SB19 member Josh Cullen took center stage at Wish Date: Solace, headlining the latest installment of the concert-film hybrid held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on October 13, 2024. With a lineup that blurred the lines between cinema and live music, the event delivered a deeply emotional and immersive experience, proving once again that Wish Date is redefining what it means to tell a story on stage.
Carrying the theme “Love Triumphs and Music Offers Comfort,” the night weaved together a poignant short film with live musical performances, unfolding like a modern-day radio drama brought to life—with kilig, laughter, and a few tears along the way. The result? A crowd that laughed at spontaneous quips, cried during heartfelt scenes, and screamed at romantic tension as if they were inside the story themselves.
As for Cullen, his tracks “SEE ME” and “1999” from his Lost & Found solo album echoed through the arena with raw emotion. Coming just weeks after his first solo concert, his performance at Wish Date: Solace felt like an extension of that deeply personal journey. Before closing his set, he turned to the crowd and said simply, “We can all relate to this.” It was a quiet but powerful moment—one that perfectly captured the show’s theme of shared memory and healing.
Unlike a traditional concert that has live musical performance from start to finish, Wish Date: Solace, like any other editions organized by KDR Music House, was structured like a living, breathing stage play. The short film would fade in and out as the musical acts took the spotlight, with each song serving as a continuation or emotional response to the unfolding story. Performances weren’t just inserts—they were integral, timed with precision to magnify each beat of the narrative.
At the heart of the story was Troy (James Blanco) and Rebecca (Yuki Takahashi), a couple navigating love, illness, and the legacy they would leave behind for their daughter Karen (Zonia Mejia). The film, narrated by the familiar voice of Dr. Clark, echoed themes of loss and resilience across generations—highlighted further by young Karen (Chastity Dizon) and her partner Charlie (Shan Vesagas), as they try to make sense of the grief that binds and separates them.
Performances from Dionela (“Oksihina,” “Musika,” “153”) helped set the emotional tone early on, while the humorous flair of Dilaw (“Janice,” “Orasa,” “Uhaw”) provided momentary relief—sparking laughter that naturally merged with audience reactions to the film.
The Itchyworms heightened the nostalgic pull with “Akin Ka Na Lang,” “Di Na Muli,” “Love Team,” and “Awit Ng Barkada,” perfectly timed with flashback scenes that brought light-heartedness and depth. Arabelle Dela Cruz gave powerhouse renditions of “Run To You” and “Even If,” capturing the ache of heartbreak and longing felt by the characters onscreen.
Then came Angeline Quinto—whose soaring vocals in “’Til I Met You,” “Sana Maulit Muli,” “Kahit Isang Saglit,” “At Ang Hirap,” and “What Matters Most” brought the house down. Her songs flowed in tandem with emotional peaks in the film, becoming both soundtrack and catharsis for the crowd. One by one, the audience lit up their phones, waving in sync as if collectively saying goodbye to someone they loved.
Meanwhile, Claudia (Nikki Valdez)—Rebecca’s sister and Karen’s aunt—emerged as a silent anchor in the story. Her character’s quiet sacrifices added another layer of meaning to the songs and the film’s message: that love’s most powerful form is often the one that doesn’t ask for recognition.
Rising band Letters from June tied everything together with their set: “Head Over Heels,” “Make It With You,” “Universe,” and the official theme song “Nasan Ka Na?” As the film drew toward its finale, the boundary between screen and stage fully collapsed. The final scenes were no longer confined to film; actors began performing live on stage, completing the story with movement and music, transforming the concert into a full theatrical experience.
With Josh Cullen anchoring the show’s emotional pulse and the rest of the artists delivering unforgettable moments throughout the evening, Wish Date: Solace proved that Filipino entertainment can innovate while staying deeply rooted in emotional truth.
This isn’t just a concert. It isn’t just a movie. It’s a shared memory unfolding live—where every note, every line, and every reaction matters. Can’t wait to see more editions of this one-of-a-kind experience together with a big crowd celebrating music, memories and moments that truly matter.
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