Filipino music connoisseurs in Doha were treated to a nostalgic and energy-infused concert featuring Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto, as part of ‘Disyembre’ – a Filipino Homecoming Celebration, last Friday night at Mondrian Hotel.
The Superstar
One of the Philippines’ most successful and top-selling artists of the decade, Darren is a Filipino-Canadian singer, songwriter, actor, TV personality, and a talent of Star Magic.
Though it was his maiden performance in Qatar, he owned the stage, performed with ease and looked ecstatic at the crowd’s response. His nearly two-hour show was full of upbeat tracks and nostalgic songs.
The Concert
Darren brought his A-game with lively, mixed-genre songs that had his fans in awe while singing, dancing, and cheering throughout the show.
The globally renowned artist kicked off the set with sing and dance performances, including his self-composed hit-single ‘Bibitaw Na’ and sensual covers of songs like ‘Rise Up’ by Andra Dray.
Doors opened at 4pm. The show started with an ‘MFEC SEASON 9 Goes 90s’Pre-Show, followed by the Main Show at 7pm. A ‘Meet and Greet with Darren’ session took place at the same venue for the VIP ticket holders.
The Artist Collaboration
Disyembre’s artist collaboration featured Qatar’s Pinoy Global Talent, CREWQ, Maestro Dexter De Lara Tumang and Maharlikans Vocal Ensemble Philippines – a group of Filipino professionals based in Qatar who share the same passion for choral music, also performed during the event.
The Audience
The audience was composed of a huge fan base of all ages. Many of the concert-goers were ‘Darrenatics’ or die-hard fans of the Filipino Pop Icon. “Witnessing Darren perform, I saw him like the younger version of Garry V. He also reminded me of Jungkook when he performed the Phantom of the Opera. The concert was well organised. You could feel the full support of Darrenatics during the concert,” said Marlene Flores, Balitang Q Vice President.
The Producer
The concert was produced by ME Designs and proudly presented by Funon Events. It was supported by Doha Filipino Communities. Proceeds of the event will benefit the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Qatar.
The Disyembre management, headed by ME Designs - Funon Events Organizer Hamad Jassim M H Al-Naama, together with Disyembre Project Head Krizha Mae Bernardino and Program Head Aristotle Hernandez, said that the event took Filipinos on a captivating journey.
“From ME Designs to reality, Disyembre: A Homecoming, was not just an event brand but a home. The Disyembre Team has taken us to the flow of the event, from the entrance to the main stage, and planned a seamless experience,” said the concert producer.
The management also shared that all of these happened in a month of hard work for all the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) yearning home.
“Disyembre was realized. We would like to share this to all our Kabayans. It is a Filipinos’ success. Let Disyembre 2023 be the start of a yearly hope of OFWs to be together,” the event producer added.
The Doha Visit
A day before the event, the concert producers organised an exclusive press conference and Darren answered some of the questions from the media. He was asked what goes through his mind during his performances on stage. He humbly replied that he still feels nervous and prays, especially when he needs to belt high notes.
Darren also paid a courtesy call on the Philippine Embassy in Qatar. Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Lilibeth Pono and the embassy officials welcomed him during his visit.
The Homecoming
Darren put on an unforgettable performance and nailed the nostalgia factor on his first-ever live concert in Qatar.
Doha fans spent a remarkable night of music and entertainment with a global entertainment sensation whose music brought out the joy of homecoming not only in the Filipinos’ hearts, but aso in other communities.
The organisers behind the much-anticipated Filipino event of the year made everyone in Qatar experience the kind of celebration the Philippines’ have as one nation during this season of love and thanksgiving.
