By AJ Alarcon and Lia Atienza

Concertgoers crowded the Ateneo Junior High School (AJHS) covered courts to watch the We Play Here: School Tour by Warner Music Philippines featuring Original Pinoy Music (OPM) artists on Saturday, November 9.

The concert, organized by the Ateneo Senior High School Batch Project Committee (ASHS BPC) class of 2024, aimed at raising funds for their Batch Legacy Project (BLP) and scholars. 

The event started with Franz Guico, followed by performances of Yah Bles, Jan Roberts, Arthur Miguel, Jason Dhakal, Sugarcane, and PLAYERTWO.

In between performances, interviews and interactive games spearheaded by the host allowed the audience members to get free merchandise such as photocards of their favorite artists and an opportunity to meet them in person. 

The concert ended with a special performance by Felip, performing songs from his recent album “7sins,” and “Dilaw,” ending the program with their hit song “Uhaw.”

“Even though I don’t know all the artists, I still enjoyed kasi they’re great artists and ang gaganda rin ng music nila,” Zena Conel, an audience member, expressed.

“We Play Here definitely made me interested in a lot more artists,” she added.

Outside of the venue, along the AJHS Inner Driveway, a community bazaar was organized where food concessionaires and a flea market were stationed.

Booths highlighting the Ateneo Senior High School Council of Organizations (CSO)—specifically Art Guild, BOx-SHS, and Blue Kitchen—were also part of the bazaar, selling food and merchandise to the attendees of the concert.

Supporting Local Artists

The concert, aside from boosting funds for the BLP and scholars, also gave local artists the chance to showcase their music to the public.

Sani Gapan, an audience member who listens mostly to OPM songs, expressed how watching the concert made her feel proud to be a Filipino. 

“I feel very proud to see so many artists excel in the music industry,” she stated, “Sobrang sayang makakita ng kapwa mo Pilipino[ng] nagpeperform,” she concluded.

Going Back and Giving Back

The 2024 BPC handled the event with Warner Music Philippines as their partner, pushing through with the concert despite being alumni of the ASHS as an extension of their duties during the school year 2023 to 2024. 

Mrs. Rosanna “Sansan” Borja, moderator of BPC ‘24 for the concert, shared that the team struggled with organizing the event since they were already pursuing different courses in college.

She also stated that the class suspensions due to storms leading up to the concert also hindered its online and physical promotions, adding up to the worry of the team.

However, after the concert, she remarked on the success of the event. “This was a good idea after all,” Mrs. Borja expressed.

“They [the BPC ‘24] gave back to the school, and I think a good time was spent,” she added.