Secondhand Serenade returned to Manila for two sold-out concerts last August 29 and 30 at the New Frontier Theater, after such a long time.

Presented by PULP Live World and Skesh Entertainment, the concerts were a reminder of why Secondhand Serenade’s music remains beloved by fans, especially in Manila.

John Vesley, who first gained attention on MySpace in 2005, found global fame with the release of “Fall For You” in 2008. The song, a deeply emotional track, struck a chord with listeners worldwide, but it was in the Philippines that it became an enduring favorite. Manila fans have always been some of Vesley’s most passionate supporters, and their energy was on full display throughout both nights.

The concerts opened with a set from Valentina Ploy, a Thai-Italian artist whose heartfelt lyrics and melodies perfectly introduced the evening. Her performance warmed up the crowd by bringing her unique sound to the Manila audience, setting the stage for what was to come during this exciting night.

As soon as Vesley began his set, the atmosphere in the theater started to rise continuously. Songs like “Maybe” and “Broken” were met with an outpouring of emotion from the audience, who sang along to every word. The pinnacle of the night came with performances of “Your Call” and “Fall For You,” both of which drew an overwhelming response from the crowd, transporting them back to the time when those songs first became part of their lives.

In a special moment, Vesley shared that new music is on the horizon, giving fans something to look forward to. The night ended on a high note with an encore of “Last Song Ever,” leaving the audience with a final, lingering memory of a concert that felt both familiar and fresh.

For those two nights, the New Frontier Theater became a place where old memories were relived, and new ones were created, all to the soundtrack of Secondhand Serenade.