School band tilt, others turn Greenhills into events hub

MANILA, Philippines - Exciting activities at the Greenhills Shopping Center are turning this global retail and tourism destination into an events hub.

The resounding success of the recently concluded fourth Greenhills Sessionistas highlighted this development, creating such a distinction especially among the young generation who trooped to this event in droves to witness the “raging” battle of the country’s school bands.

This electrifying musical showdown of the year saw three finalists — Soundvent, Overnight Kings, and Fried Ice — in a simmering clash of musical talent for supremacy.

The three had just hurdled the elimination round, besting nine others and surviving the rigid audition that involved some 50 aspiring bands.

Spicing up the elimination round was the participation of popular professional bands Imago, Rivermaya, Urbandub, and 6-Cycle Mind as guests in each of the four Friday nights of competition that soon culminated in the grand finals.

Greenhills Shopping Center general manager Cathy Casares-Ko was right in her prediction. “The grand finals can get overheated with excitement. They (finalists) are sure to bring out their best to uphold the pride of their respective schools, making it a tough choice for the judges,” Ko said in an earlier interview.

And real tough it turned out to be for judges Chikoy Pura of The Jerks, drummer Andre Soler formerly of Mullato, and Francis Reyes of NU107 as it took them some time to get the results in.

Aired by national TV networks, the grand finals took its course in a breathtaking fashion, with the student-dominated crowd fervently rooting and cheering for their own picks.

Eventually, Soundvent topped the competition, followed by Overnight Kings, and Fried Ice.

The results continue to be the talk of the town, both in Metro Manila and the provinces, where school bands now traditionally prepare for this annual competition.

Prizes included cash, gift certificates from the Greenhills Shopping Center Tiangge, and a four-night gig as a professional band at the Tiendesitas, where bar owners from various central business districts hunt for up-and-coming bands.

The excitement didn’t end there, however, as members of the Juan dela Cruz Band later emerged onstage, and hysteria broke loose.

Living up to their reputation, Pinoy rock icons Joey “Pepe” Smith, Mike Hanopol and Wally Gonzales unleashed a string of hit songs that gave the crowd a truly astonishing night to remember for a long time.

The audience didn’t seem to get enough, staying deep into the night to hear all that this famous rock band of the 70s could dish out.

Yet, this “soundspectacular” event is just one of the many exciting others that bring hordes of people, both local and foreign, to the Greenhills Shopping Center.

These events include the Trick or Treat at Shoppesville and the Pet Blessing at the G-Strip Parking in October, the Christmas Bangketa Fair, the much-awaited COD Christmas Display, and the Night Market in November up to December, and the Wet Market in December.

Now the nation’s top retail bargain center and entertainment hub, Greenhills is owned and operated by real estate and property giant Ortigas and Co. Ltd. Partnership, also the owner and developer of the Ortigas Center and CBD, and many other major property developments in other parts of Metro Manila.