February 12, 2007 was the start of the so called “UP Fair Week” administered by the University Student Council in cooperation with the different organizations here in UP Diliman. The first night, which started at 6 p.m. at the Sunken Garden, was chiefly organized by the Apha Phi Omega International Collegiate Service Fraternity and Sorority – Eta Chapter.
This year’s Fair’s theme is “UP NOT FAIR SALE” which obviously a part of the campaign against the 300% tuition increase. The week long celebration is comprised by 5 concerts. All popular OPM bands are to perform by different clusters of them per day.
I bought a ticket for the first night entitled “FAIRst NIGHT HIGH: Kami nAPO ngayon!” for only Php 75 – a reasonable price for there were more than 30 bands that played during that evening. I was with my college friends – Nicole, Earl, and Hazel – who were with me during the very long line that reached the Palma Hall. From afar, I saw the Sunken Garden so different than with the usual scene it is. The darkness filled the sky with stars and the moon. The blue-and-white-striped Smart-sponsored hot-air balloon’s bright illumination indeed gave an accent to the vicinity of the rectangular fenced area. Booths, including the wall for sport climbing, looked like “lego” toys.
Only after 30 minutes had we entered. The first booth I saw was that of Frenzy Condoms wherein if somebody buys 2 packs of condoms at Php 50, he could have pictures with the sexy lady models inside and have the photos printed free. The other booths were those of Pizza Hut, Shakey’s, Yellow Cab, McDonald’s, Tender Juicy Hotdogs, tattoo, paintball, clothes, rice in a box, and a lot more.
I really appreciated the soon-to-rising bands’ performances especially Giniling Festival’s (I really liked their song, Siling Giniling), Dicta License’s, Protein Shake’s, and Paramita’s. As usual, the much awaited band were to perform last like Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Spongecola, Imago (Aya is really talented and beautiful), Hale, Kjwan (Marc Abaya’s great), Mojofly, Moonstar88, Up Dharma Down, Hilera, Stonefree, Chicosci, and Radioactive Sago Project.
Jackie Rice didn’t entertain us so much. She just sang “For All of My Life” is a not-so-nice-tune and danced what she has been dancing from the beginning, “I Like It.” But when Katrina Halili got onstage, she totally drove the crowd with her sex appeal. She was so sexy. Every guy was stunned. I wish I could see her again. Woot!
Parokya ni Edgar and Kamikazee simultaneously performed as they made the crowd become so alive. Jay Contreras was so funny and naughty. Chito Miranda even joked us that they were a new band, Parokya ni Kazee. They rocked the night with their exchange of words in the song “The Yes Yes Show.”
The show ended at 3 in the morning and I got home at 4 a.m., not thinking 5 hours hence, there was an exam for me to take. 
