The first and second factors were key in turning "Cascades Live In Manila" and "Memories of Love (featuring Kevynn Lettau, Joe Pizzulo and Lou Pardini)" into veritable crowd drawers. Despite the absence of new hit songs from these artists, fans (now society’s movers and shakers) who grew up to their music were in the position to buy even exorbitantly priced tickets, thus, these shows resounding successes.

The third factor explains largely why Ashanti’s and Ja Rule’s concerts enjoyed only so-so patronage. Though each artist has also racked up respectable trove of hit songs, the R&B/hiphop and rap genres they are into are better experienced on record than live since singing-along to these require special skills (glib tongue for rap, vocal acrobatics for R&B). Also, some of the themes of their hit songs as sex and life in the ghetto are still taboo and alien to most Filipinos.

Among shows featuring local artists, Martin Nievera’s concert with jazz superstar Patti Austin at the Big Dome last January go neck-and-neck with the bar set by Gary Valenciano’s "Symphony of the Heart" held at the same venue in September. The success of the Concert King’s concert with Patti is significant as the former is positioned as ‘equal’ to the international diva. It was no back-to-back show. Gary’s "Symphony," on the other hand, was the first time Mr. Pure Energy has had a complete show backed up by an entire orchestra with no less than Mr. Ryan Cayabyab holding the baton.

Avril Lavigne’s "Bonez Tour" benefitted largely from timing. Held at summer’s onset, kids everywhere needed to go somewhere. And since the Punk Princess’ latest album was then riding high on hit single "Happy Ending," why not to "Bonez Tour" at The Fort? It didn’t hurt that Simple Plan (behind hit songs "Perfect" and "Just A Kid") was fronting for her.

It’s the same timing that became the undoing of Michael Bublé’s "It’s Time" concert in Manila. Held at a Wednesday (Oct. 12), people who had school or work the following day had second thoughts in watching the show. Besides, it was in-between paydays so people must’ve opted to just buy er...Starbucks? The Big Dome was only half full. Still, "It’s Time" was great show marked by worldclass showmanship from the man known to give standards hip twists.

Sarah Geronimo’s "The Other Side" concert Araneta ushered in a new Concert Queen. Performing to standingroom-only capacity, even guest superstar Regine Velasquez had to say "Sarah is the new Pop Queen." Considering that her latest album "Sweet Sixteen" was not a big a hit as its predecessors, the status Sarah enjoys in the live performance front proves her appeal is that of quasisuperstar; that is, unreliant on hit songs.

Just like Regine. Asia’s Songbird’s "Reflections" series at the Aliw Theater came at critical point in her career. In the midst of divas-in-waiting and with no original hit song in sight, "Reflection" was affirmation of Regine’s stranglehold on public fancy. Packed to the rafters everytime, the show had a winning formula in tracing Regine’s beginnings via her musical heroines.

The following are look-back on these high profile concerts from selective memory:

"The Cascades — Encore" (Sept. 9, Araneta Coliseum)

With at least two original members in the lineup (Gab Lapano and Chuck Crews), the group behind the hit songs "Shy Girl," "Rhythm of the Rain" and "Punch and Judy" performed for the first time two new songs written specifically for Filipinos: "My Manila" and "Warm Manila Nights." Will these become as renowned as "New York, New York" or "I Left My Heart In San Francisco?" Maybe not. Ok, no.

Full of lapses is how some people describe this show. Featuring dancers, DJs and pyrotechnics, it’s obvious that the first lady of Murda Inc. Records needed the gimmicks to shift attention away from so-so singing prowess. Interesting. But "Foolish."

Big flop. The rapper with the gruffy voice who has worked with big superstars J.Lo, R Kelly and Ashanti and has filled up bigger venues abroad must still be in shock to this day. Ja Rule is said to stand for Jeffrey Atkins Represents Unconditional Love Exists. But in Manila, and to quote The Black Eyed Peas, er, Where is the love?

He sang without a microphone, grabbed his crotch while doing a Michael Jackson tune in falsetto, kissed lola right smack in the lips while running like decapitated chicken up and down Araneta sections and... well, that should’ve been enough. But no, Buble had to sing those heartwarming standards as "You Don’t Own Me" and "That’s All" so perfectly, too, as to make mere mortals cry. If there’s sudden boom in baby birth come July 12 in 2006, it’s Buble DOH should blame.

"Wow, it’s hot in here," the punk princess remarked. Then the punk princess screamed out lyrics to the tune of "Complicated," "SkrBoi," "I’m with You" and her other hit songs while running left to right onstage. For about an hour. Then, the end. Wow, punk princess rocks.

Kevyn sang "Sunlight" and then some. Lou did "What Might Have Been" and then some. Joe essayed "Never Gonna Let You Go" and then some. It was stress-free, summer night of middle-of-the-road songs you’d hear on elevators as long as up means up and down means down. The sum of all "some"’s was enough.

"Umagang Kay Ganda" sung flawlessly in Filipino by both English-speaking Martin and Patti as encore was impressive. The twinkle of lights from mobile phones held up during a one-minute silence asked by Martin in memory of last year’s tsunami tragedy near conclusion of the show was moving. Moving and impressive are good adjectives to begin with.

Considered as her first real solo concert as it only featured one Chamipion-colleague (Mark Bautista) as guest, Sarah did Michael Jackson, Gwen Stefani, Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston to a soldout venue. Sarah is only 16 years old. We’ll expect more from her. As we expect Araneta to turn on the aircondition next time...

If you ever wondered why Regine had not been singing songs in "Pinoy Pop Superstar" during the run of "Reflections," then you obviously have not watched the show. Featuring almost all-new repertoire using trademark birit vocals, the vocal performance was death-defying even as the repertoire, enlightening. "Reflections" showed the musical evolution of the country’s premiere diva with her fans having no second thoughts in selling-out all the dates to the series.

A dream concert for he who has always been known for perfection must be really something. His first solo concert backed by a full orchestra with Ryan Cayabyab as musical director and conductor no less, Gary has topped past concerts with this one. It’s the kind of success that renders encores and repeats anti-climactic. So none were given. Not that one was needed.