Saved Festival

"I've sung for You all my life but where are You?" were the words of Parachute Band front man Omega Levine, as he shared about reaching out to God in his darkest hour. Like me, Omega grew up in a Christian home, raised by Christian parents, surrounded by Christian friends. Like me, he attended Sunday school and served in church–and probably for a good few years failed to understand what the Christian lifestyle should really be all about. Like me, Omega is proof that being a Christian does not at all promise perfection but is telling of the grace and mercy of God.

A few weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to attend and write about Saved – a Christian music festival, a first of its kind in the Philippines – held November 26 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Becca Music, the organizers, gave me two Patron tickets (when I only expected Upper Box B's!) which I shared with my good friend Lai. I've been excited about Saved since I first heard of it. I knew it was something I couldn't let pass. And I'm glad I didn't.

The night was opened by Gary Valenciano who shared the pure energy with the thousands of attendees grooving to Sa Yaweh Ang Sayaw. Gary V shared a few encouraging passages (Psalm 20, Psalm 121) before slowing down with heartfelt songs such as Could You Be Messiah, Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos? and Take Me Out of the Dark and ending his set with Shout for Joy (I danced, fyi, well more like "moved", actually).

Following Mr Pure Energy was Quest, another homegrown artist, who introduced the people to what he calls the 'party life'. Quest shared he's been celebrating Saved since the day he gave his life to God. His message of each and everyone of us being "called to rise and shine" is reflected in his songs like Party Life, Rise and Shine and Back to Love.

Jodi King, who was here in Manila earlier this year with Planetshakers, brought a cheerful vibe to the stage with songs like Breathing In, Breathing Out; Happy and a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace.

Local Christian band Sideshow followed with Alleluia, Life Light Up and As the Deer – bass reverberating as loud as the hearts of everyone in the coliseum.

Pastor Steve Ruetschle from Union Church Manila provided a break from hours of worship, as he talked about radical faith. He shared the Mark 2 story of a paraplegic and his friends, one Pastor Steve can definitely relate to. In 2010, he figured in a motorcyle accident that fractured his C6 and C7 neck vertebrae.

Pastor Steve shared: “They said ‘You’ll never walk again’. But Jesus saw the uncompromising, unstoppable faith of my friends, and he healed this paralytic. And He’s healing this paralytic. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that we all need healing in our lives. And healing can come quickly. But most of the time, healing comes slow and that is a blessing. You hardly learn anything when it comes right away. If healing comes slowly, God can teach you lessons you never dreamed of and I can say my life is richer because of this suffering. But I know that if you are in Christ and you trust Christ, healing is in your certain future.”

You can check out Pastor Steve's story here.

Resuming the worship was Parachute Band. PB has some really amazing songs and one of them, Mercy, was inspired by Omega's testimony.

Omega was born with a thumb stuck in his face. And even though he's had successful operations to rebuild his face, he still struggled–fitting in with the kids who mocked him. At one point he even considered taking his own life. One day he cried out to God with the words that opened this post and in that moment, Omega felt God touch his life.

Martin Smith later joined PB and shared something about history makers: "There’s another dimension to being a history maker and it’s about really changing the earth. It’s about living in the power of the Holy Spirit, living in the power of God."

Canadian group Starfield also performed in the festival and I felt that they really were able to connect with the youth present. As with all the artists that participated in the Saved Festival, Starfield plays really awesome music.

I believe Citipointe Live was the group most familiar to everybody who came. They've been here in the Philippines several times–in worship events and holding musical workshops. They're among the biggest worship teams in Australia and I know most of their songs are being sung in some churches here. I am in love with You Reign and Higher + Deeper + Wider, which is included in their latest album Hope is Erupting.

They will be heading out on a tour for the album next year with the Philippines as one of their first stops.



The photos are from the official Facebook page of Manila Concert Philippines.

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It was an incredible experience. It was amazing to be in the midst of thousands of hearts in worship, reaching out to God, knowing lives are being changed. I needed this encounter. Crazy, six straight hours of worship and still wanting more.