More than a transformative, musical storytelling experience, friendship is a central theme at the Wish Date concert last Dec. 4 at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City. The short film “A Friend of Mine,” centered around friendship and missed chances, debuted exclusively during the concert. A medley of OPM artists and bands, both from Davao and Manila, performed their renditions and original songs that fit the theme and storyline live. But even off-stage and off-camera, the concert series by Wish 107.5 and KDR Music House bonded new friends together, like artists Kimberly Baluzo and Peniel.

“Naging madali because of Pen,” Kimberly said about the rehearsal and preparation process. Both artists have been a part of the Wish Date series since its first two shows, and they both agree that it’s a good opportunity for them both to stretch themselves and get out of their comfort zones, vocally and genre-wise. “Thankful ako kasi dun ko din mas nakikilala ‘yung sarili ko as an artist.”

But the most recent show was a bigger deal for them, especially for Peniel. “Excited ako kasi ‘yung out-of-town concert is in my town. Pero sa point of view ng mga artists na hindi taga-Davao, the staff, and sila Direk, I can imagine that it’s a very big step,” the Davaoeña said. “It was also the first time I stepped on a big stage in my own city. I made sure to give it my best shot and to try new things.”

Peniel shared that it was also her first time to have a hand with her setlist. “I know the kind of songs that the people from this city really love and would have a visceral reaction to,” she said. “Also, because technically, this was my debut in this city as an artist, I wanted to choose songs that really represented me as an artist, which are lyric-heavy songs that have more space to work with.”

“I wanted to challenge myself in a way na gusto ko ma-pull off ‘yung same vision and emotion of the original artist who sang it, but my version,” Peniel said about her performances. Kimberly, on the other hand, talked about her experience in theatre, “Naging helpful sa’kin ‘yung theatre na mas mapalinaw ‘yung delivery while performing, na mas mabigyan ng emphasis ‘yung emotions nung song.”

“Every Wish Date concert naman, laging may pasabog. ‘Yung story pa lang ka-abang-abang na. Hindi lang kaming artists ‘yung nagbuhos ng efforts, kundi madami: the directors, staff, and ‘yung mga gumanap sa story,” Kimberly said.

“It’s always different at each Wish Date concert,” Peniel agreed. The memorable event was marked by her performance of her original song, Moon’s Offer. Catch the livestream of the concert on KDR Music House’s YouTube account. (Contributed by Kynesha Robles)