If Sam Concepcion is walking on Cloud 9, it’s because Taylor Swift gave him a big hug last Saturday night at the Big Dome where he front-acted for her. It happened backstage after Sam finished his opening act which was warmly received by the record crowd that filled up every nook and cranny of the venue.
The one-hour-and-a-half show started promptly at 8 o’clock with the playing of the Philippine National Anthem. Then Sam sang Yeah Three Times, followed by an abridged version of his hits Kung Fu Fighting and Even If, and closed his act with Fireworks, backed up by the De La Salle dance company.
Then came the big hug.
While coming down the stairs from her dressing room, Swift saw Sam. She ran to him and gave him a big hug, saying, “Sam, you were awesome! Great! Thank you!” According to Sam’s manager Carlo Orosa who witnessed the whole thing, Sam was so overwhelmed by the unexpected hug that he was immobile for a while. “I didn’t expect her to hug me,” Sam finally said, “she seemed so excited, so I got excited, too!”
Onstage after her first song, Swift shouted to the audience, “Do you love Sam Concepcion?” The coliseum shook with the audience’s thunderous applause and “Yes!!!!” cheers.
The SRO crowd included Richard Gomez and wife Lucy Torres, Michael V., Sam Milby, Maja Salvador, Kim Chiu, Vice Ganda and Kris Aquino.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.phor at entphilstar@yahoo.com)