Westlife is back!

I have made a couple of post here about my admiration to the Irish boyband. You see, I've been a die hard Westlife fan since my 1st year in high school and it hasn't gone in me ever since. I was a broke fangirl who makes money from school allowance and couldn't afford to buy a single CD album of Westlife not even cassette tape. When I finally make my own money, I was able bring myself to Shane's first tour to Manila as a solo artist. Westlife broke up before I graduated from college so I had spend my pennies to Shane only. I got to meet the man more than once and attended his concert on VIP seat. I had to missed Shane last year because I just gave birth, my body and money were not ready. Later 2018, Westlife announced their reunion and asian tours. Of course Manila is included and I'm not missing this one. Although I'm not eyeing a seat closer to stage cos I have learned that even sitting in Gen Ad is also lot of fun just like what I had in Backstreet Boys. I had soooo much fun I only took one photo from that night. Unlike the last time Westlife had concert here, I was in 2nd row, now I wouldn't mind sitting from afar just as long as I could see the live. My boys :)

People missed Westlife so much, the ticket went sold out and alot demanded for a 2nd night. So they added a day before the 1st night.. July 29 and 30. Many ticket July30 ticket buyers weren't happy about that though.I'm going to July 30 night. I dont mind whichever comes first As long as I see Westlife.

TICKETS FOR JULY29 STILL AVAILABLE! BUY HERE.

Shane Filan Manila 2014

 

So last year I had a dream came to life. I just met my long time celebrity crush, Shane Filan, nbd. I got to touch and shook his precious hand, yeah lame.
 

Sept 2013 at The Podium for his promo album tour.

Haha! Well, I had another chance to meet him again when he visit Manila for he 2nd time as solo artist last June 2014 to promote his solo concert on October 1 at the World Trade Center Manila. I went to his mall tour at the SM Megamall and had my copy of his album signed by him. It was just like last year, he signed the album cover, hand shake and I went off. Disappointed. I was actually expecting more than before since the Hongkong fans, Shane last stop before he arrived in Manila, had some few minutes with him. At least a minute. They had a moment of exchanging some words, they even got a chance to have a selfie with him! So i thought wow maybe they will let us give chance to spend at least more than a minute with Shane during the autograph session. Sadly, a brief of shaking hands we're given due to number of fans waiting in queue. Same, same last year. Event staffs can be such a killer joy.

 

 

My concert ticket ^__^

 

Fast forward, I went to Shane's first ever solo concert at the World Trade Center in Pasay. It was raining haaaard while I'm on my way! I spent 250php for the taxi due to traffic. I thought I would never make it cos I was late. I arrived at the venue around 8:45 when the scheduled concert should start at 8:00pm. They probably saw almost half of the VIP seats we're unoccupied, they thought fans are late due to heavy rain so they moved the showtime to 9:00pm. I think another reason is the concert is aint sold out. Lack of promotion, I guess. But I knew it because I have been seeing the availability of seats before the concert in SM ticketnet and it was selling so slow. So when I arrived at the WTC, I was shaking due to cold. Darn I forgot to bring jacket. Then I saw two people selling Shane Filan tshirt outside and theyre from AddicTeev. I've been eyeing on their Shane Filan tshirt products cos of their unique style of printing, thankfully they went to sell and I bought one shirt at discounted price :) It was their last piece though and it's large but I wore it anyway. I like it. So I was wearing the shirt throughout the show.

My favorite shirt :)

 

 

Klarisse De Guzman of The Voice Philippines is Shane's opening act. She was Shane's bet during the The Voice Philippines when he was a guest at the final show last year. Later, they duet for Flying Without Wings and got kiss from Shane more than twice. Lucky lady. Another one lucky for that night is Rosel, a friend from fan club, when she got called by Shane on stage and sang Mandy for her. And got a selfie session! I was happy for her and jealous at the same time. haha! Why cant I just be as lucky as her? lol

 

It was a great night. Shane is a total performer, he  kept his connection with the fans throughout the show. His band are great, as well. Fans went nostalgic when he preformed hits from his former band, Westlife. My personal favorite is when he sang Let It Be from The Beatles. He also did Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines, imagine how the crowd went crazy when he shouts, "Do you wanna hug me?" Of course he performed his own hits like Everything To Me, Knee Deep in My Heart and About You. The last one is very good catchy song, I always love singing it out loud. He is such a good singer, I truly admire his angelic voice and he is such an underrated singer. Shane will be forever my favorite celebrity. I don't think anyone or anything will stop me from admiring him.

 

June 2014 at SM Megamall Atrium

Klarisse and Shane singng Flying Without Wings

Acoustic session. Here singing "Once".

His awesome band.



This is the best my phone camera can do :/

He kept his interaction with the audience.



Shane and his band at the end of the show

It's been a year

Woah. It feels like just yesterday when I went to Smart Araneta Coliseum to see my ever beloved Westlife in concert. I remember I was nervous minutes before the show started. Seeing the coliseum getting packed of people from the general admission section down to the ground. The stage with closed curtain, any minute now, Westlife will be behind that huge cloth. I'll be seeing Shane. Surely, it was a night to remember.

Up to this minute, I still dunno why I wasn't in the fangirl mode that time. I scream whenever I see them on tv but I too starstruck I guess... seeing them in flesh. Upclose. That's something else.

These are some of my average photoshop works

Westlife Shirt Designs

Shane Filan wallpaper

Birthday artwork for my friend

Banner request for a friend. Printed on tarp.

Birthday artwork for Mark

For Nicky

and for Shane :)

Mosaic

Dreamy Effects

Stonebust

Lala's Westlife Journey ;)

"So what's your westlife story?"

If you're a friend of mine, or a co-member of an existing Westlife fan club Philippines on a social network, or a chatmate in a forum for asian fans... you have probably heard how this Irish boyband Westlife captured my heart and started my journey along with millions girls worldwide.

But if you haven't, so here it goes: Let's start on the year 1999, where Philippine radio played Swear It Again more than 10 times a day. Where the "It Girls" in school gets kilig or drool over a photo on a post card or on a songhits of 5 foreign dudes that consists of 3 blondes and 2 brunnetes. Even some boys are playing the song with guitars. The time where you could literally hear the song everywhere because even the girl next to you on the store you're buying ghost fighter playing cards is singing the goddam song. Never got my interest though, I don't think I ever thought of looking at the faces of that getting popular band during those times.

"I'll never gonna say goodbye
Cos I'll never wanna see you cry
I swear to you my love would remain..."

I asked my ate, older sister, who was a Backstreet Boys fan that time, how Westlife looked like. I thought they were looking like a rock band cos they seemed to be the band I stumbled upon scanning tv channels. I asked if there's any of the member has a long hair, ala Guns N Roses, she answered yes, there's one...but it wasn't that long, she was referring to Bryan...it turned out to be that the band I thought Westlife was actually The Hansons.

Finished grade school, I entered high school and I still watch those afternoon anime cartoons. One day, a guy friend of mine told me out of nowhere that Shane of Westlife is dead.

(the following conversation has spoken in Tagalog language just to make me look sosyal or a socialite, I translated it to english language)

"Who?"
"Shane of Westlife, the lead singer."
"Who's Westlife?
"The band who sang Swear It Again and My Love."
"Dead already??"
"Unfortunately, yes, the lead singer. They were filming Angel's Wings music video when suddenly Shane collapsed..."
"Do you have a picture of them there? I wanna see who was it."
"None, you should go watch them on MTV. They're awesome."

Ridiculous story but this is exactly what my friend told me: Westlife were filming their next music video called Angel's Wings, there's this scene where the lads are walking just like a scene in My Love MV, when suddenly a guy named Shane collapsed, looked dead and bandmate named Nicky tried to recover him by pumping the chest. Kian called the ambulance then blah blah... absurdity, I don't wanna recall that whoever-made-up-must-be-crazy-shit story anymore.

Out of curiosity, I watched Vid-OK channel to know who's Westlife member untimely passed away. Then I saw the My Love MV which was currently in number 1 position on the chart. The video was the studio version one (where they were making fun while recording and shnicky was dancing? too cute!) Then my Ate pointed the Shane guy, who is sadly, "dead" that time.

"What a good looking guy. He looked like an ANGEL. Too bad he's dead."


I felt the same admiration I had when I first saw Britney Spears on her Sometimes video, still vivid, I told myself, She's the most prettiest girl I've ever seen in my whole life,(I think I had my girl crush on her) and similar to Shane the moment I properly laid my eyes on him and appreciate the faces of each of the band member, most handsome guy I've ever seen.

Then another video has come out, I Lay My Love On You, apparently Shane is dead was a plain rumor. There was indeed a "Shane is dead" rumor circulated around. Shane had a horse back riding minor accident before, he hurt his knee but obviously he didn't die. Angel's Wings was supposed to be the next to My Love single but due to fans' demand, What Makes A Man was it. Until this very minute, I have no idea how my friend got that silly story. I'm thankful though, it was the way where I started this fun journey. I started buying songhits that features them. I save 10pesos everyday from my allowance to buy posters and paste on my wall. Our room was covered of variety pictures of the pop stars cos I also had other boybands posters and one Britney spears. Purchased their albums, vcds, dvds and all. I gave away my playing cards collection and I replaced with Westlife pictures, articles cut out from magazine and newspapers, created scrap book, etc. All of a sudden, I matured a bit in terms of my likes and hobbies.

My fingers has learned  to automatically push the button channel for MTV and Vid-Ok whenever I hold tv's remote control. I followed the music mainstream. I found Net25's play, an interactive music show that has gone me to the next level of fangirling over Westlife. I started joining clans, texting all day (Mind you, there was no unlimited promo back then and economic/auto loads! Imagine how much we spend for cellphone load that time) but I never attend EB'so or meet ups... then I became a bonafire member of the official fan club. I got to chat, mingled with other Westlife fans personally. I was in awe and I was very young back then, I even lost my way to QCMMC where the gathering held. I saw the different kinds of people but has common denominator *west *coughs* life*. There was a teacher who travelled from Cavite, a girl same age as mine I guess, travelled from- get this, Bicol. A granny carrying a huge bag that contains her collection of Westlife stuffs, really surprised me with that one cos I thought she was just accompanying a girl, probably her apo or grandchild but actually, the girl is the one who accompanying her lola to attend the gathering! Also, Westlife was the reason why I taught  myself to use the internet. I remember the first time I opened their official site, an mp3 voice file played on the background, voice of westlife introducing themselves. I was fascinated, thought it was live. Those were the days when their official site was fun to browse, it has flash media and everything.

Brian McFadden left the band. I didn't worry about Westlife though when the news came out. There was the possibility of the end for the band cos Brian might be a big lost for them ,though it never cross mind. Then they had their 6th album, Rat Pack inspired album. Myx, the revamp Vid-OK, premiered Westlife new music, made it to the top 10 and fans same did to Smile video. Both videos filmed in Las Vegas with their 50's looks, good looking version of Rat Pack. And that was the period of time that I lie low from being a die hard fan of Westlife. I was disappointed, they've been doing revival ever since and now an album full of remakes? I didn't bother to have a copy of it. I stopped following Westlife for awhile.

My interest switched to wrestling, addicted, joined a clan, made new friends, went to a wrestling house show but my admiration to Westlife has never forgotten. February 2006, my first time to be in the Big Dome, and first time to watch a huge foreign event show. WWE Raw tour. I saw people that I thought was larger than life. It was an experience. Later that year, I saw a TV advert for Westlife Face To Face tour. Shocked. Gutted. My parents are impossible to give me another shot as the WWE tour ticket was a bit pricey and made a promise that it would be the last time that I would ask money for my guilty pleasure. I panicked. I cried. Where on earth am I going to get money to go and watch the concert! I tried to join Myx promo to win a ticket and a Face To Face CD. I flood them with my entries which was so wrong thing to do. I swear to God, everytime our landline phone rings, I'm dying to wish that it was from Myx and would say I won the effing contest. The Sept 4 came. Not a soul called me on the phone. I cried same time the night sky poured rain. I was crying like a little girl in the bathroom, I didn't want anyone to know that I'm crying over Westlife. I've been dreaming to meet them for years, It's my 2nd thing to do on my bucket list and the chance has come and I let it slip away.That was really f*cking hurt.

 Maybe if I didn't watch the wrestling show, my parents would give me a ticket and Sept29 would be my 2nd time in a Westlife concert. Maybe if  I continued following Westlife, I would have prepared for it so 'Face to Face' album won't be a reminder of my despair. Maybe if I supported Westlife all the effing way, I wasn't crying that night. Despite of everything, there were no regrets. I know time would come for me. I just know it.

How I got into Facebook? Westlife. There was a link on westlife.com of their fanpage and I followed it. I never knew facebook, the hell I know facebook, I was busy enjoying the "coolness" of friendster. I signed up and subscribed to Westlife fan page without any knowledge about the new social network . So Westlife's fanpage is the first ever I 'like' or 'become a fan' of on Facebook. Eventually, everybody went over to facebook. I went back as a westlife follower again, back on track, joined a forum, made another circle of Westlife friends, text clan and all that. A fan, my chatmate, asked me to relive the defunct WFCP but I thought we couldn't do it just the 2 of us. So I kinda laugh it off, let other adults do it, hun. Later, I found out that she had other fans to do with it and succesfully re-established the WFCP, now OWFCP (so she wasn't really joking when she asked me about it). I could be one of the admin if I wanted to, but I can't take the responsibilities, I can't make lotsa time and huge effort for a fanclub. Especially this time I'm completing my studies. I guess that what makes me differ to others, but, please, never question my admiration towards them. I would have stop a long time ago if I wasn't more than a Westlife fan.

Sept 29 2012. That's my tatay's birthday. Sweet. But that date was way more than special than the past Sept29s of my years. It was Westlife Manila concert date. A night to remember. A dream came true. I have my previous blog entry about this, so I'm skipping this special part.

November, we still have hang over from the night. I still watch my concert videos to relive the feeling. Friends on facebook posting status updates about Westlife. Not about the concert, but sad status updates.Westlife splits. SPLIT. The S word that every band fan would never want to hear from their idol. I went over to the official site to confirm and tada, a letter from them welcomed me. It was morning, great way to start the day. Then everyone seemed to be crying their hearts out on their status and blog posts, even text messages. Please don't get me wrong but I never cry over it, not a single tear. I tried, cos it was supposed to hurt and that's what every westlife fan is doing, I should do but...I'm.. not... I just couldn't cry. I can't fake it with crocodile tears or keep posting pretending crying status/blog posts  just to go along with the other but that would be a total bullshit. But it definitely upset Lala.

The last ever gig has come. After waiting for months which was like watching the every tick of the time bomb to explode on 23rd of June. The Philippines wasn't able to be part of the Farewell Tour and the screening of the Croke Park gig in cinema. Just our luck.So we waited for updates from the other side of this earth. As I told before, I never shed tears over Westlife since the Sept 6 night until I saw Shane's eyes filled with tears on a youtube video. That really broke me into pieces. I've known Shane as the one who cries easily in the band, I could see it when he have too much laugh, he weep some tears in his eyes. Of course, that one in Croke was different. It's the first time I saw him with those much of tears.I can't face a thought of my loved ones crying, and you know I love Westlife. I love Shane all these years.That sight was just...couldn't bear it.I don't think I'll ever could.

So that was it. The end of an era. Westlife has gone. No more November releases. No more tour every year. What sucks about life is you can't let people stay with you, even those you wanted to be with forever, people who's been a part of you, they come and go.But it's a part of  the changes. The  world changes and everything in it comes along with it. Changes that shape us to who we are right now. What matters is the memories and legacy they left for us,  that would last for eternity. There's more to life than Westlife, I always knew that but those four men has already made their own respective spots in my heart. Shane got the bigger one. It's amazing thing, I'll always have the special spot for him. Forever. I don't think I'll get over Westlife.

To Westlife, I have enjoyed my teen years until the last mile of your way. Others think I never had, that I barely have a life but they know nothing. I enjoy your music, you made me believe more in a stuff called love. You taught me to dream and to chased it. There's so many stuffs to tell and it's been said and heard so many times but thank you... Thank you for everything you've shared with us and I forever thank your parents for making you guys incredibly gorgeous.

So long, Westlife.

OMG. Autographed picture of Shane Filan with my name on it. Kill me now ^__^

Living on the other side of the world? Getting close to your idol is freakin impossible to happen? Computer and internet makes all your dreams come true. It's now easy to have photo beside your idol, thanks to Photoshop and now this: an autographed picture of your favorite artist, thanks to this site, you can now have a signed poster of Westlife and other artist you've been fantasizing for long now. It's their actual signature and handwriting can be personalized and print out, of course you have to pay for it and the watermarks you're seeing above will not be included. I'm actually psyched about this, seeing my name with Shane's signature... Aaahh. dream come true!

Pathetic fangirl I am.

ShNicky Wives

Still a vivid memory. The very first time I saw a photo of the girl named Gillian Walsh who reported as Shane Filan's fiancee back then, my eyes glued on the monitor. I couldn't take off my eyes to the photo where Shane's holding close blond girl's hand with a ring on it wearing a white top. It was the first time I felt jealous. I thought, "Eto na ba yung babaeng yun? Di naman kagandahan!" (She's the girl? She's not even pretty!). Crazy but I felt like I wanna grab her hair off the photo that I was staring at. I was really jealous like I have the effing right to be jealous.Well, I was a kid back then, you know things could get into kid's mind. But until now, I don't find Gillian Walsh and Georgina Ahern suits to Shane and Nicky's sexyness. To be honest? It's kinda hard to accept this painful truth that their respective wives couldn't get any closer to their gorgeousness level. Look at Gillian, tell me, she looks like a blonde horse. Don't deny that fact. And Georgina, she's same age as Nicky but she looks more matured than her husband, I don't know how Nicky fell into those big round eyes. Seriously, I know you're thinking the same things. 

But, still... Gillian is the only woman Shane fell inlove to. Madly.

and

Georgina Ahern is the girl who made Nicky's love fairytale came true.

They're the women that my favorite gorgeous chose and will choose no matter what fans or other people think about them. 

They're the women who fills our lads' hearts with love.

They're the women who makes them complete and brings joy and happiness to them.

And they're the most beautiful girls to Shane and Nicky's eyes.

And for all that, they always have my respect. I am nobody to say ugly things about them. If they're the only people who holds the keys to Shane and Nicky's  happiness, I would gladly support them all the way. After all, that's the only job of mine.

Georgina Ahern, Nicky's wife

Gillian's engagement ring designed by Shane. The proposal happened in Dubai November 2002.

Shane and Gillian  Filan

PS: I still get bit jealous seeing photos like these. Esp those twitpics.

Never see this coming: WESTLIFE SPLITS

They always promise fans that they'd be around for long time, but after a so many rumors about their band splitting up, they finally said it: "WE'RE SEPARATING."

This time though, there were no splitting rumors circulated before they announced the devastating news on their official site. It's a shock, actually. No one saw it coming. Couple of weeks ago, they were just expressing their excitement through their twitter about their upcoming 2nd greatest hits compilation album, the upcoming single Lighthouse and next year's tour. They even told before when they changed their record label that they would have 2-3 singles to be released on their next album. Then they dropped this bomb to us.

After 14 years, 26 top ten hits including 14 number one singles, 11 top 5 albums, 7 of which hit the top spot and have collectively sold over 44 million copies around the world, 10 sell out tours and countless memories that we will forever cherish, we today announce our plan to go our separate ways after a greatest hits collection this Christmas and a farewell tour next year. The decision is entirely amicable and after spending all of our adult life together so far, we want to have a well-earned break and look at new ventures. We see the greatest hits collection and the farewell tour as the perfect way to celebrate our incredible career along with our fans. We are really looking forward to getting out on the tour and seeing our fans one last time.

Over the years Westlife has become so much more to us than just a band. Westlife are a family. We would like to thank our fans who have been with us on this amazing journey and are part of our family too.

We never imagined when we started out in 1998 that 14 years later we would still be recording, touring and having hits together. It has been a dream come true for all of us.

Kian, Mark, Nicky and Shane

To be honest, I couldn't cry over this. I'm upset, but I'm not grieving. I see all my co-lifers crying status and text messages but today, I was busy doing my remaining school works. I say to my friends, "I'm sad, Westlife is splitting up." but no tears. Don't get me wrong, I love Westlife. I have been supporting them for over 11 years, I swear I knew all their songs, released, unreleased, b-sides even rare tracks of 'em. I just can't put a lot of emotions to this. I don't even know why. Maybe because they're not dead yet? maybe because we have innovative internet that we can still follow them individually (twitter, thank you) or maybe the fact that they'd be still around like Shane is planning to go solo (I'm excited about this) and Nicky doing TV. Or maybe they're not splitting up NOW. They just announced that next year will be their Farewell tour so next years will be their official disbanding. I dunno. But I'm still sad. I still can't see myself spending years forward without Westlife. They've been around half of my entire life, and I'm so used to it. Well, I hope Shane Filan would really pursue his solo career, same goes to others on whatever career they'd choose. So Westlife would just still be around :)

Well apparently, it's been under their sleeves the whole time they were making Greatest Hits 2 album. That's why they have this Greatest Hits box selling set where some fan pictures are included that I doubt every fans in the world could get one.

It Includes:

- 2CD/DVD Deluxe Version

- Exclusive pictures

- Exclusive poster

- Photobook illustrating Westlife's journey over the last 14 years along with fan pictures

I've had the time of my life: My Westlife Concert Experience

“If I could make the moment last forever, this will be the one I choose, you and me here together. Feels so right, feels so true every star led to you…”

After a decade of Westlife fangirl-ing, I finally able to watched them live! Flesh! With my naked Eyes! Right in front of me! God! I was so nervous, I feel like floating. I couldn’t scream. I don’t remember I ever shout “Shaaaaaaaaane! Nickkyyyyy! Maaaark!, Kiaaaaaaaaan!” out loud and I totally wasn’t like ‘Aaaaaaaaaaah” *fangirl scream*. But I’m not saying I had my mouth closed the whole time, ofcourse I sang along with them especially in I Will Reach You set.

So some rewind: I was in NAIA Terminal 1 airport along with other fans to welcome them. I thought if I can’t have a meet and greet pass, atleast I could see them closer, maybe closer than I could get to them in the concert night. Disappointingly, I only saw Mark inside the car. I saw his glowing smile through the windshield and I was like, “Shet, Si Mark.” That’s why I missed a glimpse of Nicky in the following car cos I was trying to get a video of Mark but since its 12mn and the car’s windows is effing tinted, I failed to get a video with their faces. I went home with extreme exhaustion and wished to get a closer look to them on the concert night.

Tonight is the night: I made friends because of Westlife. I get great bonding with people I share my interest with and never ran out of things to talk about. Some are friends online and some are what we call textfriends. So I finally got to meet them before the show. Actually they were too many to mention but I say they’re all fab. Cool people just what I thought J

My seat is just in the aisle corner. I chose it so I can do my hidden agenda: to run towards the front when westlife show up! And I did it! During the first song, I’m in the second row which ticket cost –ha-- 6 bucks! I got that idea to Westlife friend Nivee, thanks to her! :D (finally met her, she’s super nice!) I was about to go nearer, to the railings but huge guys called security stopped me so, okay, I stayed in the second row.

I was calmly enjoying the whole show. Whenever Shane gets near on the side where I positioned, I smile. A smile that from a thought of: “Oh, Shane, you’re look so amazingly handsome. I can’t believe I am seeing you in flesh right now.”

Star Magic Talent Young JV was the front act performer. It's a shame some people has to disrespect the artist just to see Westlife right away. C'mon people, let's have some maturity. Oh here, he's reporting for ASAP VIP Access segment.

Before the show starts, me and Chamy were lucky to meet Shane Filan -- standee

People @ the coliseum an hour before the concert.

This is how my seat far from the stage. Man, I gotta do something 'bout this.

The opening song. Wow, I'm in the second row now! Bwahahah!

Nicky tongue alert!

Shnicky moment in Manila

My gorgy on the screen

I have more photos of Shane (of course) but this is the best I've got. Thanks to a fan on the front whose hand has successfully blocked Shane's face in a couple shots I made. So pissed. I wanted to grab it and break it on the railings.

Mark Feehily looks bigger than I thought.

During the medley. I think this is one of my few best shots during that night.

Only few photos I made. Mostly blurred, but I took videos. The speeches, performance, moments.. Maybe i'll post screen shots some other time.

What more can I say? This is my first ever concert I attended and it is just totally amazing experience. Thank you, Westlife.