People Power 40 Kick-Off Concert: Raw, Real, and for Everyone

Gritty, grounded, and pulsating with energy

These words aptly describe the recent People Power 40 Kick-Off Concert, which successfully bridged generations while remaining firmly connected to the country’s socio-political landscape.

 

With its innovative, inclusive, and in-your-face approach, pundits say the concert offered a fresh and memorable way to launch the EDSA People Power I commemoration. They also congratulated the organizers — Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG), Kaya Natin!, Senator Bam Aquino, and Mayor Joy Belmonte — for mounting the successful event.  

The concert featured a mix of performances by singers, rock bands, rappers, stand-up comedians, a dance group, uniting audiences across generations and sending a strong message against corruption while underscoring the country’s sovereignty. 

After a somber opening by acoustic icon Ice Seguerra with his moving rendition of “Bayan Ko,” against the dramatic light show illuminating the Quezon Memorial Circle pylon, the concert burst into high-energy performances, keeping the 20,000-plus crowd on their feet and evoking memories of the 2022 presidential campaign of former Vice President and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo.

Bringing back memories of the glory days of their father, the late “King of Rap” Francis Magalona, Elmo and Arkin Magalona performed some of his most iconic hits, including “1-800-Ninety-Six,” “Kaleidoscope World,” and the crowd-favorite “Ito Ang Gusto Ko.”

Hip-hop group Morobeats delivered an expletive-laden, fiery performance, firing up the crowd while sending bold messages against government corruption and China’s harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

The audience also enjoyed a mix of musical genres that spanned generations, with performances by Ebe Dancel, Over October, Earl Agustin, and Rivermaya -- creating an experience that resonated with Filipinos of all ages.

Nica Del Rosario, composer of the 2022 campaign anthem “Rosas,” shone with her performance of “Tala” and her duet with rapper Pio Balbuena for “Kapangyarihan.” Balbuena, for his part, delivered a standout performance, belting out hits such as “44 Bars,” “Republika ng Tambay,” and “Akinse.”

Femme MNL, a collective of LGBTQIA+ dancers, captivated the audience with a high-energy playback Rihanna set, while Chelsea Alley showcased their signature heavy metal rock with powerful hits “We Are,” “Camouflage,” and “Heneral.”

OPM legends Janno Gibbs and Ogie Alcasid brought nostalgia and their trademark showmanship, performing “Pinakamagandang Lalaki” and a duet of “Handog ng Pilipino,” followed by Alcasid’s solo hits “Sige Laglagan Na” and “Nandito Ako.”

In between musical acts, comedians Alex Calleja and Red Ollero had the crowd roaring with laughter, delivering sharp, uncensored takes on current controversies and everyday Filipino life.

In the same way they ignited the stage earlier, the Magalona siblings closed the event with a repeat of their rousing performance of “Ito Ang Gusto Ko”, which will serve as a call to action for current and future Filipinos.

Capping the night was a spectacular 10-minute fireworks display, leaving the crowd buzzing about the concert long after they went home.

Following its successful staging, pundits claim the concert offered a fresh way to remember and honor EDSA People Power I. By blending nostalgia with bold calls to hold corrupt officials accountable, they claimed it was undoubtedly a memorable way to kick off the 40th anniversary of EDSA 1.