The Wish Date 4 concert last November 6, 2022 at The Theatre at Solaire delivered what it promised to be: a spectacular medley of OPM artists and a blend of film, radio, and live music. In between scenes of the short film “My Sweet Lady,” which starred Ritz Azul and Arnold Reyes and debuted exclusively throughout the concert, OPM artists performed their renditions from an extensive discography. Among the performers are December Avenue, Nyoy Volante, Mark Michael Garcia, Kimberly Baluzo, Plethora, Bradz, and Peniel.
Nyoy Volante, Mark Michael Garcia, and Peniel share with us their post-concert thoughts.
This is your first Wish Date concert experience. How was it? Was it any different from your past projects and performances?
Nyoy: The Wish Date experience was very unique. So many levels and forms of entertainment. I believe this is the first time I’ve experienced a concert that’s tied to a movie. It was definitely a delightful experience.
Mark: Kakaiba talaga siya compared to my other performances. Simple gigs and shows lang, but this one is way beyond my expectations. Sobrang unique ng show, para kang nanonood ng sine na may live music. Wish Date is one of a kind!
How was it to have an orchestra backing you up during some of your performances?
Nyoy: I’m fortunate enough to perform with an orchestra every once in a while, but it’s always a special experience when it happens. But with Wish date, the integration of the orchestra with the other art forms made it refreshingly different, making it an extra special event.
How was your experience sharing the stage with Kimberly Baluzo and Mark Michael Garcia?
Peniel: It was interesting because I’m actually, already, a bit used to working in a group or a chorus but the difference with this one is that my identity as a soloist still stands. Singing with two different vocalists with different vocal styles was interesting.
You got to explore and perform songs that are out of your genre and vocal comfort zone. How was the challenge? Were there any songs or performances that were most memorable to you?
Peniel: Well, like any challenge, it was difficult. The mental energy it took me to stay focused was immense and at the end of every performance, I felt a big weight lifted off my shoulders— which is always a nice feeling. However, the act of trying to stay focused affected me a lot in my set later on. I think it’s always best to focus on the performance itself than getting it right— the approach in keeping the emotions in check rather than the step-by-step part of performing.
Performing “I’ll Never Love Again” was particularly memorable for me because the was the first time I let go of a lot of inhibitions floating around in my head and just performed as I usually did— feeling every word than feeling the desperate need for me to get it done and move on.
How was the concert last Sunday different from your past Wish Date performances?
Peniel: The concert was different from my past Wish Date performances, in a way that it was more formative for me, and not necessarily in a “pretty” way. I made a lot of big mistakes that I feared would cost me a lot, mentally (because when I get things wrong I usually never let it down), but instead was a bit replaced by the hope of “next time”.
What I can do for now is do better for myself. I’m now equipped with the certain knowledge that can help me enhance my future performances— knowing the exact steps to take my songs to a better, more comfortable place for me to sing them and knowing what I can do to take care of myself better for a better quality of performance.