If the audience thought Rolling Stone Philippines LIVE! was a spectacle of ideas coming to life, they only saw half the story.
Behind the scenes, it was a whirlwind of organized chaos: glam teams perfecting every last touch-up in cramped dressing rooms, superstars and panelists exchanging nods and handshakes backstage, and journalists rubbing shoulders with the nation’s biggest names.
The day began in the wee hours of the morning, with the team scrambling to transform the Maybank Performing Arts Theater into a stage worthy of the magazine’s grand debut. By 10:30 a.m., the doors opened, and the venue buzzed with energy.
Atomic Kitty, Shots, and a Buffet Table
The journalism panel kicked off the event, but minutes before, the air backstage was thick with anticipation. Before going on stage, moderator and award-winning journalist Atom Araullo shared his liking for ‘90s girl group Atomic Kitten. The panelists broadcast journalists Ivan Mayrina, Ricky Carandang, and newspaper publisher Sonny Coloma exchanged thoughts on the challenges posed by Big Tech and the current state of affairs. Whether discussing the erosion of traditional journalism or sharing casual insights, their camaraderie was palpable. For these revered journalists, spreading the truth wasn’t just a job; it was a shared mission.
Amid the hustle, the advertising panelists prepped for their session. Moderator Cynthia Dayco paced back and forth, fine-tuning her questions, while the panelists — industry leaders in their own right. From the buffet table to the side stages, the advertising world showed its knack for making connections, proving that creativity thrives even in the most chaotic environments.
Before taking the stage with moderator Don Jaucian and National Artist Ricky Lee, actor John Lloyd Cruz handed out shots of whiskey in a corner of the backstage area, his charm and manic energy lighting up the room. Meanwhile, Lee remained meditative, a calm presence amidst the festivity. Together, they transformed from colleagues to kindred spirits, united by their love for storytelling. No cue cards, no scripts; just raw, unfiltered passion.
Legends Only
The green room was a sea of towering figures as athletes Hidilyn Diaz, EJ Obiena, Steven Füglister, Gabe Norwood, and Allysa Valdez prepared for their panel. Despite their imposing physiques, their gentle giant demeanors stood out. Diaz, Obiena, and Norwood exchanged wisdom and experiences, their camaraderie was a testament to the humility that defines true champions. Even backstage, the spirit of winning was alive and well.
The food panel, led by food personality Erwan Heussaff, was a celebration of culinary brilliance. Heussaff lined up the industry’s most influential chefs and personalities, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas. Eric Teng, one of the food panelists, chuckled seeing his own photo saying “I’ll show this to my wife.” Despite the high stakes and banter backstage, the atmosphere was one of mutual respect, a reminder that the future of Filipino food is as much about collaboration as it is about innovation.
While the Eraserheads, consisting of Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro, commanded audiences with their bigger than life personalities, it was their sound crew that stole the show backstage. From fine-tuning Buendia’s guitar amp to perfecting Marasigan’s snare sound, the tech crew worked tirelessly to create the magic that would soon light up the stage. For the staff, witnessing a live soundcheck of “Spoliarium” was a rare treat, a sneak peek into the meticulous preparation behind the band’s legendary performances.
Rolling Stone Philippines LIVE!
with Ploom and Nordic Spirit
In partnership with Baken
And special thanks to the Moment Group, Brewed Statement, Instamirror, Remy Martin, Event Shaker, Goodness Graze
