Filipinos in Qatar embraced the winter chill last Friday to jam with Filipina singing sensation Gigi De Lana and her band, The Gigi Vibes.
Headlining the ‘Harana Concert: A Filipino Cultural Serenade’, the Pinoy artists heated up the stage of Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, with an all-out performance that showcased the best of Philippine and world-class music.
The cold never bothered the Filipina ‘Biritera’ (Diva) as she belted high notes and did not disappoint her fans amid the chilly temperature in the packed outdoor venue.
Harana 2024
From the producers of ‘Disyembre’, a Filipino homecoming concert by Asia’s Pop heartthrob Darren Espanto, ‘Harana’ was then introduced shortly as a phenomenal show that featured the sensational Gigi de Lana and The Gigi Vibes.
‘Harana 2024’ treated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Qatar and international audience to a night of enchanting melodies set ablaze by a nostalgic cultural celebration.
Produced by Funon Events and curated by ME Designs, the event was held in association with Daily Drip Café and Gangnam Korean BBQ and Sushi.
The Band
Apart from the sultry lead vocalist Gigi – whose real name is Mary Gidget Orfano dela Llana, The Gigi Vibes band is composed of Jake Manalo (bass), Romeo Marquez (drums) Jon Cruz (keyboard) and Julius Traqueña (guitar).
De Lana has been a trending diva on social media for hitting high notes of some Original Pilipino Music (OPM) like, ‘Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita’ – one of the songs she performed in the Harana show.
Her ‘Angel Baby’ and other contemporary song covers that went viral online were also played by the band in the concert.
Courtesy Call
Before the concert, the band paid a courtesy visit to the Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Lillibeth V. Pono and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Monica Remsy Calangian.
The Ambassador and Embassy officials witnessed the artists’ performance at the concert.
Press Conference
In a media conference held before the concert, de Lana did not disclose her repertoire for the event. She said, however, that its intimate theme, which is contrary to the band’s usual energy-infused shows, would assure the crowd that the event would be fun and entertaining.
Further to the press meet, the group confirmed to play some of their original compositions at the concert. As promised, they capped off the event with their original hit titled, “Sakalam” – a Filipino slang word symbolizing a person who is strong and powerful.
Local Front Acts
A series of front act performances took place prior to the main show. Maestro Dexter Tumang of Heartbeat Music and his band presented as the event’s performing arts partner.
The Concert
Filipinos and spectators from other expatriate communities braved a few hours in the cold to watch the show. The event producers earlier released reminders to wear winter clothes when coming to the concert.
Despite the weather, many fans stayed to chill out with their favorite musicians, while enjoying some offers from the food and beverage concessionaires in the concert venue.
“We were blown away by the electrifying performance of the YouTube sensation Gigi de Lana. I loved her song lineup during the concert. There was never a dull moment. She is a true performer!” said one of the concertgoers, Prince William Aresgado.
An OFW who works in the events industry, Aresgado shared that the atmosphere in the concert was fantastic. “The light and sound quality added a great impact to the whole experience. Good thing they requested everyone to stand up and sing along with Gigi. Everyone enjoyed the show!” he enthused.
“It was a well-organized event. We left the concert with LSS (Last Song Syndrome) from Gigi’s songs! #walangAIWAnan,” Aresgado stressed.
Warm Welcome
On her second visit to the country, the viral queen of music charts said that Filipinos in Qatar have always been incredibly supportive of her band, giving them a warm welcome and unforgettable experience. This makes her look forward to coming back here to perform for her Kabayans.
