Chapter 3 "Spotlight & Shadows"

"3... 2... 1... Cue W4RI!" 

Umilaw ang buong stage sa kulay fuchsia at navy blue. Sumabog ang sigawan ng fans puno ang studio ng banners, light sticks, at pangalan naming apat.

Nagsimula na kaming kumanta nang isa sa 12 tracks ng aming first album- ang Love Miles. 

[Intro - All]

(Oh-oh-oh~)

Running, running just to see you smile

Flying through love miles~

[Verse 1 - Reia]

Humihiling sa mga tala,

Binabanggit ang ngalan mo

May mapa sa puso ko,

At ang daan ay patungo sa’yo

[Verse 2 - Wynona & Ingrid]

(WY)

Ilang countdowns pa ba,

Ilang tulog pa?

But don’t worry coz I will wait for you!

(IN)

Matagal pa ba?

O naiinip na nga ba? 

[Pre-Chorus - Amaya]

Ikaw ang tanong at sagot,

Kahit malayo, I won’t stop

Sa ‘yo pa rin babalik,

Lahat ng daan sa ‘yo ang patik

[Chorus - All]

🎵 Love miles, love smiles

Every step feels worth the while

Kahit saan, kahit kailan

I’ll find my way back to your light

Love miles, love dreams

We’re connected by our hearts, it seems

No matter, the distance is

[Dance Break - Instrumental with Group Chant]

W! 4! R! I!

(W4RI chant with hand gestures and high-energy choreo)

[Verse 3 - Ingrid (rap/light sing)]

Call me, maybe I’ll teleport

To your heart, ‘cause it’s my port

I wish I can have the strong passport 

Just to see you on fourth

But I won’t stop, no, won’t give up

Cause I know I will see you, come, come wait me up!

[Bridge - Reia & All (softly, then building)]

(RE)

Every night, I’m drawing stars

To spell your name from afar

(ALL)

No more fear, I know it’s clear

You and me will belong here!

[Chorus - All]

🎵 Love miles, love smiles

Every step feels worth the while

Kahit saan, kahit kailan

I’ll find my way back to your light

Love miles, love dreams

We’re connected by our hearts, it seems

No matter, the distance is

[Outro - Whispered / Breathless - All]

(W4RI… Love runs deeper than distance…)

Love miles…

Umaalingawngaw ang hiyawan at palakpakan sa loob ng studio, tila ba gumugulong na alon ng ingay na dumadagundong sa dibdib ko. Ramdam ko ang init mula sa maliwanag na stage lights na nakatutok sa amin. Nagulat ako nang biglang yakapin ako ni Amaya, mahigpit pero puno ng saya, at ngiting-ngiti siya habang umiikot ang mga camera sa paligid. Pagkatapos ay niyakap din niya si Wynona at Ingrid, na gaya ko ay hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa nangyayari. Pero kilala namin si Amaya palagi siyang expressive kapag may audience, parang laging may sariling spotlight.

Binigyan kami ng cue ng Stage Director, na nakasuot ng headset at may clipboard sa kamay, upang maupo sa malambot na kulay-abo na couch malapit sa sikat na showbiz host na si Sir Edrick Pua. Kilala siya bilang dating miyembro ng isang iconic Filipino boy band at isa ring hit songwriter. Matapos mag-disband ang grupo, naging isa siyang respetado at in-demand na TV host sa mga pinakamalalaking talk shows.

“Okay,” ngumiti si Sir Edrick, “ngayon nandito na kayo sa stage, tapos na ang inyong debut, at sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, napuno niyo ang Philippine Arena. How is that even possible? Let’s be real, kahit established artists, hindi basta-basta napupuno ‘yan.”

Nagkatinginan kaming apat. Kinuha ni Amaya ang mic, mas mahinahon na ang boses pero puno ng professionalism.

“Sir Edrick, honestly, it’s all about the connection we built with our fans even before we officially debuted. We engaged with them online, shared our journey, and made them feel part of this dream. Tonight is proof that when you dream together, you can fill the biggest arena in the country.”

Narinig ko muli ang hiyawan at sigaw ng mga fans. 

Tumango si Sir Edrick, halatang impressed.

“That’s inspiring. So, was this all part of a grand plan, or did the turnout exceed your expectations?”

Ngumiti si Wynona at sumagot.

“It exceeded our expectations, Sir. We dreamed big, pero iba pa rin kapag nandito ka na, when you hear thousands of voices cheering for you. Nakakatanggal ng pagod at nakakadagdag ng determination to keep going.”

“And as artists,” dagdag ni Ingrid, “we want to prove na P-pop is world-class, and that Filipino talent deserves the global stage. This is just the beginning, Seers!” 

Tumawa nang magaan si Sir Edrick at kumindat sa camera.

“Grabe, ang bigat ng statement na ‘yan ha! Pero you’re right — you’re setting the bar high for P-pop groups.” Huminto siya saglit, sabay tingin sa audience. “Pero curious ako, among the four of you, sino ang pinaka-emotional kanina sa backstage bago kayo lumabas?”

Nagtinginan kami sabay-sabay at natawa si Amaya, na parang nauna nang nagbigay ng clue.

“Ako na yata ‘yun, Sir,” natatawang amin niya. “I was trying to keep it together, pero habang naririnig ko na yung chant ng Seers sa labas, I just… cried. Pero happy tears!”

“Oh, kaya pala may nakita akong tissue kanina sa gilid ng stage!” biro ni Sir Edrick, at nagtawanan ang lahat.

Pagkatapos ay naging mas seryoso ang tono niya.

“Pero alam mo, hindi lahat ng groups nagkakaroon ng ganitong level of fan dedication right at debut. What do you think made your fandom, the Seers, so invested in you?”

Sumagot si Wynona, diretso ang tingin sa camera na parang personal na kausap ang fans.

“Because we listen to them. Hindi lang kami performers, we treat them like family. We share behind-the-scenes moments, we reply to their messages when we can, and we value their feedback. Kaya ‘yung bond namin, hindi lang artist-to-fan. It’s personal.”

Tumango si Sir Edrick, tapos binalingan si Ingrid.

“And with that kind of bond, comes responsibility. How do you handle the pressure?”

Huminga muna si Ingrid bago sumagot.

“By reminding ourselves why we started. The pressure is real, but our passion is bigger. We train hard, we rest when we need to, and we support each other. Hindi kami nag-iisa, we’re a team.”

“That’s a healthy mindset,” wika ni Sir Edrick. “At alam ko maraming nanonood ngayon na aspiring artists. If you could give one professional tip for anyone who wants to make it in the industry, ano ‘yun?”

Kinuha ko ang mic at ngumiti.

“Discipline over motivation. Motivation fades, pero discipline will keep you moving even on days you feel tired. You have to show up, train, and keep your integrity intact. Then if you want to do something, do it, lahat matututunan, you just need to show up and do it everyday.”

Nagpalakpakan ang audience at tumango si Sir Edrick.

“Very well said. Ladies and gentlemen, W4RI is here not just to perform, but to inspire. And after tonight, I think we can all agree… this is only the beginning of something legendary.”

Sandali siyang tumingin sa camera at muling bumaling sa amin.

“Before we let you go, alam kong gustong-gusto ng Seers at ng mga nanonood ngayon na malaman,  what’s next for W4RI? May upcoming shows or events ba na dapat abangan?”

Si Wynona ang unang sumagot, puno ng excitement ang boses.

“Yes po, Sir! We’re having our first nationwide fan meet tour starting next month. At doon mismo kami ang mag-aabot ng official merchandise na binili ng fans, para siguradong authentic at galing talaga sa amin.”

Sumingit si Ingrid, nakangiti rin.

“Ayaw po kasi naming may makuhang fans na hindi legit ang items nila. Gusto naming lahat ng merch nila ay galing talaga sa team”

Ngumiti si Sir Edrick, humarap sa camera.

“Ayun, legit na legit! So Seers, mark your calendars! And as always, keep supporting OPM and P-pop, dahil nandito ang W4RI to make history!”

Cue mula sa Stage Director, bumaba ang ilaw at bumalik sa commercial break. Pero bago kami tuluyang makalabas ng stage, lumapit si Sir Carl na seryoso ang mukha.

“Girls, backstage. Now.”

Pagdating namin sa likod, huminto siya at tiningnan kaming lahat.

“May problema tayo,” malamig niyang sabi. “May kumakalat na fake tickets at merchandise sa pangalan ninyo… at base sa reports, mas marami pa ang nabentahan nila kaysa sa official na merch table natin.”

Nanlamig ang katawan ko. 

At alam naming lahat ,sa ganitong industriya, isang iskandalo lang, puwedeng mabura ang lahat ng pinaghirapan.