Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Day 1: Rain can't stop Pasakalye to offer OPM for free

Unfurling Aliwan Fiesta 2023 is the Pasakalye entitled "Bente Naman Jam", signifying the concert's 20th staging after a four-year hiatus from the mainstream due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Expected to be held in front of the Aliw Theater, the inclement weather caused by tropical storm Dodong forced the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) to relocate the event.

There is no stopping the return of Aliwan Fiesta, even the rain. With the resiliency of the organizers, Pasakalye returned to the Aliw Theater on July 13, 2023.

Hosted by Conyo Bicolano and Angkol Dagol, disk jockeys (DJs) of 90.7 Love Radio, the Bente Naman Jam concert provided live musical entertainment among goers.

The more than three-hour-long musical festivity allowed people to enjoy classic and new original Pilipino music (OPM) hits of varying genres – creating a vibrant, unique listening experience.

Spicing up the rainy evening was former Mocha Girls members, Old Fantasy. The sexy crew turned the stage sizzling hot with seductive performances.

Imago came next to Old Fantasy. Headlined by lead vocalist Kharren "Kurei" Granada, the rock band founded in 1997 sang Eraserheads' "Spolarium". They next performed "Akap" from their 2004 album, "Take 2".

For their third and fourth songs, Imago played "Sundo" and "Taralets", two of the 12 songs included in their 2006 album "Blush" before leaving the stage for HEY JUNE! to take over.

HEY JUNE!, a new breed of musicians established in 2021, delivered young, fresh, and dynamic songs for live viewers or online users. The trio of Jim Mase, Coey Ballesteros, and Aci Forda made their presence felt, and worthy of applauses and praises. Their compositions, such as "Lasik", "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", "Orasan", and "Panahon", boasted depth and intricate lyrics for listeners to ponder.

It was the electropop rock band Gracenote's turn after HEY JUNE!. The 2012 Meg Magazine Top Newcomer winner electrified everyone in their seats with "Tigil", "Apektado", and "When I Dream About You". They even sang their latest single "Taong Robot" dedicated to Filipino workers.

Capping Pasakalye 2023 was SunKissed Lola. The Olongapo-based rock band serenaded, broke, and shed hope in the hearts of Aliwan Fiesta goers with their "Makalimutan Ka" and "Pakisabi".

If there is one song people wish to listen to, it is SunKissed Lola's "Pasilyo". It is one of the most successful OPM songs in the streaming era after breaking records in Spotify Philippines and Billboard Philippines Songs.

Listening to Pasilyo on the Internet is nostalgic, but seeing the band behind it performing the song on stage hits differently. SunKissed Lola sang their hit much to the delight of the live audience and online viewers.

"Ikaw at ikaw…" repeatedly echoed in Aliw Theater. Such perfectly capped off the night full of music with everyone exiting the venue smiling and feeling loved.

"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents." Ludwig van Beethoven, one of history's most admired composers, said. OPM had it – the ability to resonate with our senses deeply and without boundaries. Pasakalye is an opportunity for Filipinos to experience and love their music at its finest for free.

From Filipinos for Filipinos! Pasakalye 2023 nonetheless rocks on its highly-anticipated comeback for the locals.