Thousands of fans headed to the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds today (12/07) for Coke Studio Homecoming's Christmas Concert. The concert served as the culminating event for Coke Studio Season 2 which went on air last September.
The free concert kicked off early in the afternoon with Filipino pop-rock act December Avenue, plus a collaboration with pop singer Khalil Ramos.
By 5 PM, the organizers shared that the venue has reached full capacity and entry to the event has been temporarily suspended.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
— Coca-Cola PH (@CocaColaPH) December 7, 2018
For everyone's safety, admission to the #CokeStudioChristmas Concert at the MOA Concert Grounds is TEMPORARILY ON HOLD as we have reached full capacity.
We will re-open the gates once the venue can safely accommodate more people. Maraming salamat po.
Thirty minutes later, the organizers revealed that entry to the venue is permanently closed for the safety of everyone in the vicinity.
BANDWAGON TV
As of 5:30 PM, gates to the #CokeStudioChristmas Concert at the MOA Concert Grounds will be PERMANENTLY CLOSED to ensure everyone's safety within the vicinity. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused. Please know that your safety is our utmost priority.
— Coca-Cola PH (@CocaColaPH) December 7, 2018
Coke Studio Homecoming artist QUEST got up onstage to ask fans to cooperate with each other and show one another respect for the sake of everyone's safety.
Quest reminds the audience that their safety is of Coca-Cola's utmost importance and asks for their cooperation. This event can only be a success if we respect one another. Maraming salamat po. #CokeStudioHomecoming pic.twitter.com/ujZQhQm8AG
— Coca-Cola PH (@CocaColaPH) December 7, 2018
At 6:51 PM, the organizers revealed that the show is experiencing some technical difficulties and for fans to expect a 2-hour delay in the performances.
We're having technical difficulties at the venue and this may cause the concert to be delayed for 2hrs. We apologize for the current situation & we hope for your understanding on the matter. Please watch out for other updates & announcements. Thank you#CokeStudioChristmasConcert
— Coca-Cola PH (@CocaColaPH) December 7, 2018
Young local bands Lola Amour and Any Name's Okay both posted on their social media accounts that they will no longer be performing at the concert. The bands extended their apologies and wished for the safety of everyone in the crowd.
Hey guys, due to technical difficulties, we won’t be able to play at the Coke Studio Christmas concert anymore. Sorry guys! 😞
— Lola Amour (@lolaamourph) December 7, 2018
See you guys next year! 🐑 https://t.co/yJYrJkr8MZ
At 10:16 PM, Manila Bulletin News tweeted that Coke Studio Homecoming Christmas Concert has been rescheduled for early 2019.
JUST IN: For the safety of all, the management of SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City LGU, PNP and Coke Philippines have decided to reschedule the concert tonight to 1Q of 2019. #CokeStudioChristmas #CokeStudioPH | via @bobreyes pic.twitter.com/TuCjSdL9KX
— Manila Bulletin News (@manilabulletin) December 7, 2018
Coca-Cola Philippines's official Twitter account confirmed the news with an official announcement. The Coke Studio Concert will now take place in the first quarter of 2019. The organizers emphasized that they made the decision to cancel the event together with the Philippine National Police, SM, the government of Pasay, and all of the artists involved. "The safety and security of our audience is our number one priority," Coca-Cola Philippines writes in a statement. They also expressed their thanks for the public's continued support for their Coke Studio campaign.
The Coke Studio Concert will be moved to first quarter of 2019 to ensure the safety of all concert-goers. We apologize for the inconvenience at tulad ng sabi ni Quest, magkita-kita po muli tayo sa 2019! #CokeStudioPH #CokeStudioHomecoming pic.twitter.com/bs3DIzFI6T
— Coca-Cola PH (@CocaColaPH) December 7, 2018
We would like to express our profound gratitude for the public’s continuous support for Coke Studio. However, the safety and security of our audience is our number one priority. (1/3)
— Coca-Cola PH (@CocaColaPH) December 7, 2018
After careful assessment and request for the public’s cooperation, COCA-COLA together with PNP, SM, THE CITY OF PASAY, AND ALL OF THE ARTISTS, we have deemed it necessary to reschedule the concert to the first quarter of 2019. (2/3)
— Coca-Cola PH (@CocaColaPH) December 7, 2018
We apologize for any inconvenience this causes to everyone. (3/3)#CokeStudioPH #CokeStudioHomecoming
— Coca-Cola PH (@CocaColaPH) December 7, 2018
— Coca-Cola PH (@CocaColaPH) December 7, 2018
Musicians who were supposed to take part in the scheduled event also shared their well-wishes for the massive audience that has gathered at the MOA concert grounds.
Para sa lahat ng pumunta sa #CokeStudioChristmas, ingat po pauwi. Para po ito sa kapakanan nating lahat. Mas pipiliin namin na ligtas kayo. Huwag sana tayo magkagulo palabas.
— Any Name's Okay (@AnyNamesOkay) December 7, 2018
Mahal namin kayo! See you sa future gigs. ❤️
Coke Studio Homecoming host Saab Magalona-Bacarro wished for everyone to reach their homes safely.
Wishing everybody gets home safely 💔 https://t.co/F5Yc3UFhHv
— Saab (@saabmagalona) December 7, 2018
IV of Spades members Blaster Silonga and Zild Benitez thanked everyone for coming to the show despite the cancelation, asked fans to protect themselves and wished them well in their journey home.
Thank you for coming and i hope everyone is safe, take care and see you all you soon.
— Blaster Silonga (@Bsilonga) December 7, 2018
stay safe, protect yourselves, and go home. i'll see you on some other shows so pls be safe.
— zild (@zildbenitez) December 7, 2018
QUEST expressed his love for everyone who went to the MOA Concert Grounds and apologized for the day's unfortunate experience.
Drained.
— Quest (@officialQUEST) December 7, 2018
Sa lahat ng nagpunta sa MOA concert grounds... Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Kayo ang dahilan ko. Pasensya sa nangyari. Babawi kami pangako yan.
Ben&Ben, who were also scheduled to perform, asked their fans to take care of themselves - wherever they may be.
Wherever u are, take care always
— Ben&Ben (@BenAndBenMusic) December 7, 2018
*Header photo from Coca-Cola Philippines's Twitter account.
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