"Parokya Ni Edgar" Live! in Manaoag, Pangasinan

It’s another sunny morning in Manaoag, Pangasinan.  The town had a blast last night with the well-attended musical band spectacle at the town’s plaza featuring no less than Chito and his “Parokya Ni Edgar” band.  The municipal government offered an enjoyable treat to its constituents on this year’s town fiesta.

The plaza was full packed with probably half of the town's population who all flocked at the open-air auditorium beside the Our Lady of Manaoag Church and the municipal hall.  A stage was set up for the occasion, it was a night of fun-filled entertainment.  

The musical concert started with a singing trio who rendered couple of songs followed by an all-male group from Pampanga who belted popular songs and shared funny antics with the audience.  A local school dance troupe staged an intermission, a nice dance beat to make way for some more hilarious frolics from the Pampanga troop.

The crowd were in a relax mood enjoying the whole comical performance and then the announcement for the arrival of the band – Parokya Ni Edgar – came on the microphone and the uproar started to erupt, the audience went into a frenzy of screaming, earsplitting squeals that almost shattered my eardrums.  I wanted to budge out of the roaring crowd but I’m already grappled right in the midst of the shrieking fans.  No chance of getting my way out, I resigned from attempting to evacuate the place.  I might as well enjoy the rage. HA HA!

The drum went rolling, the lead singer went onstage and the crowd’s rage swelled amplified by the sound of giant speakers and colorful spotlights, and the most awaited part of the concert started with popular songs that everyone appreciated. 

Chito Miranda,  Parokya Ni Edgar's lead singer.

Then the audience went singing altogether now with “Silvertoes”, everyone knows the song, who doesn’t –

“… O please naman, pakitanggap mo na lang ang katotohanan na ganyan ka 'pinanganak, wag ka nang magpapanggap na ikaw ay isang dalagang ubod ng ganda, kahit na alam naman natin na ang karakas mo ay ubod ng sama…haah haah aah…” 

HA HA HA! I knew I still have it! (Now, for English readers, please google translate, beware though, the lyrics may not sound appealing, but in local tone – it’s awesome).

“Parokya Ni Edgar” is a local band that popularizes several original rock novelty songs that almost all the youths (but not limited to the young people) in the country can identify with.  They are noted as the “Pambansang Banda ng Pilipinas” (National  [musical] Band of the Philippines) along with “Eraserhead” – another famous rock band.

The band rendered about 5 songs, everyone was delighted and after the last song, the place were relinquished with almost half of the crowd although the event is not yet finish.  I found my way out at last as I’ve been trying to control my gall bladder from exploding.

Now, that’s one night of fun that the town has to be thankful for to its  “Mayor Kim” for making this year’s fiesta a colorful and exciting one, a different experience for the townspeople of Manaoag.  Mabuhay po!  And “mabuhay” sa Manaoag.

Mayor Kim Amador. (Manaoag town mayor)

The fiesta mood is not over yet (as promised by the kind Mayor), there will be entertainment programs tonight and on Sunday (May 11, 2014) some celebrities will be gracing the occasion.  I heard Venus Raj (2010 Miss Universe 4^th Runner-up) will be present during the coronation of “Hiyas ng Manaoag”, a local beauty pageant.

Getting to Manaoag from Manila, there are direct buses from Manila to Manaoag. Dagupan Bus (phone (02) 727-2330) from their terminal in New York Street, Cubao has several trips a day (24/7).  Victory Liner (phone (02) 727-4688) is running direct to Manaoag.  Fare is P360.  Travel time is about 4 hours.

Address: Manaoag, Pangasinan, Philippines

Google Map Direction: Manaoag, Pangasinan