Black Eyed Peas’ High-Octane Manila Concert is a Nod to Pinoy Pride

The iconic pop group leaned on rap, wit, and crowd energy to anchor their fourth Manila show, which doubled as a celebration of Filipino pride

By Elijah Pareño August 28, 2025

Black Eyed Peas in Manila — Despite the chaotic pacing, the night delivered on its promise. The Black Eyed Peas leaned into their strengths — charisma, humor, showmanship, and genuine connection with their audience. Photo from Ellyza Cua

On August 27, Los Angeles-based pop-rap group Black Eyed Peas made their explosive return to Manila at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. It is the group’s fourth time performing in the Philippines since their debut appearance in 2005 during the Monkey Business tour.

The three original members, will.i.am, Taboo, and Apl.de.ap, have remained together since the group’s 1995 inception, with Fergie’s addition in 2003 propelling them to global superstardom. Since then, their catalog has expanded to include career defining hits such as “Where Is the Love?,” “Let’s Get It Started,” “My Humps,” “I Gotta Feeling,” and “Imma Be,” songs that cemented their place in the pop and dance music landscape.

From the conscious jazz-rap beginnings in 1998 with Behind the Front, to their pivot into EDM-driven pop with The E.N.D. (2009) and The Beginning (2010), the group has shown remarkable adaptability. While their electronic turn was criticized at the time, they anticipated EDM’s fusion with rap before it dominated global charts the following decade.

In 2025, watching the Black Eyed Peas deliver this hybrid sound to an arena full of fans was entering a time capsule with one of pop culture’s most distinguishable acts.

Night Out in Manila

As rain poured outside, the arena crowd filled in: a mix of leather jackets, tube tops, and party-ready groups straight out of Manila’s nightlife enclaves. Parents ushered teenagers to their seats, while some clusters of friends carried a VIP superclub energy into sections of the venue.

Filipino-American rapper EZ Mil opened the evening with a short but high-energy set, performing his viral hit “Panalo” that showcased his technical rap skills. His performance, full of bravado and pride, set an anticipatory tone, though his time was cut short after just two songs. A 40-minute wait followed until, at exactly 9 p.m., the lights dimmed and the sound system jolted the venue awake with a booming bassline.

Korean singer Sandara Park surprised fans with a special number alongside Apl.De.Ap. Photo from Ellyza Cua

The Peas launched into “Let’s Get It Started,” immediately electrifying the audience. With futuristic visuals and pounding beats, they segued into “Boom Boom Pow” and “Rock Your Body,” leaning heavily on the glossy, EDM-infused material that defined their late-2000s commercial peak. J. Rey Soul, who joined the group in 2018 after Fergie’s departure, carried the female vocal leads with confidence, blending seamlessly into the Peas’ now well-established touring dynamic.

Fever Dream

As the night unfolded, the performance took on the qualities of an overstimulating EDM set. The rap trio traded verses and banter between thundering drops and hyperactive light shows.

Taboo delivered a hometown tribute by performing “East L.A.,” while the mood shifted when Apl.de.ap took the stage in a custom Barong Tagalog embroidered with the Philippine flag; his set being the centerpiece of the night.Against swirling visuals of Philippine landscapes and flashing national colors, he shouted out his hometown of Angeles City, Pampanga, to resounding cheers. Apl’s visuals leaned into both spectacle and sentiment, reinforcing his unique role as the Filipino face of the group’s global success.

The energy was quickly contrasted by will.i.am, who leaned into his larger-than-life persona. He performed his Britney Spears collaboration “Scream and Shout” as if it were a club anthem resurrected, egging on the crowd with quips, instructions, and playful commentary about Apl living in the countryside of Pampanga. At times, the banter was so frequent that the concert felt like a blend of talk show and music showcase.

Midway through the set, a surprisingly tender moment arrived. Apl.de.ap and will.i.am invited their mothers onto the stage, a gesture that added a rare intimacy to the otherwise high-octane evening. The crowd erupted in applause, bridging the gap between global icons and personal roots.

The group then stretched their biggest hits into a sprawling medley: “Just Can’t Get Enough,” “Imma Be,” and “I Gotta Feeling” merged into a 15-minute sequence of sing-a-longs, instrumental breakdowns, and crowd interactions. It was a maximalist approach, designed to squeeze as much energy from the audience as possible. With its blend of non-stop dance music, improvised banter of Filipino swear words, extended crowd participation, and sentimental interludes, the performance often veered between exhilarating and overwhelming, like a night out that blurred the line between the club floor and the concert stage.

Yet, despite the chaotic pacing, the night delivered on its promise. The Black Eyed Peas leaned into their strengths — charisma, humor, showmanship, and genuine connection with their audience. More importantly, Apl.de.ap’s presence turned the evening into more than just entertainment. His Filipino pride, his ability to stand before a home audience in a Barong Tagalog, and the genuine affection he showed for his roots elevated the event into a moment of cultural resonance.

By the end of the night, it was clear that the Black Eyed Peas had, once again, bridged eras and genres. What could have been a nostalgic replay of past hits became a surreal spectacle anchored by the human touch of its performers. For Manila’s audience, that balance of spectacle and sincerity was enough to make the evening unforgettable.