Daily TribuneThe band said the overwhelming demand ultimately convinced them to mount another performance, especially for fans who were unable to purchase tickets to the original concert.
OPM band Silent Sanctuary.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FB/SILENT SANCTUARY
Silent Sanctuary is giving fans another opportunity to witness its biggest solo concert yet after tickets for the original Gabi ng Lambing show on 25 October at the SM Mall of Asia Arena sold out in just five hours. Instead of adding a traditional second night after the first concert, the band is staging a “Reverse Day 2” on 24 October, turning the event into a two-night celebration of its 24-year musical journey.
The overwhelming response caught even the band members by surprise. Vocalist and guitarist Raymund “Sarkie” Sarangay admitted he avoided monitoring ticket sales and only learned later how many people were waiting online.
“Hindi ako tumitingin sa queue. Sinabihan na lang ako na may 18,000 people na naka-queue wala pang isang oras. Ayoko talagang mag-expect. Pinagdarasal ko lang na ma-sold out. Sobrang grateful ako nung nalaman ko dahil sobra-sobra 'yung binigay ng Diyos (I wasn’t looking at the queue. They just told me that there were already 18,000 people in the queue in less than an hour. I really didn’t want to expect anything. I simply prayed that it would sell out. I was incredibly grateful when I found out because God gave us more than we could have hoped for),” Sarkie said.
Cellist Anjo Inacay also admitted that the band did not expect tickets to disappear as quickly as they did.
“Nakakagulat talaga. Hindi namin inexpect na magso-sold out siya on the same day ng release ng tickets. Akala namin on the day ng concert pa posible mag-sold out (It was truly surprising. We didn’t expect it to sell out on the same day the tickets were released. We thought it might only sell out on the day of the concert),” Anjo said.
For violinist Kim Mirandilla-Ng, the sold-out show brought excitement as well as added pressure to deliver.
“Sobrang overwhelming, blessed, and at the same time mas dumoble 'yung pressure. Kailangan matapatan ng performance namin 'yung overflowing support and love ng fans (It’s incredibly overwhelming and such a blessing, but at the same time the pressure has doubled. We have to make sure our performance matches the overflowing support and love from our fans),” Kim said.
The band said the overwhelming demand ultimately convinced them to mount another performance, especially for fans who were unable to purchase tickets to the original concert.
“‘Yung nagpa-yes sa amin ay 'yung demand kasi may mga fans na hindi talaga umabot, lalo na 'yung mga kakalabas pa lang daw ng work, sold out na. Para ito sa mga fans na hindi nakakuha ng ticket. Para ito sa mga titos and titas of Manila (What made us say yes was the demand because there were fans who really didn’t make it, especially those who had just gotten off work and found that the show was already sold out. This is for the fans who weren’t able to get tickets. This is for the titos and titas of Manila!),” keyboardist and backing vocalist Poch Villalon said.
Despite adding another date, Silent Sanctuary assured concertgoers that both nights will receive the same level of preparation while offering memorable experiences.
“We are so grateful to those who purchased the day one tickets. Iibahin namin ‘yung experience ng 24 October to 25 October. Pero huwag kayong mag-aalala, parehong malupit ‘yung ipaparanas namin sa inyo (We will make the 24 October experience different from 25 October. But don’t worry — we’ll give you an equally amazing experience on both nights),” Sarkie said.
Poch likewise promised the band would give the same energy to audiences on both evenings.
“For both days, pareho ang makikita nilang energy namin. Expect na lang nila na all out kami sa both days. Gagalingan talaga namin (For both days, they’ll see the same energy from us. They can expect us to give everything we’ve got on both nights. We’ll truly do our very best),” he said.
Celebrating 24 years of music, Gabi ng Lambing will feature Silent Sanctuary’s biggest hits, fan-favorite deep cuts, fresh arrangements, and performances with The Manila Symphony Orchestra, Viva Voce and special guests.
Tickets for the newly announced date will be available beginning 18 July through SM Tickets outlets nationwide and online.
