Big Bang, thank you (and you)!

Twelve countries, fifteen cities, and millions and millions of screaming fans. This is the tale of the Big Bang Alive Galaxy Tour, and the story came to an end yesterday, with Day 3 of 'The Final in Seoul'. Thinking about it leaves a bittersweet feeling, which I'm sure most VIPs can empathize with.

Photo credit: Big Bang Official Facebook Page

And because I still have a hangover from the Manila leg some three months back, I'd like to share with you this interview of G-Dragon which appeared in his Star Column. He talks about his Dara noona so fondly (that's Dara of 2ne1 aka Sandara Park), which I find really endearing. Read on:

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The first thing that comes to my memory was hanging out with Dara-noona in the Philippines. 2NE1′s Dara-noona went to the Philippines by herself to watch the Philippine concert. ^^ (Noona~Thank you!!^^)

Dara in Manila!

Because noona was active in the Philippines in the past, we knew that she’d be the person to know the Philippines best, so the members and I all started to ask her, in an insistent and constant manner, to take us out to a nice place. Finally, Dara-noona said that she knows a great restaurant  and suggested that we go out to eat there. So for the first time in a foreign country, all 5 members decided to eat together! Out! So that’s what we did. Not just the members, but other members of the staff as well, managers and security!! As it was the first time for all of us to eat out in a foreign country, all of us were really excited as we all got ready, and finally left with Dara-noona. ^^

At first, we were talking each other and getting more and more excited, and at the same time, we were enjoying the scenery from our window, with the thought of having a picnic in mind. Dara-noona has said that the place we were going to was a bit far, quite outside of town, but still we wanted to go~ go~ go, and so we went.

Then people were starting to get tired and fall asleep, as the sun was setting and  it started to get dark. (I only knew of this later, but they said that at this time, Dara-noona was getting worried. I didn’t know because I was in a different car.. ㅠㅠ)

After two hours, we finally arrived at this great outdoor restaurant, it was a really cool restaurant because you can eat while having a terrific view, specially if you come in the afternoon and can enjoy the sunset. B.U.T. Since we left late, we arrived late in the evening when it was already dark… It became a situation when we had to eat in the dark. Pparabam~! (Dara-noona version ^^) However, it was still a famous restaurant, so we ate the food that Dara-noona had suggested, we had a meaningful time together as we all talked with each other. (This is where I took this photo ~ With this long beer bottle~ You know this, right??)

GD + SMB :)

One more fact that is absolutely shocking, which we found out almost while we were done eating! This same restaurant was, in fact, also found just 5 minutes away from the hotel where we were staying… Pparabam…..ㅋㅋ

But I didn’t regret anything; we all had a great time, eating delicious food and talking with great people.
If only… We could take out the part where we had to go through the entire 2-hour ride.. ^^

Dara-noona!! I’m very grateful for the good memories! Thank you~!!! ^^

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Ah, Jiyong! What I wouldn't give to see you and Seunghyun again. :)

Source: Naver
As seen on: DKPopNews

Foodie Goodie | BonChon Chicken!

Deciding where to have dinner before the Big Bang concert began was a no-brainer. For my friends and I, it had to be BonChon.

For one, it was located at the Ground Floor, South Wing of Mall of Asia - just a stone's throw away from the MOA Arena where the concert was to be held. Also, it's a franchise of Korean origin. And you very well know how biased I am for anything Korean, just like most Kpop fans out there.

The place was actually teeming with VIPs that night. And by VIPs, I mean fans of Korean boy group Big Bang. Too bad I wasn't able to take a photo of the crowd. By the time we found vacant seats, all I wanted to do was dig in to these chicken wings.

Wings Ricebox, Php 145.

The Wings Ricebox includes a regular soda (or iced tea), white rice, and four pieces of chicken wings. Yes, four - because the wings are smaller than the usual, and one or two pieces would not be enough to satisfy one's hunger.

Soy garlic, yum!

I ordered the Soy Garlic flavor, which is a blend of sweet, salty, and savory. Definitely savory. I love the crispiness of the skin the most. Paper-thin in texture with just the right crunch, this is what you get with twice-cooked chicken - the best chicken wings in the planet. (Mind you, this is not a sponsored post.)

BonChon also serves beef and fish dishes, some of which include Beef Bulgogi and Fish Taco. Also on the menu are Kimchi Coleslaw (pickled cabbage with the traditional flavors of kimchi) and Chapchae (sweet potato noodles stir-fried in sesame oil with beef and vegetables), and the infamous KoYo, or Korean yogurt.

Decisions, decisions.

BonChon now has over thirty branches in the country, and several more around the globe, including New York, San Francisco, Boston, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Singapore. How I wish they'd open a branch in Laguna soon! The nearest from my place would be the Alabang Town Center branch, which isn't exactly near considering the almost two-hour drive to get there. 

Anyhow, here are the happy campers during the Big Bang Alive Tour Manila, which I will spazz about in the next entry. Haha!

L-R: Our maknae Coeli, Human Heart Nature girl Angel,
the ultimate fangirl  Issa (she stalked UKISS all the way to Clark lol),
my godsister, colleague, better friend Fides, and your favorite Noona, me! :)

Where to find BonChon?

Official website | Facebook | Twitter

Shared with Food Friday and Food Trip Friday.

Big Bang extends Galaxy Alive Tour 2012 to London!

European VIPs are in for a treat as Big Bang extends their world tour to London!

The Big Bang Galaxy Alive Tour will be held on December 15, 2012, Saturday, at the Wembley Arena in London. Tickets will go on sale starting October 26, and can be purchased via TicketMaster UK and LiveNation UK.

As posted on Korea.com.

#BBAliveTourPH | Tickets, please!

The Big Bang Alive Tour in Manila is still three months away, but would you believe that the VIP seats are sold out this early?! Even a great number of the Lower Box seats have already been taken!

And so before I end up standing at the back row near the fire exit come concert day, the little man and I went straight to SM City San Pablo, as soon as his class ended. The goal was to score five tickets for my friends and I.

I managed to find five available seats at the Upper Box. Not the seats that I wanted, but for now it'll do.
I didn't purchase the tickets outright and had them reserved instead. I still have three days (the last being this Saturday) to claim the tickets, and I'm hoping those seats that I originally wanted will be available again.

Reservation, success!

Sharing with Wordless Wednesdays all over. 

#BBAliveTourPH | Wow, Fantastic Baby!

Have you been following me on Twitter? If yes, then chances are, you've seen the #BBAliveTourPH hashtag in most of my recent tweets.

That hashtag, my friends, actually stands for this.

The Big Bang Alive Tour 2012!
We're lucky that Big Bang included Manila in their world tour, even if it's for one day only.

After being heartbroken with Super Show 4 and the fact that there was no Manila leg of Super Junior's world tour, I made a promise to myself that if ever Big Bang will come to the Philippines for a concert, I must see them live. The gods of Joseon must have been listening when I said this, and here we have it - the Big Bang Alive Tour!

The concert isn't until October, but I'm preparing for the event this early. Seats will go on sale on the 22nd, and my friends and I are already mapping out our plan of action for Sunday. Tickets will be selling like hotcakes for sure, and they could be sold-out on the first day for all I know! You can never be too sure when it comes to Kpop fans. We're a crazy, uber-supportive bunch, especially when it comes to our biases.

In the meantime, I'm listening to Big Bang's Still Alive album, which actually arrived at my doorstep some three weeks ago.

Inside the box is the CD itself, and a whole lot more. Plus a poster, too.

The Hyundai x Big Bang Star Card, which might come in handy on concert day.

I'll be bringing all of these to the concert, just in case. 

And for sure I'll be bopping and dancing and going crazy over Fantastic Baby - which happens to be my son's most favorite Big Bang song to date.

I'll be ogling over TOP, too. Along with more or less 40,000 Filipino fans, lol.

Are you going to the #BBAliveTourPH? Lemme know where you're gonna be seated! See you on October 24! And don't forget to bring your lightstick!

Wow, Fantastic Baby! :)

Shared with Wednesday Whites, PhotoStory Friday, This or That Thursday.

Big Bang's Big Heart: Helping 600,000 children through UNICEF

Since the release of their Alive album, and their special edition Still Alive album, Big Bang has become more popular than ever and has gained the love and support of fans worldwide. But despite being at the top of the world with their continuous success, the group never fails to return the love and attention that they have been receiving.

On June 14, an agreement between YG Entertainment and UNICEF has been made. The former, represented by Director Yang Min Suk, and the latter, represented by Secretary General Ryu Jong Soo, met at the UNICEF Headquarters in Korea and have agreed that part of the proceeds from the Big Bang Alive Tour 2012 will go to UNICEF. The donation will come from the ticket sales, and will go towards vaccination programs for children. With this, an estimated 600,000 children will be able to receive immunization for measles. One ticket is like saving the life of one child in Africa.

YG Entertainment and UNICEF are also planning to release special Big Bang collectibles which will be sold at concert venues. Profits will also be used for the vaccination program.

According to G-Dragon, "We want to repay all the love that we received from around the world, which is why we decided to help UNICEF." The group leader further explained, "The money raised will be used for children’s immunization. We hope that many children will not get sick and grow up healthy.”

Source: TV Report

Fly me to Jeju! Big Bang style!

Allow me to take a break from all the giveaways and sponsor spotlights 

and give the rightful spotlight to...

JEJU AIR

and

Photo credit:  TeamBIGBANG™

BIG BANG!

Isn't this daebak? Nomu nomu daebak!!! The first plane takes off today with Gimpo-Jeju as its route.

If and when our South Korea trip pushes through, I will see to it that I fly aboard one of those planes. (Hello, husband! Just reiterating the Jeju trip you promised for our anniversary!)

Hallyu's Hottest | Lee Jun Ki, Choi Siwon, Big Bang!

If the sweltering heat of the summer isn't hot enough, then perhaps these flower boys would be more than sufficient to raise the temperature to a fever-pitch.

First off, the my quintessential kkonminam goes inside the studio to record his upcoming single album, 'Deucer'.

Photo credit: @JGshock

The album will be released first in Japan this month, while the Korean release is scheduled for April. Oh, and yes, I've already pre-ordered my copy. :)

Meanwhile, the bad boys are fizzling hot in their latest MV. Released yesterday (March 7), Fantastic Baby has caused a frenzy all over the worldwide web with its head-bopping beat and catchy lyrics (boomshakalaka is catchy enough, right?).

Photo credit: Korea.com

Big Bang's quirky and eclectic style doesn't go unnoticed in this video, either. I, for one, am totally drawn to TOP's smoky eyes and blue hair. They're totally, Fantastic Baby!

Finally, some homegrown news. And why homegrown?
Because these two are now endorsers of a Philippine-made, world-renowned brand!

It's official! Choi Siwon and Lee Donghae are the latest addition to the Bench family! And it won't be long 'til we see jaw-dropping, traffic-stopping billboards of SiHae plastered all over EDSA. Better yet, there is a huge chance of the boys coming to the Philippines for promotional activities. Expect ELFs all over the country to go ballistic all over again! Me included! :)

Singing (the) Blue | Big Bang Daebak!

I wasn't a BigBang fan. Until this came along.

Blue - title track of BigBang's 5th mini album

After I posted this yesterday, I got so curious about BigBang's comeback album that  I couldn't help but to Google it. Really, when you see something as quirky as this, you're bound to get curious.

Nebulizer masks FTW!

The next thing I knew, I was on BigBang's official YouTube channel, watching the Blue MV over and over until Yue began complaining about it. "Mommy, ang lakas naman ng tugtog mo! Hindi ko marinig si Pink Panther!" (Mommy, your music is too loud! I can't hear Pink Panther!) LOL.

I usually fall in love with the song first, before the artist itself. After being smitten by Blue, I decided to preorder a copy of Alive for myself. Just when I thought the only album I will be purchasing this year would be Lee Jun Ki's Deucer (single to be released in March, album in April), I found myself enamored by Blue - like I'm in a trance or something. Play the video above and perhaps you'll understand what I'm talking about.

And with that, I'm now making it official. The Rebel Sweetheart is now a VIP. :)

*VIP is BigBang's official fan club.