September 14, 2005
Chuck (not his real name) and I gleefully walked around the block that consisted of the Amoranto Stadium during the Red Horse Musiklaban Grand Finals. We were heading to the main gate because our friends who were finalists representing the Visayas, their band called “Piyesa” asked us to watch and support them backstage, and we had to claim our passes in the main entrance. At first we saw a very long line of young people eager to watch the show, but after buying film and batteries for the camera, the long queue of people suddenly disappeared. We speculated that they were able to get in already. However we were dismayed as we reached near the main gate. The whole street was swarming with a sea of people, the line ultimately transformed into a chaotic mob. It was a nightmare. Especially near the gate, bodies were so tightly compressed with each other that it seemed so impossible to get across or even dream of passing through them all. But we had to. It was our only chance to get those passes. I quickly texted the guys inside, about our predicament, hoping that they could provide us with an alternate entry. There was no reply. Time was running and Piyesa was to be the second finalist to perform… and the show already started. Out of desperation, Chuck decided to seek help from a bouncer.
“Boss, we’re with Piyesa, our passes are inside, can you help us get in?”
“Come with me, i’ll help you guys get through…”
When he meant “get through” he really meant it literally.
He guided us slowly inch by inch, passing through the tightly packed mob, forcing his way across, shouting, cursing and threatening people who were not giving him way. He was a big fellow. Quite intimidating. A seasoned bouncer. We moved in closely behind him carefully in order not to lose him. However it was still jampacked. It was like moving inside a can of sardines. I saw faces of tiresome young people, beaded with perspiration, faces full of disappointment and worry because of being stuck in a crowd for so long, unable to get thru or get out. What brought me pity was to see young girls, teenagers, trying their best to get in too, their attire and makeup ruined because of the mob. Unfortunately for them, we were the only ones moving across…slowly. After a few minutes of constant aggression, the bouncer was able to lead us near the front gate. The mob was already getting wild and was pushing their way towards the gate. My heart beated loudly… thinking that getting crushed by a stampeding mob flat against the steel gates could kill us. Think about the weight and force of each individual altogether. Collectively they could squeeze the bejeezus out of me. Luckily, all the bouncers were trained to react immediately to an uprising of that kind. They immediately lashed out their wooden rattan sticks and motioned to smack anyone who tried to move towards the gate. The bouncers were shouting at the mob ordering all to sit, instead of standing and losing balance. There was a guy who passed out because of dehydration and was lying on the ground infront of the gate, face as pale as the moon, a cameraman from ABS taking a situation shot of the ruckus and the guy on the ground. The crowd shouting at the bouncers and at me and Chuck. Man, it was all fucked up. It was so intense… that it would just take a few seconds for us to be crushed to death. Chuck asked the bouncers at the gate opening to let us in, and luckily we got inside in no time. There. At least we were safer behind the steel gate. Chuck wanted to look for the bouncer who helped us get through to express our gratitude, however he was outside. Nevermind, that would be suicide. A few minutes later, Rowell came limpingly trudging towards the ticket booth, and handed over 2 backstage IDs.
He said to me; “I was calling your cellphone but you weren’t answering it, I wanted to meet you guys nalang at the back gate, so you wouldn’t have to go through all of that…” What kind of idiot would pull out his precious cellphone for a call while being surrounded by a wild mob?
Timing sucks but at least we made it.
{ Currently listening to: } Talunan by Piyesa
{ Currently watching: } myself
{ I Feel: } okay
Written by domz at 05:28 PM.
Comments Included:
domz
203.215.117.48
Comment posted on September 15th, 2005 at 04:40 AM
“actually he’s an a**hole. letting ourselves cross that stupid crowd. that was pretty dumb. hehe…”
chipesterkhan
210.5.121.190
Comment posted on November 17th, 2005 at 09:12 AM
“Chuck is the coolest Asshole ever!!! wehehehe”