Handshake events in the 48 Group are a time-honored tradition as the embodiment of AKB48’s “Idols you can meet” concept. It is an event where the fans can approach and interact with their idols for a few precious seconds theoretically deepening your relationship to her or allows you to discover other “gems” if you feel like it.
AKB48 makes a lot of money from these events, and a huge part of their CD sales is due to the hand-shake tickets included. It is not the only interactive event being offered, but it is at the core of their existence.
MNL48 is expected to follow that tradition, no matter how unusual their path has been these past few months. A few weeks ago, I thought this group was in the doldrums, encumbered by too much tampering and pointless gimmicks. Now, things are not only looking up, they have honored the 48 Group tradition via a very successful handshake event, bringing back hope and optimism for the group’s future.
MNL48’s first handshake event – officially called “Meet your Oshi” – attracted not just the local wota communities, but also its new fans. My original expectation was that there would at least be a crowd of 200, but by 2pm, it was probably twice that amount. Each fan with an app and proper IDs can register and get a ticket to the show (limited to just 300 fans) and 5 handshake tickets each. To get additional tickets, you need to buy official MNL48 merchandise on the same tent as the registration table. I found out (to my surprise) that a lot more fans chose to buy merchandise to get the tickets and it took a long time for the last show ticket to be claimed.
This is important because it shows that the fans are interested in meeting the girls and are willing to pay for more opportunities to do so. This is important because supporting your oshi often means putting your wallet where your mouth is. So far, almost all 48 Group events in the Philippines had been free (the lone exception being Team 8’s first Fan Meeting), but now here’s a “soft” introduction into the wonderful world of idol events where purchasing official stuff can get you those precious seconds with your favorite idols.
The crowd is a mix of wotas, casual fans, prospective wotas, normal people, and the good old “hakot” crowd that added a very Filipino flavor to the occasion. Because I decided not to go to the show and just stay outside where I can bring out my camera and record the proceedings, we were at the back….right in the middle of two groups (or was it three?) of these bloc fans. The wota part of my brain was throbbing in irritation….while the other part was jumping for joy. These are the people MNL48 needs to attract if it were to succeed. Once in, hopefully the wotas can teach these newcomers the ropes, most especially the mixes during concerts.
The show was short, with all 73 girls (the Top48 and the challengers) performing to Aitakatta. There was a short Q&A with Hashtag Luke and three members, but the bulk of the program was the handing out of certificates by Producer Paolo Kurosawa to all candidates. Personally, it would have been better if there was at least a closing song, but given how late the program started, I guess it was a better idea to get going with the handshake event.
https://youtu.be/FevxTMBrNBI
Throughout this audition, people have questioned HHE’s ability to pull off an authentic 48 Group event. I am happy to say that while there are still areas for improvement, this time HHE managed to prove they can. The registration started rough…with reportedly just one person verifying a supporter’s Voter’s ID. But eventually that number became three and now they’re using their phones to verify the QR codes in the IDs. The handshake itself was set up as close as possible to the one in Japan. Obviously, 48 Group handshake events run like a well oiled machine because they’ve more than a decade of experience. But MNL48’s event shows that HHE at least has the core down to pat.
The location though, could be better next time. Preferably a square-shaped venue that’s slightly bigger than the one in TriNoma. Filipinos seem to always have problems with lining up properly, and a bigger venue with proper utilization of steel barriers can encourage people to keep in line. Another issue that cropped up during the handshake event was the people who stayed inside the area even after using up all of their tickets. They clogged the area so much that it was a bit difficult getting around and finding the end of the lines. By the time the second batch of girls were doing handshakes however, the security had things under control and stragglers are quickly directed towards the exit.
Another thing that should be tackled in future events is the use of placards and tarpaulins. These things should be outright banned during events because they block the view of the people behind them. It’s perfectly understandable right now because placards and tarps have been a staple in Philippine events for a long time, but in future events where people would be paying to get in, it shouldn’t work that way.
This event’s marshals are courtesy of wota community 48Fam Philippines. Going above and beyond what was expected of them as fans, they gave their precious time to help HHE with the muscle needed to make this event as orderly as possible. These fans saw HHE needed help, and were willing to give it, even though these people aren’t professional bouncers used to controlling unruly crowds. And there were moments that some did get unruly, going so far as giving one marshal the finger for making him move on because his time was up. Like, dude, don’t be a scum-bag and just buy more tickets so you can come back to the line.
The marshals and event security did their best to keep things under control and enforce the rules that were announced days earlier. There were some lapses when the handshakes began, with people taking pictures even though it wasn’t allowed. I confess I took some photos while I was on the line because my view of Sela was more or less clear and everyone were freely taking pictures. But that’s a no-no and I made sure I followed the rules when I returned for the second batch. I’m showing you the pictures I took just to give you guys an idea of what went on and this was during the first batch only. The marshals eventually took control of the situation, preventing a few stubborn fans from taking more pictures. I do hope in the next event, if 48Fam will still be called for duty, they’ll bring up more of their members as they were seriously outnumbered.
As with any handshake event, the real meat of the matter is your precious few seconds with your beloved idols. Because this was the group’s first interaction with its fans, many fans wanted to go to as many as they want. A few old-timers preferred to concentrate on just their favored few, but I personally wanted to meet as many as I can with the limited amount of tickets that I had. Thankfully, HHE devised a plan so that fans can go to as many girls as they can. There are three idols in each lane, which means you get to meet more than you bargained for. I think it’s a great idea that gives the fans the chance to meet more idols while introducing the lesser known girls to as much people as possible.
I have a total of ten tickets: five from the registration, and five courtesy of Admin Youko. I’m happy because it means I can set aside five tickets per batch (although I really wanted to go to every table). As it happened, I went to one table twice, by impulse as you will see.
1st Batch
Table 6: Abby, Lei, Aly
My main objective for this is Abby. The famous Abby Trinidad who shot all the way from unknown to rank 1 during the first round voting.
Abby is the trademark mestiza beauty that screams “celebrity”. Her looks is typical of the type you meet in high society events. But she has that welcoming smile and sparkling eyes that will draw you in.
Lei and Aly are very welcoming and all smiles, enough to make you forget you just stood in line in the humid venue. Aly is very cute up-close.
Table 7: Sela, Dian, Daryll
As expected, Sela had a blockbuster line, and people were simply staying around her area even after their turn is up. Sela’s handshake was firm, and she looked at you in the eye. This is the girl with a big chance of becoming one of MNL48’s biggest members and it’s easy to see why. If you didn’t get overwhelmed by her beauty, you will be sucked in by her very welcoming aura.
Dian and Daryll weren’t too bad, just that Sela was just too good. Daryll was zoning out during my time with her, which I found cute.
Table 8: Trixie, Shaina, Shaira
My friends recommended Trixie to me and I wanted to see the twins so this is a great deal. Trixie looks pale as a vampire on TV and white as porcelain in person. She also has soft hands (not trying to sound creepy here, just saying it as it is). But the highlight for me were the twins.
The twins were bouncing in delight as if they can’t wait for this event to happen. They actually don’t look that small in real life, but they’re every bit as bouncy as advertised. I had fun in their lane.
Table 7: Sela, Dian, Daryll Part II
I wasn’t planning on repeating, but for some reason, I returned to Sela’s line. This time, she invited me to go to the General Election this Saturday (I’m coming anyway). All three girls seemed happy whenever someone comes back to their line.
Table 4: Nice, Jem, Joyce
This table was a last minute decision for me. I haven’t followed Jem and Joyce but I kinda like Nice. Abby’s lane is full, and I’ve just been to Sela for the second time so Nice it is.
Nice is thinner in person but her smile is the same. Their line isn’t full so they’re happy to see someone come. As far as experiences go, I’d grade it an “average” but I was happy to see Nice in person nonetheless.
With my first five tickets up, I exited the area to wait for the second batch to come in. There are a lot of fan favorites in this one so there was a bigger crowd waiting to get in.
2nd Batch
Table 6: Gabb, Kyla, Hazel
Pictures don’t do justice to Gabb Skribikin. I wasn’t prepared for how beautiful she actually is in person. The right blend of Finnish and Filipino genes created this work of art standing in front of me, beaming as we shook hands. I was so awestruck that I couldn’t even utter a word to Kyla and Hazel, sorry girls.
Table 7: Alice, Ecka, Sha
As expected, Alice was the most professional of the girls. She knew what she had to do, always focused, and intent on giving the best handshake she can. Top-notch experience there.
Ecka is prettier in person. And I like Sha’s smile.
Table 8: Sheki, Erica, Lara
I always wanted to see Sheki ever since I watched her video singing Minnie Riperton’s Loving You. It’s one of my favorite songs and I liked her rendition. She’s actually great. Her aura is very “artista” and not idol-like but that’s just nit-picking it. Now I know why her fans are loyal.
Erica and Lara gave energetic handshakes but it was Lara who stood the most. I wanted to meet this beat-boxing idol since the start of the competition and she didn’t disappoint. I should have asked her to beat-box though, as she seemed willing to do a few bars.
Table 9: Ash, Essel, Jewel
The last time I shook hands with Ashley Cloud Garcia was almost a year ago in Asia Pop Comic Con. I immediately took a liking to this shy girl and her dreams so much that I even used this blog to promote her.
Seeing her in uniform, looking very much the idol I hoped she’d be, through the ups and downs of this audition, let’s just say that the experience was so personal and so special to me that I almost didn’t want to let go, prompting the marshal to move me along gently to Essel. The first and only time a marshal has had to make me move.
Essel and Jewel didn’t disappoint. Although Ash’s handshake was more special to me, the other two did their best to make me feel welcome and they thanked me for coming.
Table 10: Sayaka, Mae, Grace
My final ticket was for Sayaka. She thanked me and also invited me to the General Election. She’s cuter in person, especially with those trinkets on her hair. Mae and Grace thanked me for coming as well. I couldn’t say anything, but I still managed a smile and returned their firm handshakes to show I appreciated their efforts.
There were a few girls I wanted to visit but didn’t get the chance to. Kay was stunningly beautiful in person. I wonder what it is in cameras that makes certain girls look worse than they actually are. I should drop by her lane next time.
I also wanted to drop by the Challengers whose tables are mostly empty especially in the second batch when the wotas choices were there. Despite my disapproval of the system that introduced them, I never blamed these girls who are also just pursuing their dreams. The next handshake event will see only a few of these girls who would become trainees. I felt I missed a huge chance.
General Election is just a few days away, and we can finally move on from this process. The first handshake event is a huge success but HHE must build on it to further refine their methods and events. Most of the girls already knew what to do during handshakes and a surprising number of them even used it to their advantage by attracting more and more to their side. I guess there truly is a light at the end if this very long tunnel.
