Puregold, the nation’s supermarket, deserves kudos for bank rolling, gambling and producing the OPM Con 2025 that happened at the world’s biggest indoor concert venue, the Philippine Arena.

On stage, it blazed with the world-class talents and music of BINI, G22, KAIA, Flow G, Skusta Clee, Sun Kissed Lola and SB19. What made it a spectacular concert were the direction of Arnold Sanchez, technical direction of Mike Ong and lights direction of Adrian Gajudo. Each act employed their respective musical directors, live band and back-up dancers.

No wonder the lights, sound and technical design, LED surprises, visual and pyro technics were all top-tier plus the videos with the narrative that highlighted a day in the life of Puregold employees whose motto “happy to serve” was not only seen but felt, and experienced on a daily basis by loyal patrons and growing numbers of satisfied clientele. It gave the concert a from the heart element that appealed to all.

“Undeniable talent and potential,” said Cahilig with regard to the artists who made the cut. “In the case of SB19 and BINI, they are P-pop powerhouses. The other artists are first-timers on the Philippine Arena stage whose potentials are exponential; they are the next-in-line OPM/PPop superstars.”

In an official statement, Piedad said: “We’ve always believed that our connection with our shoppers goes beyond the checkout counter. We are gratified to know that through Puregold OPM Con 2025, we gave our loyal members an unforgettable celebration of Filipino music, talent and pride on a massive scale.”

‘Concert experience’

The enthralling night was like a love letter to the many sounds of OPM/All the artists gave their A-game, brought sizzle and scorch, had the groove and mojo that were highlighted in their topnotch dance moves and performances.

The 30K plus audience inside the venue, composed of the many fandoms and casuals, responded enthusiastically to all the artists who gave their more than 100 percent on center stage.

Girls just want to dance and sing

Of the girl groups, most impressed with G22. Styling wise, they were so Beyonce in her Destiny’s child era, white-fire hot in their gold and white numbers. Dance moves with grace and precision plus their masterly vocals, gave their anthems the requisite fierceness and bop to their fast numbers and feels to the slow ones.

Most improved in their dancing and vocals, BINI. They are no longer in their sugar and spice and all that is nice epoch, they are more womanly, spirited and with the right attitude resonantly. The anime meets Darna and the Planet Women styling accorded the oomph and wow factor.

The first-timers, KAIA needs to improve on their fashion choices. Vocally and performance wise, the nerves were obvious, and it cannot be helped that whatever they lacked were amplified because they came after a polished BINI performance.

Men of rap

Archie Basilio dela Cruz and Daryl Jake Ruiz, who are more popularly known as Flow G and Skusta Clee, respectively, were the duo of rap artists who performed during the OPM concert.

The millennial and Gen Z members of the crowd recited with them as they performed their designated sets and did their rap duo.

First time to hear their rap anthems and, obviously, Flow G had a more edgy and in your face kind of lyricism. Clee, on the other hand, showed off some of his dance moves, guitar playing and some of his rap numbers bordered on the fun and daily life surprises.

Kings of P- pop

It was just fitting that SB19, the Kings of PPop were given the finale segment. As expected, with their power vocals, synchronized dancing and precise movements, and monstrous performance energy, DAM, Crimzone, QUIT, their duet with Rico Blanco, Liwanag sa Dilim, 8Ton Ball and DUNGKA were rapturous, orgasmic even.

Pablo Nase, Josh Cullen Santos, Justin de Dios, Ken Suson and Stell Ajero showed the Philippine Arena crowd, “This is how you do it.”

A one for pop culture and history books moment, Blanco joining the Southeast Asian Pop Superstar Group in DUNGKA, wherein the modern-day rocker and poet surprised by doing the dance moves with SB19.