Not all concerts are created equal. 

Some take pride in captivating concepts. These ideas range from exceptionally long performances (Bob Dylan’s 30-day concert in 1993) to extraordinary locations (The Beatles’ rooftop concert, Korn on a plane, Def Leppard in a volcano, Pink Floyd at Pompeii, Metallica in Antarctica, and Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Giza Pyramids). 

Some utilize multimedia elements like those we see in rock operas and theatrical shows. Think The Who’s “Tommy” in 1969, Pink Floyd’s “The Wall,” and Cirque du Soleil productions. 

No matter the concert idea, however, the core essence remains intact: music’s ability to inspire us to reach new heights and make the seemingly impossible a reality. 

In the music-loving land that is the Philippines, concerts are regarded as a cherished experience, drawing passionate fans from all walks of life. And in an effort to offer something unique to the audience, KDR Music House introduced the Wish Date series. 

Just last Sunday, the local-record-label-slash-concert-producer staged the series’ 16th edition with “Endless,” delivering a truly memorable night for anyone who saw it live at the Araneta Coliseum. After all, it’s not every day that one sees elements of film, theater, and live music — all rolled into one (yes, one) event.

“Wish Date: Endless” stayed true to the series’ allure, touting impressive soundscapes, an immersive atmosphere, and a diverse range of artists (actors and musical guests) who delivered an exceptional three-hour experience.

As with previous installments, the venue was filled with eager fans. As the lights dimmed, the audience was greeted by the cast on stage, accompanied by the Wish Band's overture of "Time For Us." The narrative of the short film unfolded through a series of interactions with other characters, driven by an intriguing plot revealed in a letter to Dr. Clark, the series’ narrator.

The show's brilliance lies in the seamless integration of story and music, revealing a meticulously crafted narrative through beloved OPM songs. Here’s a recap of the story and the musical performances. (Note that this next section contains some spoilers from the film)

The story

The show opens with a film depicting a nighttime road accident between a motorcycle and a car, leaving a lone surviving baby.

Years later, in an orphanage, a boy named Rudy (Aljon Mendoza) meets Lorna (Bianca De Vera), who visits with her mother. Before leaving for the U.S., Lorna tells Rudy they won’t be returning.

Time flies by. As teenagers, they unknowingly cross paths and fail to recognize each other. Rudy eventually finds himself taken in by Conchita (Rio Locsin), who adopts him as her grandson and sends him to college. 

At some point in the film, it’s revealed that Conchita owns a tech company. Proving his own worth, Rudy decides to join the company’s competitor, where he reunites with Lorna, the newly appointed CEO. Years pass and their relationship deepens until they officially become an item.

However, their relationship is met with several trials — the biggest of which is Raymart (Zach Castañeda), Lorna’s longtime associate and shareholder in the company. Their rivalry escalates as they both vie for Lorna's affection, with Raymart resorting to scheming moves that ultimately make Lorna feel betrayed by Rudy.

Lorna and Rudy break up. And Lorna ends up marrying Raymart. A happy ending is far from the horizon as the three characters remain intertwined, facing even more delicate situations.

One of the more poignant parts of the film is when Rudy and Lorna meet and share an almost final farewell. When she returns home, Lorna is confronted by a drunk and resentful Raymart, who vows to eliminate Rudy. In a shocking turn of fate, Raymart gets involved in a motorcycle accident, bringing the story full circle.

As the film nears its end, the narrator reveals that Raymart's father was the driver responsible for the initial accident and had taken the lone surviving baby — who turns out to be Rudy — to the orphanage. 

Ultimately, Rudy and Lorna reconcile and find their way back to the love that was always meant to be.

The music

In between the film and live acting, Wish Date: Endless featured musical performances of a rather diverse array of OPM acts.

With infectious youthful energy, Letters from June proved their versatility as they rendered both OPM hits and international anthems with equal fervor. Their talent shone through as they delivered well-executed covers, notably Moira Dela Torre’s “Patawad” and The Calling’s “Wherever You Will Go.” The latter resonated deeply with the audience, who lit up the venue with their enthusiastic sing-along. Just as compelling, they also performed an original track called “Alon,” which served as the short film’s official theme song.

Rob Deniel was another artist who graced the event.

The rise of this singer-songwriter is well-deserved, and he sets himself apart in today’s music scene with his smooth, vintage-inspired sound, blending modern sensibilities with retro influences. His original songs “Miss Miss” and “Rom Com” — which he performed that night — are undeniably catchy. He also left an impression with his thoughtful renditions of classics, such as APO Hiking Society’s “Panalangin” and Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.”

Meanwhile, Sitti, the Philippines' Queen of Bossa Nova, delivered a performance defined by elegance and sophistication. 

While she’s known for her signature bossa-nova sound, she isn’t afraid to step outside her comfort zone, as evidenced by her performances of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon,” Coldplay’s “Yellow,” Spice Girls’ “2 Become 1,” and a duet of Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” with Letters From June’s Renzo. Of course, her stint wouldn’t be complete without her iconic hit “Para Sa Akin.” 

Last Sunday’s show also featured two seasoned, legendary performers — both gifted with a voice that transcends generations; both serve as a living testament to the enduring power of OPM

For his stint, Marco Sison — a true master of delivering heartfelt ballads — endeared the crowd with his performances of “All Of My Life,” “Always,” “Make Believe,” “My Love Will See You Through,” and Melissa Manchester’s “Through the Eyes of Love.”

Martin Nievera, the Concert King himself, showed that his title is no mere hyperbole. Blessed with a wide vocal range and stage presence that only a few can match, he performed “The Promise,” “I’ll Be There (For You),” The Carpenters’ “You,” Cher and Peter Cetera’s “After All,” and Santa Esmeralda’s “You’re My Everything.”

A truly delicate art

One commendable component of Wish Date: Endless is the stage acting.

When it comes to live shows, stage acting is a truly delicate art — it's a single, live take rife with opportunities for potential mishaps. A live theatrical performance, particularly one staged at a big venue like the Big Dome, requires serious acting skill and is definitely no easy feat. 

This show, just like those before it, featured laudable actors who were able to smoothly blend scenes from the on-screen film with their live acting. 

And if one thought the story’s moral lessons — and the way they were delivered — were the perfect finishing touch, the Wish Date crowd was in for even more: they were also treated to performances from top-notch musical acts.

The musical numbers seamlessly switched back and forth with segments from either the show's film or live acting. The songs related to a scene, complementing, reflecting, and amplifying the narrative's overall feel and emotions.

The concert series, as a whole, has successfully evoked the nostalgic feel of classic radio dramas, staying true to its “Wish” namesake (which refers to the FM radio station). Each edition of Wish Date offers a unique flavor while retaining the series' core appeal. Its latest installment is certainly no exception.

Seeing it live allows for a greater appreciation of the meticulous details of the show — from the stunning stage design and lighting that perfectly complement the atmosphere to the diverse lineup of singers and actors that showcase the breadth of Filipino talent across generations.

But if you happened to miss it and you’re from Cebu or Davao, here’s good news: The concert film will soon be shown there.

Follow KDR Music House’s Facebook page for updates.

Words by Joram Flores

Photos by Kenneth Valladolid

Editing by Emmy Borromeo