Here I go promising I would write down how I met one of my heroes and I never did. I had scribblings of it scattered in places I can’t find anymore, but I’m glad I tucked memories of that night in a corner of my aorta.
October 26, 2010 — I wrote about Three People I want to meet and exactly a year later, I met one of them: Adam Young a.k.a. Owl City
October 26, 2011—I was outside the venue for Owl City’s Manila stop of All Things Bright and Beautiful Tour, lining up with a friend and texting other friends to hurry. It’s going to be a standing room for everyone so coming in way early equates to getting a good spot. In my bag was a card for Adam that my office mates and I made, which I promised to find a way to give. I had no idea how I can do it but I have to try and exhaust all possible ways I could find.
The Owl City Philippines fan base had some contests for Meet & Greet and Autograph Signing passes but I wasn’t familiar with the details and I was this shy girl afraid to ask anyone. Time is running short and I haven’t figured out yet how I could personally give the card to Adam. Plucking up some tenacity, I went, no, I ran around and asked how to win an Autograph Signing pass. The first 100 to buy All Things Bright and Beautiful cd in the venue gets a pass. It didn’t really excite me to buy another cd when I already have one and besides even if I wanted to I didn’t have enough money with me. I went back to my spot in the queue and told my friend that I can’t win a pass. I decided that I will just look for either Grace or Colwin, Owl City fan club heads, and ask them to hand my card to Adam. My friend handed me a bill and told me to go and buy another cd. The cd will be an advance birthday gift! If I was a rocket, I would have shot off in exuberance!
Twilight was setting in and soon it will be night over the city. I ran to the entrance of the venue and bouncingly asked a bouncer where the organizers are selling ATBAB cds. He was so kind and quickly led me to the anteroom entrance. I was about to step in when another bouncer blocked me. Bouncers’ conversation ensued.
Anteroom Bouncer: Miss, sorry di na pwede. Naka-100 na po tayo. (Sorry miss, you can’t come in anymore, we already have 100)
Me: Ha? Di na ba talaga pwede kuya? (I really can’t come in anymore?)
Anteroom Bouncer: Sana binilisan nyo, naunahan lang kayo ng konti ng pang-100 eh. (You should have come quicker, the 100th just came in a few moments before you)
My Bouncer: Ano ba naman yan pare, dinala ko pa sya dito tapos di mo papapasukin? (Come on, I brought her all the way here and you won’t let her in?)
Anteroom Bouncer: Pare, di na nga pwede. 100 na eh. (Bro, she can’t come in anymore. We already have 100)
My bouncer turned to me and apologized for raising my hope and bringing me all the way there. He looked as if he shared my disappointment in being denied entry. I thanked him and told him how much I appreciated his kindness even if I didn’t get in. Then I saw Grace as I turned towards my line. I told her of my plight and asked if she could give my card to Adam. She apologized that I can’t get in and took my card assuring it will reach Adam. I couldn’t be more glad!
A few more rays of light remained across the sky as I stood in peace waiting for the time we’ll be let in. Just then, ahead of the line I saw Grace and Colwin, surrounded by some queueing concert-goers. What commotion is this? I should definitely see what it’s all about. I nosed around the first group and followed Grace and Colwin. They were asking random Owl City trivia questions and whoever answers first, wins a Meet and Greet pass!
They went to the end of the line to cast their next question. “What’s the name of Adam Young’s mother?” Everyone was silent. I was silent. Google, where are you in times like this? I thought. “Nobody knows?!” challenged Grace and Colwin. “Joan Young?” came from an unsure voice. “Who answered?” Grace and Colwin craned their necks around looking for the person who answered. A girl stepped forward and repeated her answer, “Joan Young?”
“Congratulations! You win a Meet and Greet pass!” Grace and Colwin awarded her with the pass and hung it on her neck. “You guys don’t know Adam Young’s mother’s name?” they said in disbelief as they walked away. I followed them as they went towards another section of the line, “For the last Meet and Greet pass, are you ready guys?” Colwin asked. “YES!” We shouted.
“Give me the exact date of Owl City’s first concert in the Philippines!”
“MARCH 14, 2010!” A number of voices blurted out almost at the same time, including mine. March 14, 2010, how could I forget it when I was there too?
“Who answered first?” Colwin asked Grace. Everyone looked at each other. It was so fast. Adrenaline rush made me blurt out my answer in less than a second. “She answered first.” Grace said, pointing at me. My ears tried to understand what she said as they congratulated me for winning a Meet and Greet pass. “Give your card to Adam in person,” Grace said as she handed me back my card. I was almost to tears and was bouncing on my feet when I told my friend in line that I have to go ahead into the venue because I won a Meet and Greet pass. I headed to the anteroom with smiles and grins refusing to leave my face. I truly am going to meet Adam.
I joined the last person in the Meet and Greet line and learned that her name is Meia. She was the one who answered “Joan Young.” I asked her how on earth she knew Adam’s mother’s name. She said that her name is credited in ATBAB cd insert. I couldn’t really remember seeing it in the cd insert but I found out later that “Joan Young” was indeed there though there wasn’t any attribute of her being Adam’s mother. So there I thought Joan Young was his cousin and that it’s such a youthful name for a mother. But then again Joan Young was once young too.
Anyway, Meet and Greet time is almost near and one of the organizers oriented us on how it will go about. Only five people at a time can enter and greet Adam quick. Personal cameras are not allowed because an official photographer will be provided to take our pictures with him. And so Meet and Greet began.
Meia and I jumped around in sudden outbursts of excitement in a Ring-Around-A-Rosy manner to celebrate our opportunity to meet Adam. While waiting, I also thought deeply of what I could tell Adam in a very short and quick meeting. He is not only Owl City. First and foremost, he is my brother in Christ and that’s a more important thing than his artistry. As Meia and I were nearing the enclosed space for Meet and Greet, we saw Adam having his picture taken with the batch ahead of us.
“NEXT 5!” an organizer announced.
Meia and I were the first two to enter. In front of the concert organizer’s backdrop, Adam stood tall wearing a shy and excited smile with eyes shining brightly. I held out my card for him like a little girl showing her artwork to her parents.
“Oh, thank you!” he gushed. “Adam, may the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ continue to abound in you.” I said. His smile grew wider and a soft glee was present in his eyes. “Thank you. I appreciate it very much,” then he turned to others in our batch and greeted them. Our picture was taken and off we went to make way for the next batch.
And so, that’s the tale of how I met one of my heroes. The rest of the night went with sheer passion and sincerity as Adam and his band performed. It was a quick meeting but that moment is going to be treasured for the rest of my life.
