Hallelujah: Bamboo and Yeng hawak-kamay in show

MANILA, Philippines - Last Aug. 17, at the Araneta Coliseum, Bamboo Mañalac and Yeng Constantino proved music fans that a duo doesn’t have to be real-life partners to come up with a magical, remarkable music together. B/Y Request, produced by Cornerstone Concerts, hyped the Rock Maestro and Pop-Rock Princess’ music. The concept of B/Y Request was coined from Bamboo and Yeng’s version of Eurythmics’ Here Comes The Rain in ASAP 18, which they also did in the concert. The chemistry during that production number led the two to staging one spectacular show.

The concert also showcased G-Force and special appearances by R&B singer Thor and Team Bamboo of The Voice Of The Philippines.

B/Y Request was under the musical direction of Jack Rufo and Ria Osorio and directed by Paul Basinillo. Aside from the full-band set-up, chorale and choreography, B/Y Request’s concept was patterned after a world-class concept via video-mapping effects making it exceptional compared to typical OPM concerts set-up, specifically pop-rock concerts. The concert showcased songs requested by fans. The show opened with Hallelujah and Hawak Kamay, Yeng and Bamboo’s biggest hits.

Yeng was the first one to perform under a set list which included her massive hits and several exceptional tracks. Yeng’s wide range enabled her to take on songs even ones out of her genre. Who would’ve thought that Yeng could actually take on an Aretha hit? Yeng’s version of Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel) was one of her best moments in the show. Adele’s Set Fire To The Rain and Alicia Keys’ Girl On Fire were the songs that had belted the other side of her prowess. Salamat, Cool Off and Lapit were some of her No. 1 hits that Yeng performed that night which the entire Big Dome sang along with. Current MYX trailblazer Chinito was done with the well-known choreography against the actual music video background.

While everyone was still surprised with Yeng’s exciting and risky song choices, the feeling was likely uncanny with Bamboo. B/Y Request brought the unexpected from the rock icon and was a change of scene to everyone.

Bamboo opened his set with Probinsyana and one of his monster hits Carousel. Bamboo received an overwhelming and unforeseen reception from the crowd when he did Bruno Mars’ When I Was Your Man and Locked Out Of Heaven, proving his versatility amidst his rockstar status. The rock superstar was also up for an impromptu that night and blew everyone away with his take on Bonnie Raitt’s I Can’t Make You Love Me. Bamboo never failed to bring up something for the nostalgia — the Rivermaya days. Aside from Ulan which he did in a mash-up with Singing In The Rain, 214 received the most exalted reaction from the crowd and brought back a lot of memories.

The night wouldn’t have been complete without the two swapping hits. Bamboo and Yeng were, of course, expected to exchange songs that night. Arranged in a slower guise, Bamboo did Yeng’s Pag-ibig and Yeng performed Bamboo’s Masaya then counterpointed towards the end.

Collating all the elements of the concert, B/Y Request is now one of the assets of OPM concert scene. Combination of current accentuations and grand standing musicality provide world-class quality shows. No matter how many hits make it into Bamboo and Yeng’s setlist, their greatest songs might be the ones they didn’t write at all.

Rather, by just the thousands of fans who filled up the Big Dome that night explained how highly appreciated Bamboo and Yeng are not just as pop-rock vocalists but as true-blooded musicians and that’s what wrapped the show up.