Too much of a good thing at Filipino music showcase Rock that Love

Six hours of Filipino music acts meant the first performance was difficult to remember.

Rico Blanco performs at the du Arena, Yas island, Abu Dhabi at Rock that Love. Navin Khianey for The National

Some of the biggest names in Filipino music took to the stage during the Valentine’s-themed Rock that Love concert at du Arena on Friday night – but in the end, it was clear that perhaps you can indeed get too much of a good thing.

By the time the marathon six-hour event was finished, opening act Karylle’s performance was a distant memory – except for how she loved the Furne One dresses she wore on stage. Perhaps the lack of memorable moments was a result of the curse of being the first of six acts to perform.

Sitti Navarro slowed things down with a bossa nova set. Accompanied by only a guitarist, she sang songs from her albums including Ikaw Lamang (Only You) and Tattoed on My Mind. It felt, though, that a set such as hers would be better suited to a smaller, more intimate venue and not a huge arena.

A Valentine’s show would not be complete without a marriage proposal. This time, audience members Jonathan delos Santos and Rochelle Bajamundi were invited onstage under the pretence of winning a contest.

It must have been a nerve-­racking experience, with hundreds of people watching and cheering him, but Jonathan held his nerve and was able to deliver his speech – albeit a little awkwardly – and much to his relief (and the delight of everyone in the crowd) Rochelle said yes.

Back to the music, and the night belonged to Rico Blanco. Accompanied by two drummers in ati-atihan costumes, he captured the adoring audience’s attention from the start and never let go.

Singing his smash hits Antukin and Burado, plus the reworked Kisapmata and 214 from his Rivermaya days, the only problem with his 45-minute set was that it was much too short. The audience thought so, too, and for an encore he sang Panahon na Naman, with a surprise guest slot from Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar.

Spongecola let their music speak for itself through songs such as Tambay and Walang Sinuman. To show their appreciation for the fans, vocalist Yael Yuzon made it his mission to get close to as many of them as possible, even if it meant going over the steel fence and being surrounded by security guards to shield him from the more enthusiastic selfie-seeking members of the crowd. It was a grand gesture indeed. The set ended with the front stage empty and Yael somewhere at the back.

Five hours after the show began, headliners Parokya ni Edgar finally took to the stage. Following the Valentine theme, they sang their versions of love songs Magic Spaceship, Para sa Iyo and Silvertoes.

To the delight of fans, they also took a few audience requests: Bagsakan, with Chito singing/rapping the lyrics (and if no one could understand a few lines, nobody cared), and Yes, Yes, Show, with guitarist Gab Chee Kee singing the part originally sung by Vince, who left the band a few years ago.

Rock that Love was truly a showcase of the best of Filipino music – but six hours was simply too long.