There are nights you don’t forget—nights when the music, the people, and the vibe all click into place like it was meant to happen. That’s what this night in Iligan felt like for me. A little unexpected, a little risky, but it was fully worth it.
When I landed my first set in Aqua Bar Iligan, I had undermined the Iligan crowd, especially the patrons of Aqua Bar. Just like the usual out-of-town gigs, I thought it would be another mainstream and commercial crowd. And while that was true on the surface, I was caught off guard by how the people reacted when I slipped in sounds I never thought they’d enjoy.
You know, that’s the beauty of DJing—you think you know what a crowd will want, then they throw you a curveball by loving something outside the box. So then it pushes you to take risks, to mix differently, and to play harder. And honestly, that’s the challenge I live for. Aqua Bar has really challenged my artistic self since then. 😂
When I got invited again, I knew I had to step up my game. So, I brought out my creativity and my love for music with me from my bedroom in Davao to Iligan City. I wanted my second time in the Aqua Bar stage to be different—and damn, it definitely was.
This time, I got lined up with two amazing people of OnlyFriends—Simone Rodriguez and Antonio Lopez. Together, we were trusted to lead the way for the first-ever Blackout Party in Aqua Bar Iligan. The process leading up to it was incredible and fun. From early planning and rehearsing it to the actual live performance, everything just felt natural and exciting.
Nothing was forced. We were just having fun!
It was as if the crowd, the entire vibe, and the music had aligned perfectly for that one night.
I couldn’t believe my eyes that it was really happening, Aqua Bar had entirely shifted when the clock hit 1:30 AM. It went blackout and then entered into a whole different vibe. It was raw, it was loud, and it was unlike anything Aqua Bar—or Iligan City—had seen before.
Kudos to the man behind the mic of Aqua Bar as well—Emcee Kida. He introduced the Blackout Party with so much intensity and power. The way he carried the crowd and kept the energy alive alongside our music tied everything together. Without that presence, I think that night wouldn’t have hit the same way.
Well, Aqua Bar could have stayed in its comfort zone, but the management took a risk. They believed in the idea, in us, and in the possibility that Iligan was ready for something different that night.
On a deeper personal thought, I believe that Aqua Bar is really meant to be something more. Its management has envisioned something amazing. They love music, they love their artists being creative, they love their crowd, but they didn’t settle into what’s usual. And I love that for them!
Iligan, being the city where the scene feels predictable, there are people hungry for something real, raw, and unfiltered. And to be part of that shift, alongside Simone and Antonio, is something I’ll always carry with me.
To the Aqua Bar patrons — you showed up and proved us wrong in the best way possible. You showed us that this city is ready for nights that go beyond the expected. You gave your energy, you embraced the music, and you turned a concept into an experience. For me, that’s unforgettable.
And on that night, in the heart of Iligan, inside a bar turned crimson red, we all witnessed it. Aqua Bar went Blackout for the first time —and it came alive.
Follow the social media pages of Aqua Bar Iligan to get the first dip of the next Blackout Party!
- Instagram: @aquabariligan
- Facebook: Aqua Bar
