PVL player Jheck Dionela during Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour concert in Singapore. –JHECK DIONELA INSTAGRAM
MANILA, Philippines — For Jheck Dionela, Taylor Swift will never go out of style.
From being a fan as a student to finally watching her life more than a decade after, Dionela was able to fulfill her to see the mega popular singer during the Singapore stop of her The Eras concert Tour on Monday.
Cignal veteran libero, who has been a “Swiftie” since 2009, said it had been a surreal experience seeing the Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter.
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She flew to Singapore on Monday, Day 2 of Swift’s concert in her only Southeast Asian stop. She returned to Manila the day after with her club supporting her amid the ongoing 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Dionela recalled wanting to watch Swift’s Red Tour in Manila in 2014 but she couldn’t afford to buy tickets at that time.
“Gustong gusto ko pumunta kaso estudyante pa ako noon so walang pera. Can’t afford kaya sabi ko talaga sa next tour niya sa Pilipinas manonood ako. Kaso this time around walang Pilipinas kaya pag [Singapore] hindi ko na papalampasin kasi baka mamaya lola na siya kapag yung next concert niya,” Dionela told reporters after their 25-21, 25-17, 25-21 win over Nxled on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
“Kasi diba hindi natin masasabi naniniwala ako na kung may chance igrab, i-grab mo na.”
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Dionela, whose favorite Taylor’s eras are Red and Reputation, said that the song “Long Live”–which is about Swift’s celebration of life experiences, friendships, and achievements–is her life song
“Yung experience with friends actually yun yung pinakatinetreasure ko kasi minsan lang yung may ganun kang alam mo yun yung nandon ka sa moment na yun tapos magkakasama kayo tapos nagoutfit kayo,” the 10-year Cignal veteran, who channeled Swift’s Fearless era with her concert outft–said.
“Yun yung mga rare moments na sayang na baka pagdating ng araw gusto ko ilook back yung buhay ko na hindi lang ako nagvolleyball kahit papaano nagenjoy din ako sa life kasi life is short pag tumanda tayo gusto natin ilook back natin ginawa natin yung best natin na mapasaya natin yung sarili natin, reward.”
As a passionate music fan, the University of Perpetual Help product cherished the concert from beginning to end, describing the experience as “masterful.”
“Wala talaga kong pinalagpas,” she said. “It’s one thing na magiging memorable na makekwento mo na, “Uy nakita ko yung idol ko magperform.” Super galing talaga ni Taylor magperform as in super professional. Masterful yung performance and overall production.”
Dionela was happy to watch Swift’s concert on the same day Lisa — a member of her favorite KPop group BlackPink — went to Eras Tour Singapore.
“Siyempre happy kasi dati inaabangan ko lang yung concert nila tapo andon siya same day nagulat din ako kasi kala ko first day siya kasi dumating siya nung day 1 ata tas day 2 pala siya manonood,” said Dionela, who have watched a couple of BlackPink concerts.
Work-life balance
FILE–Cignal player Jheck Dionela. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Dionela is aware that she has commitments and responsibilities as a professional volleyball player but she also wants to enjoy life by watching concerts as she will watch Ed Sheeran’s Manila comeback on Saturday as part of her bucket list.
“Siguro ang inaantay ko na lang konti na lang Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Adele. Medyo lahat ng nagustuhan ko nasa bucketlist ko na kasi very passionate din ako pagdating sa music I make sure na balance din yung life ko na hindi lang volleyball lahat ng ginagawa ko,” she said.
She missed training on Monday and wasn’t fielded against Nxled that’s why she’s eager to make up for the lone practice she missed to start preparing for the unbeaten Choco Mucho on Thursday next week.
“Siyempre may responsibility tayo dito sa liga. Bukas mageextra work out ako, yung namiss ko nung Monday. Supposedly rest kami bukas and rehab pero para mapunan ko yung absent ko nung Monday,” Dionela said.