@Grecy095 31 July 2021 more from that month

The Day I Met Ben Adams of A1, A1 and Otown

Who is A1? A1 is one of the best British Boyband during the 90s. It consist of four members, Mark, Paul, Christian and Ben. They popularised the songs, Like a Rose, Ready or Not, Walking in the Rain, One More Chance and Take on me. They were famous in the late 90s, together with Westlife, Nsync, Backstreet boys and Code Red. Actually, there are lots of Boybands in the late 90s but I love this group more for mostly their songs was composed by Ben Adams, my favorite member. Fast forward to 2019, July. I remember Ben Adams when the Song Walking In the Rain played at SM Megamall. I have this kind of instinct that while I am reminiscin the face of Ben Adams, my mind is telling me that I will get to see him again. I have this "kilig" and I don't know why. I don't remember the Year, but I got to see them performed in Eat Bulaga during their popularity. They even performed live in a beauty pageant. I am fond of Ben Adams because he is witty and talkative. Never a dull moment for this guy. Because I missed him, I stalk him at Instagram. He got old already. There are laugh lines in his face but still he got this boyband feel for me. Then and there, I met a group called A1 Philippines, and I became a member. It happened so fast so my instinct is right, I will get to know him. I followed A1 official on Instagram and I started to be active posting about them. For what I feel, I volunteered myself to be one of the social media manager because I just like it. When they are promoting something, I promote it too on my social media. By the end of August, my instinct is right. A1 will be having a concert here in Manila, together with the American Boyband Otown.

This is one of my promotion. Because of that concert, my group prepared everything from the promotion, to hotels, to contest and everyone from the group active in participating. November, I belong to the group that will welcome A1 from the airport. November 8 to be exact, Friday, we met Christian at Naia.

He is Christian Ingebrigsten, and he is very kind and welcoming. His mobile phone is prepared already to record his fans that he will be seeing at the airport. He posted us on his Instagram story afterwards. Unfortunately, we failed to welcome Ben, Mark and Paul because they arrive separately. I remember while we are welcoming Christian, Ben and the gang arrived in different terminal. November 9, the day of the Concert and the best day of my life! I arrived at the hotel by 10 to be exact and our group admin was there waiting for us. They told us that A1 are eating breakfast. I was so excited but I cannot find Ben. I waited a little before I leave my things in our hotel room, I saw Ben. I approached him in the dining area of the hotel and stopped when he noticed me "hey yah, sweetie" Ben said I was not moving but I know I said Hi Ben with waving hands and he said, "come on". He saw my phone and he is very nice to tell me to take a picture. Because he was tall, and my hand is shaking I told "I can't do this" with a very shy face, he said "me" I handed him my phone and he snap it.

He said "see yah" I said thanks and he even said "see you at the concert". I was in deep shock (grabe talaga in deep shock), I walk slowly, getting out of the dining area because I heard his British accent, live!!! I became red I know and was holding my phone to my heart because he hold it!!! While I am getting back my sanity, I saw Jacob and Dan in the lobby, they were waiting for someone, Jacob and Dan are members of Otown. They popularised the songs, Liquid Deams, We Fit Together, All or Nothing and the Painter. Jacob met my eyes and I said hello. They have bodyguards so you cannot easily go near them, unlike A1. Dan saw me waiting so gave me a signal to come. I ask for a photo. He ask for my phone and take a shot.

He was very tall to so he embraced me and get lowered to get our angle. He even hugged me after, I was not asking for it. Because of that, I was shock again. I am not sure if the word "shock" is applicable. Then Jacob waited for us, get my phone, lol, and snap a picture, just followed whatever they do.

This is Jacob, another member of Otown and he is very nice, kind and all the good things on earth, he has it. I remember him telling me "it is our first time here and the people are very warm to us, you guys are very sweet, blah blah blah, are you watching the concert?" I said yes, and he called Erik, one of the member and he run to us.

Erik is shy. He just said Hi and I took this photo. The first shot was blurred and he said" it was blurred "with a smile. I felt shy too because he was so shy. I asked him if we can do it again and I remember clearly what he said" yes sweetie I want it to be perfect", after the picture taken they told me to tag them on Instagram so I did it right away. Imagine all the scenario and I was with my big bags, and jacket and some things with me but still manage to smile while accepting all the weight of my things lol. While I was walking towards elevator, I saw Mark Read talking to the fans. Fans are gathered around him and he was very nice to accommodate them all, including me!

Because I was small, he lowered his body to take this picture. He said see you around and still talking to his fans. I went straight to my room after and wonder about Paul of A1. After Ben Adams, my favorite is Paul. Just a little trivia, Paul Marrazi left the band in year 2002. He came back with A1, I think beginning of 2018. Their concert last 2018 here in the Philippines, was there very first performance with Paul. I left my things at the hotel. Because I am afraid to use of elevator, I used stairs to go down and meet my group. As I was walking, 3rd floor to be exact, someone was talking and I turn around to see, it's Paul!!!! Shock for the third time I cannot move. Good thing he went near me and greet me. I asked for a picture and he told me that he is peespiring from walking because he was strolling in the hotel. I think he mentioned he is looking for a gym.

He said, "see you around" and we separate, I think he is going up and I'm going down. I was laughing because he was still talking loud while walking. I went to our group and share my pictures. They were laughing at me because I able to have photos mostly of the members of the boyband. We went straight to the venue after and it is at MOA Arena.

Before the concert we got the chance to have a quick Meet and Greet. I am the one in yellow. We are the first five fans who get to meet A1 and Otown. I quickly go to Ben and he hugged and kissed me on the cheek, then this picture. Whole entering Moa Arena, imagine me walking slowly and still flying in heaven, still can't believed that Ben Adams kissed me. ❤️❤️❤️ I will share the concert experience on my next post. Going to collate the pictures first. See you on part 2!!

Thanks guys for reading!!