Olivia Rodrigo is the cool cousin we all wish we had, and Manila made sure she felt the love. The Filipino-American superstar got the ultimate homecoming reception during the Philippine leg of her GUTS tour at the Philippine Arena, with 55,000 fans ready to claim her as their own.
Nicknamed "Insan Liv" (translation: cousin Liv) by her Filipino fans, Rodrigo stepped onstage to the kind of welcome you’d give a long-lost relative—warm, loud, and a little bit chaotic. She didn’t disappoint, kicking off a concert that was part pop spectacle, part family reunion, and all heart.
But this wasn’t just about the music. Rodrigo made it clear she was here for something bigger, too. All ticket proceeds, priced at P1,500 each, went directly to her Fund 4 Good initiative. This isn’t your typical celebrity charity—it’s Olivia’s way of using her platform to build a more equitable future for women and girls through education, reproductive rights, and the fight against gender-based violence. The crowd might’ve come for the hits, but they stayed for the heart.
A Night of Bangers and Big Feelings
"It's such an honor to be here tonight, it's my first time in the Philippines," Rodrigo shouted as fans screamed their lungs out. "I want everyone up on their feet, jumping, screaming, and singing like there’s no tomorrow!" And with that, the show blasted off. Rodrigo wasted no time getting into tracks from her new album GUTS, serving up fan-favorites like "bad idea right?" and "ballad of a homeschool girl" before cranking up the drama with “vampire,” her Billboard Hot 100-topping hit.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Rodrigo show without some SOUR moments—emotionally, that is. She took the audience on a ride through her breakout album, starting with the gut-wrenching "traitor." But it was her piano performance of "drivers license" that really had everyone in their feelings, with some fans probably texting their exes mid-concert (no judgment).
And just when you thought the night couldn't get more epic, Rodrigo hit pause to give a shout-out to her heritage. "Usually, this is where I introduce 'so american,’ but tonight, I’m feeling so Filipino," she declared to massive cheers, officially cementing her status as the Philippines’ favorite adopted daughter.
Celebs, Drama, and a Family Vibe
As expected, the GUTS tour was also a magnet for Filipino celebrities. Andrea Brillantes was spotted up close, living her best life and posting on Instagram: "Olivia, you are amazing… wow." Of course, the "VIP treatment" chatter kicked up some drama, with a few fans upset about how tough it was to score tickets. But Brillantes’ supporters were quick to shut down the noise, reminding everyone that she queued up just like the rest of the crowd.
Sharlene San Pedro, on the other hand, took the whole thing in stride, joking from the upper box seats: "Ako nung hindi binuksan yung LED sa #GUTSWorldTourManila ... okay lang naman kami dito sa upperbox." Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes were there too, sharing a sweet moment with their daughter Zia, who was clearly loving the show. And for actor Elijah Canlas, the night was bittersweet—he attended the concert in memory of his late brother, JM, who was a huge fan of Olivia.
All Heart, All Pinoy
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| Olivia riding a bicycle in Intramuros |
Olivia didn’t just bring her A-game onstage—she also took time to reconnect with her roots offstage. She was spotted earlier in the week exploring Intramuros with her boyfriend, Louis Partridge, looking every bit like a tourist trying to soak in the country's history.
When the concert reached its finale, Rodrigo went all out with GUTS bangers like "the grudge" and "brutal," before treating fans to the TikTok hit "all-american b***h." But she saved the best for last. Dressed in a shirt proudly sporting “Pinoy Pride,” Olivia ended the night with a back-to-back knockout of "good 4 u" and "get him back." If this was a family reunion, it ended with a bang.
Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS Tour Manila wasn’t just a concert—it was a homecoming, a love letter to her Filipino roots, and a celebration of all the things that make Olivia, well, Olivia. Proud Pinoy ka talaga, Insan Liv. See you at the next reunion.
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