It was a big week for MNL48 as pre-orders for physical copies of their first single went live, they had their first radio show guesting, and the digital versions of the single became available for purchase.
After being delayed for one month, MNL48’s debut single “Aitakatta-Gustong Makita” is finally going to see the light of the day. Pre-orders for physical copies became live last Monday, September 24, 2018. The pre-order period went for a whole week and shipping of the single itself will start on the 1st week of October.
According to the news release on the MNL48 app, pre-orders will be prioritied before the album’s offcial release online and in record stores. In other words, if all things go well, those who pre-ordered will receive their copies earlier than everyone else.
The CDs will include a ticket for MNL48’s handshake event. The news release read like the pre-ordered edition will be the one that will include the tickets, but handshake tickets are a normal part of AKB48 CDs so I’m not sure why this fact was highlighted for pre-orders only, but I guess we’ll find out soon.
We used to grumble a lot about the group not getting anything by way of promotion. But last week, the group dropped by radio station MOR101.9 For Life. The group consisted of Abby, Sela, Alice, Ash, Faith and Sayaka went to promote the first single. It was a short guesting, but they played ‘Aitakatta’ so at least the single got some much-needed airtime.
The girls were also chosen to interpret the song “Dalawang Pag-Ibig Niya” for Himig Handog 2018, alongside Krystal Brimner and Sheena Belarmino. I think this is a good opportunity for the girls to show their singing ability. The group has some members with really good singing ability that might not be showcased by the type of songs they will have.
I’m starting to feel that not all of the group will be able to take part in this song, but the group has a lot of really good singers starting from current center Sheki. At least there is an avenue where the girls can showcase their talents.
Last Friday, the video was finally broadcast in MYX. Well, it’s still the same over-filtered video that was uploaded in You Tube. I must confess that I was kind of disappointed since I thought they will show a much clearer video for MYX. Some people now question if I really did see a much clearer version back during the Press Launch. I knew what I saw, but I guess it doesn’t matter. But I should probably stop trying to engage the folks in online forums with eye-witness stuff because they will always ask for proof or whatever. For fans disappointed at something, the mere fact that you were there is no longer enough.
The digital release of ‘Aitakatta-Gustong Makita’ happened on September 28, 2018 midnight. I even downloaded Spotify so that I would be able to stream the album. It was an emotional moment for me especially when I remembered everything that has happened during the audition. All the excitement, the drama, the disappointment, the hope, everthing flashed by so fast that I couldn’t stop a tear or two from falling.
The fans have been through a lot, but the girls went through more. And so I guess ranking first on iTunes after a day is a fitting cap to everything they have done to this point.
HHE also added a new merchandise for the fans to buy. MNL48 Team stickers are now available. While I am definitely going to go for Team L, looks like I would have to consider getting the others too. Hey, what can I say? I love every one of them.
I also managed to buy an Ash photo-card last Saturday. It’s pricey, but at least I have it. I also bought a Ruth and a Dana photo-card. Next, I would have to buy an album for them, because my collection is getting big.
With the physical CDs being shipped this coming week, look for me to make a review. Hopefully I can contain my fandom long enough to make a pretty fair assessment of this important part of MNL48 history. Something tells me that I won’t but we’ll see how it goes.
