From Doubt to Wow: Our First SB19 Concert Experience in Singapore

ABBEY: I would consider myself a casual when it comes to SB19. For the longest time, I thought they were simply another group riding the K-Pop wave, much like how we’ve seen global sensations from Wonder Girls and Super Junior to Blackpink and BTS. But over time, SB19 has truly proven themselves to be more than just a passing trend.

Their music resonates with a wide audience, touching on themes that many listeners can relate to. They’ve also made their mark internationally, climbing the Billboard charts and even winning the Billboard Fan Army Face-Off against Selena Gomez’s fanbase. That’s no small feat!

Last August 24, Singapore had the honor of being one of the stops for SB19’s Simula at Wakas World Tour. The concert was held at The Arena @ Expo, drawing a sold-out crowd of around 7,000 fans. Excitement was in the air hours before the show, with fans arriving as early as 1:30 PM for the 5 PM performance. From the sound check to the fun videoke sing-along sessions, the energy only kept building.

When the lights finally dimmed, the crowd erupted in screams. SB19 opened the show with powerful performances of “Dungka!” and “Gento”, instantly setting the stage on fire. Their fanbase, lovingly called A’TIN, sang and danced along, creating an electric atmosphere.

One of the highlights was when the members stepped down from the stage to interact with the crowd. Fans eagerly gathered around to snap photos, capture videos, and simply get a little closer to their idols. I couldn’t resist joining in myself. It was a rare chance to experience SB19 up close!

From the production setup, complete with world-class sound, lights, and crowd management, to the group’s incredible stage presence, the concert was nothing short of spectacular. SB19 has truly cemented their place as global performers, and their Singapore leg proved that they’re not just representing Filipino talent, but taking it to the world stage.

SB19 live concert at Singapore Expo – full crowd energy

WILL: 

Will: Oh! Darating pala sila dito? Sino nga sila?

Abbey: Sila ‘yung Gento.
Will: Oh okay. Gusto mo manood?
Abbey: No.

That was June 28 when we first noticed the SB19 concert advertisement at Singapore Expo—habang papunta kami sa Iskina Cebu.

Fast forward to August 20, we received an invite from Makan Titos to promote and watch the concert. Honestly? We were not fans. I even found them a bit “corny” kasi I couldn’t understand their songs before. But we still said yes. Why? Because of Bayanihan spirit. Even without free tickets, we were ready to post on social media, message friends one by one, and even assist with ticket inquiries—just to support our fellow kababayan.

Before the concert, I started listening to their songs daily—just so I wouldn’t look like a kill joy. Haha!
• MAPA – I was literally holding back tears while walking to work.
• TIME – hit me in the gut with its truth.
• DAM – nakarelate kami ni Abbey, kasi we’re always looking forward sa next adventure. Yes… Walang Hanggang Hagdan. Haha.

After a few days, I realized—grabe, ang galing nila magsulat. At pati mga tunes? Catchy at hindi paulit-ulit. 

When we arrived at Singapore Expo, shocks! The queue was so long it snaked outside the venue. Imagine thousands of Filipinos in one place—ang saya! This was one of the few concerts I’ve seen that actually sold out. Hindi siya pa-hype lang. It was real.

Inside? The crowd was next level. Fanatics talaga. Hindi pa naguumpisa ang concert, pero ang energy nag-ooverflow na. Para kang nasa K-Pop concert—but this time, it’s P-Pop at its best.

And SB19? Wow. International level performance. Walang dull moment. Every beat, every song—sobrang engaging sila. I felt like I was transported into a world-class arena filled with energy. Napasayaw pa nila kami. Imagine that! 😂

After the show, I couldn’t stop smiling. I thought to myself: This is it. SB19 is the bridge that connects Filipino music to the world. They are proof that we can make waves internationally.

Hindi na ito hype lang. SB19 is real talent. 

SB19 is Filipino pride.

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DLM EVENTIVE SINGAPORE

(W) https://www.ourdlm.com/

(A) 304 Orchard Rd #04- 69 Lucky Plaza

(T) +65 8923 9304

Our Experience Watching The Lord of the Rings Musical in Singapore

ABBEY: When Wilma spotted an online ad for The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale, she immediately asked if we could watch it. Of course, I said yes! And lucky for us, we managed to get discounted tickets in celebration of Singapore’s 60th birthday. It is definitely a great deal compared to paying the full price.

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. I didn’t know if they will cover the whole narrative of the novel or even how long it would be. But to my surprise, the production covered the entire journey from the formation of the Fellowship all the way to Mount Doom. All that epic storytelling was compressed into a three-hour performance which has the same length as one of the trilogy films!

The show began even before the curtain rose. As guests were settling into their seats, Bilbo himself wandered around and casually interacted with the audience. When he passed by, I even greeted him with a “Happy Birthday!”—a nod to the first scene set at Bilbo’s birthday party. Other hobbits joined in the fun, playing little games with the crowd, which made the atmosphere lighthearted and immersive.

Like many fans, I couldn’t help but wonder how the stage production would recreate those legendary scenes we know so well from the movies. But I was blown away! From the intense battle in the Mines of Moria between Gandalf and the Balrog to Gollum’s chilling first appearance and eventual fall into the fiery depths of Mount Doom. It is nothing short of spectacular.

What makes this musical truly impressive is that everything unfolds live on stage, without any green screen magic. Seeing these iconic moments brought to life right in front of your eyes is an experience every Lord of the Rings fan should witness.

$60 ticket experience watching The Lord of the Rings Musical live in Singapore.

WILL: Have you ever wondered what the difference is between an opera, a play, and a musical? According to Google’s AI, the main difference lies in the performance style:
-- Plays: consist entirely of spoken dialogue
-- Operas: are sung-through dramas with no spoken dialogue
-- Musicals: combine spoken dialogue with songs.

That clears up the confusion, right? And speaking of musicals, let’s talk about the latest one that has arrived in Singapore: The Lord of the Rings Musical. When we saw tickets go on sale for just SGD 60, we immediately grabbed the chance to watch the next day. After all, it’s not every day that you get to experience J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary story in a live musical format The show felt like a feast for the senses. It opened with Bilbo Baggins’ 111th birthday, instantly pulling the audience into the world of Middle-earth.

But here’s what really stood out for me: 
1. The actors and musicians came out to the audience even before the show began, greeting us, asking about our day, and encouraging us to join fun mini-games

2. Performers didn’t just stay on stage — they appeared from the aisles and corners, making the whole theatre feel alive

3. The musicians were everywhere, not just in a pit, which was refreshing. Though I couldn’t help but think this was also a creative way to fill up the stage, since the set design felt a little lacking

4. The costume design leaned heavily on Indian-inspired aesthetics, which makes sense since the production was influenced by A.R. Rahman.

If you’re looking for a fast-forward version of The Lord of the Rings story, this musical will give you exactly that. It’s entertaining, interactive, and unique in its presentation.

However, if you’re a die-hard fan expecting every detail and grandeur from the books or movies, you might find it a bit underwhelming. The only real “wow” moments for me were Gollum’s voice and appearance.

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Marina Bay Sands' Shows and Concerts

(W) https://www.marinabaysands.com/entertainment/shows.html

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Scarlett Supermarket Paya Lebar vs Suntec – Where’s the Best Chinese Hot Food in Singapore?

ABBEY:  If you’re craving authentic Chinese flavors in Singapore, Scarlett Supermarket is more than just a place to stock up on groceries. It’s also a spot to enjoy hearty Chinese comfort food. We’ve visited both their Suntec and Westgate outlets, and each trip has been a delicious experience.

One of our favorites has to be the dumplings. They’re generously sized, packed with juicy meat and fragrant chives, and perfect for sharing (though you might want them all to yourself!). Another standout dish is the red mala noodles. At first glance, it looks intimidating with its fiery red broth, but if you can handle spice, it’s absolutely worth it. The soup is tangy, spicy, and loaded with ingredients like mushrooms, lotus root, and tender meat.

We also tried their Chinese sausage, which caught our eye because it’s shaped like a bratwurst. While it looks Western, the flavor is distinctly Chinese; on the sweet side.

Scarlett Supermarket Paya Lebar vs Suntec
Where’s the Best Chinese Hot Food in Singapore?

WILL: Is this a sign? Haha! Paparinig ako kay Abbey… baka naman China trip na next destination namin? 😍
So, what’s the relation of Scarlett and China?
Scarlett Supermarket in Singapore is a well-known grocery store that mainly sells Chinese products—from snacks, sauces, frozen goods, to everyday essentials. Prices are affordable, quality is ok, but for me, the real highlight is not just the supermarket… it’s their hot food section!

If you’re wondering where to eat affordable Chinese food in Singapore, Scarlett should be on your list. We recently visited two branches: Scarlett Supermarket Paya Lebar and Scarlett Supermarket Suntec City, and here’s my quick comparison:
     >Suntec Branch – More serene and quiet, but with fewer tables. Perfect if you want a calm spot to enjoy your meal.

     >Paya Lebar Branch – Spacious, wide variety of dishes, and they even offer free noodle or rice refill! Downside: not every dish hit my taste expectations, but with so many choices, you’ll never run out of new things to try.

Now, my must-try dishes in Suntec Branch:
     •Signature Hot and Sour Noodles – Suntec branch nailed this one! The flavors brought me back to my first visit in Qingdao, China. Pure nostalgia!
     •Mala Dumplings – Spicy, savory, and absolutely drool-worthy. A total winner!

Whether you go to Scarlett Supermarket Suntec or Scarlett Supermarket Paya Lebar, you’ll enjoy exploring both their grocery aisles and hot food counter. It’s a mix of affordable Chinese groceries and delicious meals—authentic, budget-friendly, and oh-so-satisfying!

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思家客Scarlett Supermarket Singapore

(W) https://www.scarlettsupermarket.com.sg/