For the past few weeks, I have been constantly trying to be attentive with people's attempt of conversation with me, 'cause truth be told I have only one thing that I cannot stop thinking about, which is Kpop Republic. The said event consists of three Kpop Idol groups (Dal Shabet, EXO-K, SHINee ♥) and a hip hop duo (Crispi Crunch feat. Soomin of April Kiss).

Shall I start the story from the beginning?

September 7, 2013, approximately ten in the morning, I got word from a Kpop friend of mine that SHINee had just arrived from Korea. The initial plan was to not stalk them and stay put until the concert starts. But there was this feeling of hope when I thought about seeing them really up close, besides my sister really wanted to stalk them too. You see, we didn't acquire SVIP tickets, we had Upper Box A tickets, so I understand her sentiments. Hence, the thought of seeing SHINee's gayness up close was something to really ponder about.

After measuring the pros and cons, we've decided to wait for their arrival in Shangrila Hotel in EDSA. Once our feet landed near Shangrila Plaza, I could already feel the presence of all my fellow Kpop fans.
"You see that? They're fangirls! Come on!" I took hold of my sister's hands and I think it's appropriate to say that in that moment we tried our best to run like the wind
We heard girls screaming so we ran to that direction, only to find out that we were too late.
I asked a girl if SHINee had already arrived.
"They arrived minutes ago. I actually saw Taemin and Key."
We weren't ready to give up yet so I asked a friend of mine, who has experience in these kinds of things, where the idols usually loiter around.
We followed her directions only to be blocked by guards everywhere. We tried to look as if we weren't fans, but to no avail.

So in the end, we just sat at a corner in Shangrila Hotel and waited for a miracle to happen.

The look of a defeated fangirl :))

Perhaps this time anyone might think, SHINee might come around and we'll get to see them. But no. Life is not a fairytale, especially the life of a fangirl. So after an hour of waiting, we decided it was time to pack our bags and give up. We went inside Shangrila Plaza and waited for a friend of ours before we came to Araneta.

Waiting for my friend's sister. 'Cause she needed someone to go with her in the concert. By this time, I already felt tired. All the running we did took a toll on me.

We finally got to Farmer's Mall via MRT. And wow, MRT was really packed. Even if it was a Saturday and it wasn't even rush hour. We decided to finally eat, since a hungry stomach can't suffice for an energy packed concert. While eating, we were waiting for Sir Francis' arrival (officemate of mine), who is very kind to lend me his digital camera (I know. We're poor. Hu-hu). When he arrived, that's when I realized that we forgot to bring something very important, our concert tickets. Dun Dun Dunnnnnnn.

Yes. I, the ever organized and always planning Jencel, have forgotten our tickets. I seriously wanted to punch myself that time. I really don't know what was happening, but it felt like evil forces were toying with me that day.

It was raining really hard when we (Sir Francis was kind enough to accompany me) went back to the apartment and look at what happened.

Yes, we had to endure a knee-high deep flood just to get those tickets.

It was really frustrating 'cause I was posing this goth-I-hate-people-look but it got ruined. So in the end I went for the normal shirts and pants getup.

We got back in Araneta at around 5:30 PM and the gates were already opened. We got ushered to the reserved seats and I love how the stadium looked with all my fellow fangirls in their seats.

I cried when I realized how close I was to the stage. Ha-ha.

The fans went wild once the lights went out.

"Good evening Araneta Coliseum. Welcome to Kpop Republic. Here are your hosts for tonight, Christian Bautista and Jinri Park!"

Their appearance was really short. I guess it's because they're trying to squeeze in everything in a 2-hour concert.

The first act was the hip-hop duo Crispi Crunch. Normally, Kpop fans would not even mind anyone that isn't their favorite group. But their songs and the vibe their performance gave just boosted up everyone's excitement. I actually wanted to stand up from my seat and party like I don't care.

Their last song was Gangnam Style and I think they did it 'cause they really wanted everyone to dance along with them.

The second to perform is the female idol group, Dal Shabet. I have known them since I was in college 'cause of Chill (my very handsome bestfriend). He wanted us to dance Supa Dupa Diva in one of our performances. So that's when I discovered them. But I never really got into them like I did with 2ne1, SISTAR, f(x), etc. So my sister did some research on them and we watched their music video of Be Ambitious, and we were really lucky 'cause they actually performed it! I was able to take a video of it (it was too sexy awesome to not be recorded).


Their last song, coincidentally, is Supa Dupa Diva.

The next act, kind of blasted my eardrums to their death, EXO-K. I'm not much of a fan of the group. But their performance and songs (like Growl) were really good. I like how they're really interactive with their fans. They kept saying that Philippines was a beautiful country (according to my hearing), and how the Filipino fans are "go-reu-geous". I have to admit, Chanyeol and D.O really made my eyes stayed glued to them. I was also able to capture their first song, Wolf.

Their last song was Growl, and I, in particular, really enjoyed it 'cause *cough* D.O *cough*.

If I thought my eardrums was blasted when EXO-K performed, my heart, soul, body, and holy mother of glob every part of my being got blown away when a white curtain was put up for the next performers, SHINee. (You have to understand how badly I am controlling the urge to type everything in all caps right now.)

Their first song, Dream Girl (one of the my favorite era might I add), was just wonderful. Though I hated the part when the song already started and the lights were still off. But seeing them there, in that stage, with my own eyes, all the negative I felt that day went away. I suddenly didn't mind that I had to walk through a flood 'cause I forgot our tickets, the never ending stress of budgeting money just to buy those said tickets. All I felt was this bubble of happiness slowly starting to inflate itself in my lungs and the tears building up in my tear ducts.

I have thought of what my reaction would be when I see them. Will I cry? Will I just stand there like an idiot? Will it feel like it's real? All those questions were answered when the spotlights were turned on. Then, there they were, my four shining gay husbands (unfortunately one of them was back in Korea filming a drama) in all their glorious perfection.

After their first performance, they introduced themselves.
"Philippines! Long time no see huh?!"
I love how Key uses his English skills more to communicate with international fans now (they always used to have translators). Basically, he said that they miss Philippines and their sorry that they're only four but they promise to come back as five, and then he said that they love Filipino fans (I know they practically say it to any fan of theirs but to be one to which it's directed to. OH DEAR. Hold me).

Key said their next song was Lucifer, which in all it's glory is what made me discover SHINee and fall in love with them. 'Cause this song... this song have some of the raddest moves I have ever seen in my life (and they're all really sexy in it). 

Then the music started again and they dove right into another song which was Stranger. It surprised us 'cause they don't usually perform it in events like this. But the good thing about a song that isn't always performed is they give their all when they do. It's pretty obvious how they dance more when it's these kinds of songs.

Jonghyun then introduced their next song in korean which Key translated into, "You're so Beautiful". This performance is what made me want those SVIP tickets in the first place. 'Cause midway of the song they started interacting with the fans and giving out these bunny plushies in the crowd. I really wished I had elastic hands to grab one of it.

Then, it was there. The moment we all dreaded the most, their last song, Why So Serious?
I gave myself the liberty of putting down all the things I'm holding and enjoy their last performance. No cameras to check if I was recording them correctly, no interference with the feeling I know will soon be coming. Just me, my eyes, my maniacal screams, and my SHINee World lightstick bouncing to the beat of the song.


A display of fireworks started to go off in the bridge of the song, signalling the near end of the show. When Jonghyun sang the high note "Tonight~", I felt the tears rolling down my cheeks. The mixture of happiness and sadness overwhelmed me.

One last chorus, SHINee's final bow and the lights turned off.

That was it. The dream was over. But the memory of it, will always.. always, stay with me.

“I promise not to laugh.” She said with a straight face.
“Promises.” He sighed.
“What about it?” She looked at him in confusion.
He shrugged and took a deep breath. “I don't believe in 'em.”
Her nose crunched up. “Why not?”
He smile crookedly at her. “Cause promises are meant to be bro--”
“Bullshit.” She smiled innocently at him. And he blinked at her in surprise.
“Promises aren't meant to be broken. People just break them cause society tells them to.”
Now it was his time to be confused. “What do you mean?”
“Promises are meant to be broken.” She took a deep breath and looked up at the sky, thinking carefully of the words she needed to use. “When people break their promises, that's what comes to their mind. Because that's what they believe in. They believe more in that stupid saying than the power of their own will to keep a promise. But if they didn't believe in what most people say about promises, do you think they'll be able to do it? Break their promises?”
She looked at him and smiled . 'Cause he was analyzing what she just said, he was ready to accept yet another life lesson from her, and his beautiful mind that always tries to understand her, makes her fall in love deeper and deeper.
“Don't let society tell you what to be. 'Cause society sucks.” She leaned on his shoulder, closed her eyes, didn't say a word and let him bask in the great feeling of yet another epiphany.

They need not be a lover.
They can take any form they want: a friend, or a family member.

Soulmates can make you feel that heart-warming happiness; the sudden realization of how good life can be.

Soulmates can make you feel comfort, when nobody else can. Not even your favorite song, nor your favorite TV series.
Their magic lies in one normal conversation, then you can see yourself smiling again.

Soulmates can point out every flaw in you, and yet, make you feel good about yourself, even about the world.

Do you believe in soulmates?

'Cause I certainly do.

She giggled 'cause the screams of the crowd was gathering attention. Normally, she'd bow her head and be ashamed, but in this type of occasion, she didn't mind being in a crowd. In fact, the screams was a natural occurrence now. She observed the one with the long hair. He seemed uninterested in every kind of way.
The music started and they started gliding across the floor.
Surprise groped her as the boy started moving. His body was like the brush that with every stroke, made a masterpiece.
The music ended. But she stayed put in her place, her mind replaying every bit of move he made.
When she looked up, he was staring at her directly. She wanted to talk to him, ask him more about who he is. But she can't.
Just because.