MNL48 'Aitakatta-Gustong Makita' Mall Tour a Success!

Philippine J-pop idol group MNL48 began their month of November with a bang as they held a successful two-day mall tour spanning four locations and utilizing all teams. The locations are Vista Mall Taguig, Starmall Alabang, Starmall EDSA Shaw, and Lucky Chinatown.

It was a special moment for the members, some of whom went to the auditions held in either of the two Starmall locations. It was also the first time the girls performed as part of their respective teams as well as the first time for most members to actually perform in front of an audience (excluding their Showtime and ASAP performances) since the First Fan Meet, making this two-day tour a milestone for the group.

Packed with excited fans and new supporters, the events started with a trivia game about the idol group where MNL48 merchandise such as, mugs, light sticks, shirts, and many more were given away as prizes.

For Day One (Nov. 3), while MNL48 Team M-II members Sheki, Alice, Sayaka, Faith, Erica, Nice, Jan, Dana, Essel, Sha, Shaira, Necca, Cess, Andi, Rans, and Cassey are warming up the stage at Starmall Alabang, Team N-IV members Abby, Ella, Jem, Lara, Alyssa, Joyce, Belle, Aly, Daryll, Jaydee, Ruth, Brei, Hazel, Ecka, Madie, and Coleen also sang their chart-topping songs Aitakatta – Gustong Makita, Umiindak na Saya, and ended with Talulot ng Sakura at VistaMall Taguig. I went to see M-II in Starmall Alabang, which was closest to where I live, and I saw that there was already a crowd coming in to watch the show and a huge part of it were not the fans, most of whom managed to enter the venue after buying a CD.

Despite not being able to come inside, I enjoyed the event very much and managed to catch the whole performance on video. Of special note is the presence of the fans whose chants really pumped me up even though I was in a little corner some three to four meters away. The girls also sold merchandise after the event, something the fans took advantage of to get closer to their idols.

MNL48 proudly to shared how two of their songs Aitakatta – Gustong Makita, Talulot ng Sakura, and the Himig Handog 2018 entry, Dalawang Pag-ibig Niya, where MNL48 is one of the translators, have reached as one of the Top OPM Songs in Pop Charts PH.

“Sana po abangan niyo po lahat ng mga projects namin,” said Center Girl Sheki thanking their fans for all the continuous support that their group has been receiving, especially to those who purchased and enjoy the debut album they released.

Day Two (Nov. 4) is a whole different beast. This time, Team M-II performed in Lucky Chinatown, while wota-favorite Team L went to Starmall EDSA Shaw. Fans at Lucky China Town Mall were very energetic as they played the game “Guess your Oshi” where they had to guess who’s the member speaking on the backstage. That day’s event officially started with a sing and dance challenge of the group’s songs Aitakatta – Gustong Makita and Umiindak na Saya.

Both performances were solid, and there were many fans who went to the event – especially for Team L, which featured the most wota-favorite members out of all the teams. Like in Day One, MNL48 expressed their gratitude to the fans for supporting Aitakatta – Gustong Makita and Talulot ng Sakura to the top of the OPM Songs in Pop Charts PH.

“Kamusta po kayong lahat? I know all of you are wondering what is MNL48. MNL48 is one of the official sister groups of AKB48, the biggest and highest selling idol group in Japan. We’re here to inspire and make people happy and of course to promote good characteristics hindi lang po sa mga kabataan kundi sainyo pong lahat.” said MNL48 Team L member Sela as she greeted all their new supporters who joined them at their mall tour. Quincy also added “Sana po kahit hindi niyo pa kami nakikilala maging part po kayo ng MNLoves.”

Aside from sharing their ongoing activities, Tin also hopes that MNL48 will be known nationwide so that they can inspire people as an Idol. “Tulungan niyo po kaming maipakilala ang MNL48 sa buong Pilipinas” Tin narrated.

After their performances, MNL48 Teams personally sold their CD album to their supporters with free Handshake event ticket along with other merchandise. With this, they are an astounding success as the album managed to sell out on both locations: a potent reminder of the lengths a wota will go for their idols. It was even said that Team L managed to sell their copies in less than 10 minutes.

During the two-day tour, it was announced that the ‘Aitakatta-Gustong Makita’ Handshake Event will take place on November 18, with more details like the venue, will follow in the coming days. Each Album includes a handshake ticket you can use to interact with your oshimen.