Katy Perry on Pinoys: ‘[They’re] lovely… wild!’ (Photo by JUDE L. BAUTISTA)

"One of the Boys” singer Katy Perry declared “I’m over boys.” When asked how come, she told the Filipino media at Conways Bar at the Makati Shangri-La, “Because I’m a fan of being a girl. But if a guy wants to challenge me, sure and I will [definitely] win.”

Last night was a very memorable night for local fans as Katy finally came over the country to rock for relief. Her initial concert, “Katy Perry Live in Manila” was scheduled last Oct. 3. But due to the typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, it was postponed to a later date – making it bigger and more relevant. “Katy Perry Rocks for Relief,” held at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds last night, was a fundraising concert for the benefit of the victims of the recent typhoons.

At the press conference held last Friday, Katy Perry led the awarding of the net proceeds of the concert amounting P1,000,000 to the Philippine National Red Cross, the concert’s sole beneficiary.

Together with Katy are our very own Jed Madela, American Band MAE, and Journey’s Arnel Pineda and Neal Shcon.

At the same event, Katy’s co-performers shared their tragic experiences. For MAE, the group’s equipment was stolen in certain tours. They related, “For us to be here now, [we saw] many people’s tremendous loss. It is very humbling for us to support people that life goes on. Music is a bridge that brings people together that’s why we are here. It’s an honor for us.”

For Neal Schon, “We are here to rebuild things that can be rebuild. We are proud and humbled to be here. Hopefully, we’ll raise enough money for everybody. I have so many experiences with Arnel so far and I’m so glad to be here again,” he expressed. Arnel was not present during the presscon due to an emergency.

Jed Madela, who is also one of the victims of Ondoy added, “This [concert] is my own little way to help those who lost more than me.”

All these world-renowned artists came to perform for free. Schon jested, “[we are paid with] just a peanut butter sandwich.”

A change in perspective

Katy shared her experience landing for the first time in the country – and that she experienced a change in perspective seeing our people.

“It’s wonderful. When I got off the plane, I thought I’ll just go straight in my hotel and rehearse. But they gave me the opportunity to give some relief, about an hour, we were outside to help people that were affected. Seeing that, I knew where you guys are coming from. I’m glad that I can help out. I love people no matter who they are,” she shared.

As a pop singer, she related that her music is just a reflection of a 25-year-old lady who has gone through relationships, leaving home for the first time, having no rules and limits. She said, “My music is honest. It has so many dimensions. What’s important for me is to connect with people. I’m sassy, I’m pop, I cry… but I think all girls can relate to all the emotional sides.” She has Queen, Heart, Beach Boys among other singer-songwriters as her influences.

When asked what she thinks of the Filipinos, she quipped, “Lovely! They were wild!” Katy said she performed in Vhong Navarro and Anne Curtis’ noontime show “Showtime.” She added, “If the people in our concert will be just like them, putting their body into the song, I will be really happy letting loose.”