TAYLOR SWIFT (Photo by Teresa G. Martinez)

MANILA, Philippines - Taylor Swift expectedly swept fans off their feet with her electrifying performance at the Araneta Coliseum last Saturday night (Feb. 19). I’ve never seen such adulation showered on a singer by young Filipino fans. And if they were awed by their goddess-like idol who stood before them in utter self-confidence and regal poise, Taylor was equally awed by the adoring crowd who wildly cheered, applauded and shrieked to every word she uttered, to every song she sang, and to every wiggle of her dainty crown of golden curls. And especially when Taylor Swift spoke in Tagalog.

Most of the songs she performed were from her latest album “Speak Now,” which comes on the heels of her multi-Grammy winning album “Fearless” released three years ago. All the songs (10 of them) in “Speak Now” are all compositions of the singer, who said she had spent all her musical life writing songs about love and heartaches. That’s it, if her songs are a big hit with the young, it’s because they all can relate to them.

I didn’t realize how big a singing superstar Taylor Swift was until my grandchildren started pestering me about tickets to her concert. That was October or November yet last year. But then when December came and I was told tickets were sold out and there was very little chance I could get them tickets, I told them of the bad news. They were devastated, but still they wouldn’t lose hope. Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions, promoter of the Taylor Swift concert in the country, said, “I’ll do my best but don’t keep your hopes high. Wala na talagang tickets available.”

My granddaughters kept their fingers crossed though. Finally, two days before the concert, Renen said he was giving me four production passes, and Araneta had two Lower Box tickets for me. My grandchildren were jubilant and they couldn’t thank me enough. As early as 4 p.m., we were already at the vicinity, inching our way through the long and winding queues of ticket buyers (they were availing of the general admission tickets made available starting at 2 p.m. that day). All throughout the concert, they continuously cheered their idol, and the level of their energy never diminished like all the rest of the young fans at the Big Dome that night. I’ve never seen them so happy. Thank you, Renen!

On our way home, I delighted in listening to my granddaughters’ conversations. Agatha, who is the oldest at 12, raved about how talented and pretty Taylor Swift was, Mariella and Christine were talking about the boyfriends Taylor has had – John Mayer, Joe Jonas, Taylor Lautner and others. They wondered how Taylor’s mom had reacted to her accumulating too many boyfriends in her young life. But Juliana, 8, said “mabuti nga yon kasi madami siyang experience, nakakasulat siya ng maraming kanta.”

Indeed, Taylor Swift’s songs were inspired by her past relationships. “Back To December” was about Taylor Lautner; and “Dear John” was for John Meyer. All her songs in fact were about all her loves and heartaches.

The fans would have wanted Taylor to do more songs, but then when she said good night in a dramatic falling down in eagle-spread arms, that was it – goodbye Manila! No encores. For she had sung enough.

By the way, “Speak Now,” released by MCA, is available at leading record stores in the country.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Feb. 23 go to Estanislao Alinea, Lita Belisano, James Leyretana, Aisa de Ocampo Natividad, Norma M. Morante, Tessie Reyes, Armi Jarin, Carlito Domingo, and Duriza Belen of Hawaii… Happy wedding anniversary to Joey and Loury Lina…