Filipino actor and singer Piolo Pascual will play his first concert in Abu Dhabi on November 14 at Les Etoiles, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche. The one-night show, titled Paano ba ang Magmahal? (How does one love?), starts at 7pm. Les Etoiles sits inside the Sofitel on the capital’s Corniche waterfront, a short distance from several of the landmarks fans hope he will visit.
Pascual, billed as the Philippines’ Ultimate Heartthrob and known to fans as Papa P, has never before appeared in the UAE capital. The concert is being staged by Majore LiveX and Gather & Co. and is aimed at the UAE’s Filipino community, including overseas Filipino workers. Organisers say the evening will look back over his career, covering his music as well as his work on screen, and are promoting it around kilig, the Filipino word for the fluttering, romantic excitement fans feel for a screen idol.
Tickets come in three tiers. Silver seats cost Dh99 and Gold seats Dh249, while VIP tickets at Dh399 include a meet-and-greet with the star. All Gold and VIP buyers can also enter a Win-a-Date with Piolo contest. Sales will run through the official Ticket Bloc website and are expected to open soon, with fans able to register on the platform in advance.
Fans in the UAE told Gulf News they have waited a long time for the visit. Arlene Lux, a business administrator, said: “I’ve always wanted to see Papa P perform live.” Michelle Fantilanan, a UAE-based member of the Solid Friends of Piolo fan club, called the show a special occasion and said fans were keen to welcome him to their home away from home. Imdexstar Yu, a design professional, hopes Pascual will see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Corniche and the city’s hospitality, while social media influencer Dyna Pijo said she hoped he would enjoy the views, local food and seaside sunsets.
Interest is not limited to Filipino fans. Haytame Zaoui, a Moroccan-born sales manager, said yearly trips to the Philippines had deepened his attachment to Filipino culture, and he hopes Pascual will have time to visit Louvre Abu Dhabi and Yas Island. With an intimate hotel ballroom as the venue rather than an arena, and a VIP tier built around meeting the star, organisers have pitched the night at fans who want to be close to the stage.
