Switchfoot Live in Manila Philippines
Switchfoot played their first show in Manila last Monday night and we had the opportunity through WMC-AP to be a major part in the events. Here is a quick run down of the highlights.
- Jordan Escusa from WMC-AP was the bands official host and guide while in Manila.
- Our Nazarene Work & Witness bus acted as Switchfoot’s tour bus!
- We showed the band some of the Manila sites including taking them on a jeepney ride!
- Jordan and I sat in on the bands devotion before the concert preparations.
- We got to conduct an interview of the band for Jordan’s 2 radio programs.
- I was able to help the A/V crew in their preparations for the concert.
- Just prior to the show everyone else was busy so I had to take the band to dinner at their hotel ;-). The Diamond Plaza offers a SERIOUSLY awesome buffet.
- During the show I got to use my all access stage pass to really put my new Canon 30D to the test with some concert photos. It was a blast as you can see from all these shots!
- Jordan challenged the guys to eat balut (fetal duck egg) on stage in front of everyone! They were great sports and rose to the challenge.
- At one point when I was front and center taking pictures, Jon Foreman, the bands lead singer, locked eyes with me and ran up motioning for my camera. I handed it over and he snapped these already famous shots of the Manila crowd.
- After the show Jordan hung out in the hotel room with the band as they got a little rest before their early morning flight back to the US.
All-in-all it was a great priveledge and a whole lot of fun to serve God and Switchfoot last Monday in such a cool way! I can attest that the guys are truly in a unique place as a band. They have respect and success in both the Christian and secular music industry with videos on MTV and songs on major motion picture soundtracks and yet they have not compromised at all in their musical content or their character as Christians in the music industry. God has given them a unique opportunity to be a voice in the modern music industry and they are up to the challenge.
I can’t help but laugh at how cool God make this life of service in Him though.
Great job! I just wanted to say I\’m proud of you guys! You definitely represented that night how WMC-AP can go beyond in almost anything, as photographers, videographers, as hosts, even as tour guides, hehe - like who else would have the guts and dare these foreigners to ride a jeepney and eat balut, only the crazy team of WMC. It was my first time to witness WMC in a big event - seeing wmc videos before the concert, seeing you as part of the team behind the concert, seeing you on stage, what an opportunity given to you guys - and you proved what you can deliver best - great videos, amazing photos, very solid, working hand in hand, taking each opportunity possible to be a blessing that day, great great great! Job well done WMC-AP team! More projects to come!
September 15th, 2007 at 4:26 pmUFC. Thanks so much for the kind words. Doing great work hardly feels like work at all. That is how great God is in giving us passion for what we do when we do it for Him. “Use us more Lord!”
September 15th, 2007 at 6:16 pmHey Daniel! I realized I never got your name after you bought the first shirt at the merch table. Anyway, I’m Tina, and I’m the girl in charge of the merchandise! Truly, last Monday was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had, and the guys are truly exceptional. Can’t wait to have them back here.
And yeah, I agree. It’s funny how God makes service to Him so enjoyable. Never in my life did I ever even think of meeting my favorite bands, and now it’s coming true! Even if I’ve been stressed in more ways than one with this, it’s okay because I know it’s all for God’s glory.
Here’s to the next concert!
God bless!
September 16th, 2007 at 7:33 pmTina, thanks for the note. I feel like I know you from all the blog buzz going on in wake of the concert. I have seen your link a couple of places. Nice on being the first post after the show!
September 16th, 2007 at 7:58 pmhi mr daniel. i wasn’t able to go to the concert due to work and it suck! grrr!!
you did a great job as a host. i bet they’d never forget their experience here. even if it’s just for roughly 2days.
can i borrow your pictures? gonna post it lang po on my blog. i thought kasi its jordans. don’t worry, cdue credits will be given. thanks.
sana may encore concert next year. pwede??
September 19th, 2007 at 6:26 pm