The country’s leading insurance company, AIA Philippines, successfully mounted a legendary event last May 16 at Mall of Asia Arena (MOA Arena) titled “Roar As One.”

AIA Group Limited, most known as AIA, is a Hong Kong-based multinational insurance and finance corporation. It is the largest publicly listed life insurance group in Asia-Pacific. In the Philippines, the Taguig-based company with a revenue of 20.88 billion pesos in 2019.is best known to be affiliated with Medicard Philippines, BPI AIA Life, PhilAm Life, and others.

Their MOA Arena party is their way of saying thank you to everyone who supported their success from day one. Upon entering, AIA members, and employees were given loot bags containing xylobands. Also, it ain’t a party without the munchies. So, they provided some food and drinks for everyone who attended the event.

Legends were summoned to one venue to bring in a night of art, music, and hear AIA holler their loudest ROAR. The concert featured world-class talents from renowned artists such as El Gamma Penumbra, Parokya Ni Edgar, Zack Tabudlo, December Avenue, Gary Valenciano, The Diegos, and Ely Buendia.

The stage is quite noticeable upon entering MOA Arena since it had a prominent triangular LED niched mostly for the brand AIA.

While lighting and stage treatment can go along with international concerts, it also proved that it is a unique bash. The attendees were also included in the production since they wore xylobands that simultaneously blinks depending on the songs being played.

The event started with America’s Got Talent’s first-season heroes from Tanaun, Batangas— El Gamma Penumbra. An exquisite display of affection was expressed via shadow play. The performance lit the darkness in the place, slowly igniting the excited crowd on things that were in store for them.

Pasay City’s “big eye” widely opened brightly with December Avenue. The mellow dramatic tunes of the band with the most streamed album of all time jumpstarted a sea of people. They did play radio favorites like “Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-ibig,” “Huling Sandali” and “Kung ‘Di Rin Lang Ikaw.”

Zack Tabudlo, on the other hand, smoothly brings in the blues with sexy guitar licks and funky beats. Of course, the girls went gaga especially when he mentions that he’s on the lookout for someone to be with. Frets were on fire, and strings got bent with hot tracks namely “Binibini,” “Asan Ka Na Ba,” “Habang Buhay,” and “Yakap.”

It’s no surprise how a band like Parokya Ni Edgar can automatically make thousands of people stand upon hitting the stage. Chito Miranda then entered and asked people in the patron to move closer, for it to be more intimate. The band had a long set jamming to the songs “Buloy,” “Inuman Na,” “Para Sa’yo,” “Harana,” and “Your Song.”

Fans near the stage also had the opportunity to have selfies with the PNE’s frontman, quipping “Picture lang, may trauma na ako sa video.”Chito also invited two lucky fans to sing on stage. They also proxied Francis M. and Gloc-9 for a night rapping the song “Bagsakan.”

When the toms and the snare are placed in front, there will definitely be a “Hataw” coming right up. Gary Velenciano pumps up the crowd that wears red. The arena instantly turned into a dance as he notably sang hits such as “Di Bale Na Lang Kaya,” “Sa Yaweh Ang Sayaw,” “Reaching out,” “Eto na naman,” and “Take Me Out of The Dark.”

According to Mr. Pure Energy, Gary V., medical assurance is quintessential. For someone who gets ill—and gets a confinement visit to the hospital once in a while—he mentioned that something like what AIA offers is needed. After the intimate talk, he invited Chito Miranda onto the stage to play their collab song with AIA—“It’s Real Love.”

Then comes the caveat. As the finale of the show, Ely Buendia and his band started their set with the song “Alapaap.” People in the venue witnessed the legend on stage singing the most famous OPM track of all time—Ligaya. As the show ends, Ely did close it down with the Eraserheads’ anthem “Ang Huling El Bimbo.”

“Roar As One” is made possible by AIA Philippines, and its subsidiaries.

Words by Aram Lascano
Photos by AIA Philippines
Special Thanks AIA Philippines