in the show slated for September 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

This was confirmed to Philippine Star columnist Ricky Lo by Renen De Guia of Ovation Productions, who also brought the “Idol” tour to Manila last year.

The “Idol” tour kicked off on Wednesday in Detroit and will visit a total of 45 North American cities, with the last stop in Milwaukee on September 11.

source: interaksyon.com