A Night with Jed

It was 11:43 in the evening and I was outside Grand Regal Hotel waiting for a taxi with my friends going home. Why were we there? We watched Jed Madela's concert. It was a mini-concert organized by PAGCOR monthly and September is for Jed. The concert was in Casino's Pantawan Hall. That was the first time I entered the Casino, they too I guess. I came with my officemate who sponsored seven of us on that concert (thanks for the dinner too! :D )

We arrived nearly 30mins before the starting time which was 9:00. As usual, there was front act to entertain the audience while the main show hasn’t started yet. Fifteen minutes later and our other friends came. Few minutes more and the lights were dimmed. Jed Madela came out from the back portion of the hall singing Hercules' OST "I Can Go The Distance" originally sung by Michael Bolton as the opening salvo. Many screamed with excitement as his voice seemed to came out from the deepest Marianas Trench. He was awesome. It was followed by songs in his albums which were all revivals. Photo and video taking were not allowed (as advised when we entered Casino; stickers were placed on cellphone lenses and digital cameras were surrendered on the counter) but that time people could not stop but remove the sticker and enthusiastically took photos and videos while on their seats. There was none the Casino staffs did to stop them so I did too hehe. Unfortunately, my phone could not get a good capture because it was dark and we were far so I just recorded his singing.

Evergreen was sung. The melody and the voice filled with so much emotion. I sank in the song. My heart stopped a moment and I found myself teary-eyed. Why was I feeling this way? What was I thinking? I wanted to pretend that the reason was not the one I was trying to hide and escape but it was. My heart started to feel fear and pain again. There were flashes of the past. I tried to recover... then I was back to where I was, sitting in the concert and listening to the music. Many songs followed, still from his albums. We were still filled with amazement of his voice.

For the First Time was sung. And although the song was for sweethearts, I do not know why my heart wept. Is it because I could not fit in the song or is it because if only we got the courage to express what we feel, we could have been in the song. But this is no drama. I woke up and listened to the songs again.

He played two medleys, one was from his favorite and iconic singers Martin Nievera, Lani Misalucha, Gary Valenciano, Sharon Cuneta, and Regine Velasquez (did I miss something?) and that of his dad’s favorite collections: Great Pretender, Unchained Melody, One Way Ticket, etc, ended by Voltes V’s OST which very much pleased the audience. His popular revival song entitled The Past was also sung and everybody did not cease applauding.

The audience were given time to request and he sang a few lines. The concert ended with the song Climb Every Mountain.

We seated until the hall fills a little empty and off we went to the stage with some other fans of Jed and took photo with him. I seem to master taking photos myself. Take a peek. ;)

The ticket we bought included a free play on the Casino’s slot machines. Five of us, no six, and I was the only rose among the thorns, played while my friend went home early with her husband. I do not understand why some got addicted playing the slot machines while I and the rest of the gang find it boring and nonsense. Well we all have differences. When we all have no tokens left in our hands, I was relieved. Finally, I would be able to go home. At the end of the game I then realized why. The thrill and excitement of hearing and seeing many tokens dropping off the machines answered it. Yet, gambling is not my life, afraid to bet with no assurances.

It was 11:43 in the evening… already…