Up Close with Bruno Mars--Not!

I was reminded again that my Kiddos are not babies anymore. Last Thursday, the three of them went alone to Cebu to watch Bruno Mars in concert. Of course they were fetched at the Mactan International Airport by their Dad, but they were on their own when they checked in at the Waterfront Hotel where the concert was held (The Hubby was busy with a convention on the same date).

For those of you who live under a rock (hey, no offense!), Bruno Mars is the next biggest thing to Filipinos’ pride after Lea Salonga and Charice. Born as Pete Gene Hernandez, he is an American-born singer-writer with a Filipino descent. He adopted his stage name from the nickname his father gave him (his fave wrestler was Bruno Sammartino), adding "Mars" at the end because "I felt like I didn't have [any] pizzazz, and a lot of girls say I’m out of this world, so I was like I guess I'm from Mars." He has topped the charts with hits like ‘Billionaire’, Nothin’ On You’, ‘Just the Way You Are’, and ‘Grenade’. According to Jon Caramanica of the New York Times, Mars is "one of the most versatile and accessible singers in pop.”

The kids were ecstatic, especially the Daughter. Not only was it their first time to stay in a hotel alone, it was also their first time to see a concert. So the worrywart Hubby was a little anxious about their safety in a crowded setting, but they were able to pull it through, thank God.

 Bruno Mars! Bruno Mars!

And my daughter fell in love for the first time...

(Extra story: The day before the concert, the Hubby was with the same flight as him from Manila to Cebu. He said Bruno looked like your average man you meet on the street. Too ordinary, in fact, that he said Mars looked like a trisikad driver (Sobra ka naman, Dad!), if not for the burly body guards he was with at the airport. But I think that's precisely where his charm lies. His talent is what has taken him to the top. No fancy clothes. No long, blonde bangs. No extraordinary good looks. Just pure musical genius and, okay, a fedora hat.)

I wish I had been with the Kiddos. Everytime I see these three having fun together, my heart soars to the highest heavens. But I guess I also have to let them have fun alone. Oh well, maybe next time, when the ‘Air Supply’ visits Bacolod again? Whadyasay, kids? (Kiddos in chorus: "Eeeewww, Mom!!!")