PPOP, OPM ICONS ROCKED ‘SUMMER

Summer Blast 2023 showcased the best of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and Pinoy pop (P-pop) at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan last May 13. Hosts Ai Dela Cruz, Alexa Miro, and Jiro Custodio introduced OPM artists left and right, a mixture of established and upcoming music acts. Pre-show, Anthony Ocampo and Tonipet Gaba entertained the crowd with their antics.

OPM icons Gloc-9, Rocksteddy, Silent Sanctuary, Soapdish, and Sponge Cola performed their chart toppers. But not without Bandang Lapis, Dilaw, Jumanji, Lunar Lights, Noah Alejandre, Sunkissed Lola, and Rise High Band stealing the limelight with their catchy hits and fun antics. This was the biggest Summer Blast so far with an estimated 120,000 attendees inside the Philippine Arena Complex. It was likened to the Coachella music festival in California in terms of the number of attendees.

Merlion Events Production, Inc.’s Calista also performed at the event and were the only P-pop girl group in the lineup. Calista—an all-female group composed of Anne, Dain, Denise, Elle, and Olive—took the stage with their hit singles “Don’t Have Time” and “Ugnayan.” On Instagram, the girl group shared, “Grateful for always having opportunities like this!”

The audience immediately took to social media to express their admiration for the P-pop groups. Nia Laude Dumlao on Facebook said, “Yieeeee masyadong GINAGALINGAN ng CALISTAAAAA oh (Wow, Calista executed their performance so, so well)!!!” Summer Blast also announced the latest seasons of several Net25 TV shows, like “Counterpoint with Secretary Salvador Panelo,” “Goodwill,” and “Quizon CT,” alongside their cast.

The event was not just a concert. There were also several attractions inside the Philippine Arena Complex, like “Airsoft Grounds,” “Butter􏰀y Garden,” “House of Mirrors,” “Museum of Death,” and “The Garden.” Concertgoers were also treated to amusement park rides, a bazaar, a food park, a trade and car show, game booths, in􏰀atables, and water attractions.

Summer Blast was a joint production between Net25 and the Maligaya Development Corporation, which has gathered world-class Filipino artists nationwide since 2015.Parts one and two of the concert are already available on Net25’s official YouTube channel.