Meeting Steo In The Philippines (1)

Thanks to JANIS for sharing this story!

Here's my account of Steo's performance at the SM Megamall here in the

Philippines on Sunday, July 30, 2000 at 4 to 6 pm. . .

I got to the place at around 2:30 pm (we had to eat lunch first) and

surprisingly there was already a crowd of people milling around the

small stage. It was a free mall show with a signing afterwards so there were

about 8 benches in front of the stage which was already full and a

barricade of sorts surrounding the area (I think it was chicken coop

material which only went up to the waist so you could still see the

entire thing). You could only get inside the barricade if you buy a CD or a

cassette (which came with a free poster of the album cover). It's

kinda like a VIP section for the signing - they'll be the first people in the

queue. As I have already bought a CD last June, I bought a cassette

and got my free poster then went to the opening in the barricade. But lo

and behold, the damn security guard won't let me in!! He kept saying the

place was full and then completely ignored me! So I went to the other end

but the same thing happened so I went back and saw that another security

guard replaced the first one. So I waved my purchase at him and at the same

time my sister kept pointing at me saying 'she bought the CD, let her in!'

And he immediately nodded and I squeezed myself between fans and FINALLY

GOT IN!!! I was so happy at that moment I didn't know what to do! First I

just stood at the back (cuz that's the only place I could go), then I

sat for a few minutes, knelt down, stood up again, then finally sat indian

style cuz the fans at the back behind the barricade kept yelling for us

to sit down. I made friends with another fan and we chatted for a while,

both of us shaking with excitement. I even told her about SGML and how she

could join. After half an hour of anticipation and singing along the

album which they played over and over, HE ARRIVED... And there was screaming

all over I couldn't believe it! (Reminder: the Philippines is a Catholic

country where homosexuality is not completely accepted) Most of the

fans there were college students, girls and guys alike, and there were also

8-14 year olds with their mums. How open minded they all are!

He went to the small dressing room first behind the stage to freshen up

I guess and so that the guest DJ could introduce him. AND THEN OUR STEO

APPEARED... I was jumping up and down staring at him and screaming his

name! I couldn't believe I'm seeing him flesh and bone! He was wearing

a black shirt and grey pants and black slides. I could see his pink toes!

He said hello then sang (or mimed rather - it is a free show anyway) Wanna

Be Where You Are, then New Beginning, said a few more hellos and what a

great crowd we are, wiped his sweaty face and gave the towel to a kid then

sang If Only You Were Here and lastly I Believe, which is his carrier single

here. He had a funky routine for each song and I was gladly impressed

with New Beginning and Wanna Be Where You Are. I was singing along the

whole time staring at him hoping his camera crew (a woman bearing a videocam)

would see me completely engrossed with my singing feeling like I was

the only person in the room... Anyhow...

The show's over (sadly), his pits were all sweaty, his face glistening,

as was the rest of us excited fans. He went back behind the stage and the

DJ spoke again telling about his album and his tour and thank yous and

stuff for a few minutes. We made ourselves busy with the queue, some people

pushing and shoving, the DJ telling us to keep our cool and everything

will go smoothly. And then HE REAPPEARED... A table was set on the stage

and he sat on a chair and the queue moved until it was my turn. I felt myself

shaking when I got to the stage! The promoters said one person could

only get one signature so I readied my CD booklet and opened it to the

centre spread and he signed in his 'lovely' handwriting: To Janis, love

Stephen xxx. I gave him my small gift saying it's for him then said

'Regards to Eloy' and he said 'Awww, thanks'. He shook my hand and then

I walked along feeling like my feet wasn't touching the ground! I went

around the stage, saw my sister ran to hug her and screamed!! I can't

believe it! My dream finally came true! So we went around again trying

to find the best place where we could see him clearly. We stood at the

side of the stage for a few minutes before I decided to go in again hoping the

guards won't recognise me. When I got to the opening I went smoothly in

and queued again this time with the poster in my hand. So I went up the

stage again and got it signed the same thing in a bigger size but I never got

to say anything anymore cuz everyone was in a hurry as it was already 5:30

and the DJ kept saying Stephen's got a busy schedule and couldn't stay for

long. I smiled at him and saw his baby blue eyes and his cute little

smile. He seemed tired, or maybe sleepy, but he kept on signing and

shaking hands. I was about to go in the third time to have the cassette signed

but the guards had closed the opening so I was all regrets. But I was

still smiling searching for his face behind all the bodyguards big bodies and

security guards. We went back to the side of the stage where he's gonna

pass by towards the stairs and waited until he was finished signing.

He stood up said thanks and goodbye then walked past us and I screamed his

name again! He waved goodbye and then HE DISAPPEARED towards the

basement parking...

I WAS IN HEAVEN! Actually, I still am...

Next dream: to see Steo on stage singing live!! He said he'll be back

next year!!!