Super Sale

They say that not all superheroes wear capes. Yes, because some of those superheroes we look upon are not concealed with masks, nor capes, but they come with discounts and promotions instead.

Such heroes are called "Super Sale" and they offer you necessities with a discount ranging from 10% - 90% off the original price, sometimes even more. However, keep in mind that satisfaction does not always go with those.

SALE signage from unsplash.com

Every year, during the Holiday season, these superheroes (or money-savers) will surely be spotted regularly at each street, every mall, and marketplace. But wait, there will be more. With the technological advancements that we already have now, sales will also be spotted online also.

Looking back, online selling was already a thing since the early 2000s or even earlier than that. However, this selling was limited only to items that were already used (hand-me-down items) like books. Compare that with what we have now and you would see the difference.

Still, there is this one question: WHY ARE WE SO FOND OF SALES, DISCOUNTS, AND PROMOTIONS?

70% off signage from unsplash.com

Financially speaking, not everyone in this world was born with a silver spoon. Not everyone would have the privilege of inheriting a fistful of treasure enough to sustain a costly living until your dying age. On the other side of such a fortune, there would still be those who need to work hard every single day just to put food on their family's plates. For them, shopping could be a stress-reliever, but it would never be a hobby or even an addiction. Shopping would only be done when necessary.

Since the available budget may not be that big, items that have the greatest significances will always be prioritized. This not only teaches us the value of our finances, but also the value of working hard for and always being hungry to achieve our goals.

As for another reason, here is what I think. People want the idea of having their chance to buy a costly item at a lower than normal price. They have this feeling that they will trick the owner of the brand if they can buy such products at a lower price.

However, there are downsides of buying discounted products. You tend to buy things that you do not really need. Since they are at a lower price, you want to seize the chance and buy them. You fear that you may not be able to buy them later anymore if you just passed by them at the moment you saw them. 

We have to change our views on the superheroes. Let us not bit off more than we can chew.

If too much love will kill you, too much shopping will be just as dangerous. You will not only be killing your own finances but also of the people around you. 

Too bad that when that happens, Super Sale might not be there to rescue you.

Remembering the Only Jonas Brothers Concert in Manila... Yet

By October 30 of 2018, it would already be five years since the Jonas Brothers made the announcement of the band breaking up in a TV broadcast. That was over a year after they tried getting back together after at least a year of rest as the Jonas Brothers.

Joe Jonas' fan selfie from  the Jonas Brothers Philippines Facebook page

By 2010, Nick Jonas has formed his side group, Nick Jonas and the Administration, while Joe Jonas released a solo pop-RNB album in 2011, Fastlife. The last tour of the Jonas Brothers was the 2010 Fall tour which also had the promotions for Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. The last time they were on stage with the band together was when they performed in the Concert For Hope in March 2011. Since then, the burning question was this: Are the Jonas Brothers over?

But no, they were not over. At least, not until October of 2013.

They made a series of reunion concerts, starting in New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and then reaching Asia and Russia. The next stop was in the Philippines, a two-night concert (one in Manila, and another in Cebu) on October 19, and 20, 2012, and featured a mostly similar 26-song setlist to the one they had in New York City which ran for almost two hours!

I could remember the concert very well because it was the first time that I watched a foreign act, and also the first time that they were all here to perform. Back in May of that year, Joe Jonas was in Manila for a clothing line endorsement and had a two-song performance with “Just In Love” and “See No More”. He promised that he would bring his brothers with him soon and thank God he kept his promise. We were all fortunate to see them here before that unexpected break-up.

The Official Concert Poster from the organizer (not mine)

We were all hyped during the band’s entry to the stage with the song “We Will Rock You” in the background. After that, the trio was getting ready to open the night with their hit “When You Look Me In The Eyes”.

With that, I’d like to point out something that I noticed with Nick’s singing during “When You Look Me In The Eyes”. Since they started reuniting in 2012 and until their last performance of this song in their 2013 summer tour, and even in the digital album “Live”, I only got to hear Nick sing the coda part of this song similar to what he used to do back in their early days once and it was this Manila concert. I wouldn’t be able to point out the differences of the performance through writing, so here’s a video for that.

Notice these periods from these videos. All links are not mine but from other YouTubers. Thanks.

2010 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3T6KVGWLpQ (3:42-3:55)

2012 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAAl2k4iSzk (3:50-4:06)

2013 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXpg45vev2I (3:40-3:51)

If you’re a fan and you’d notice this, I’d be pretty sure you would have the same chills that I had upon learning this.

Another thing that I noticed during the show was that there were no gimmicks, or trickeries, involved in the show. There wasn't even any runway for the ever-energetic Joe's roaming around the stage, like what fans saw in the "Jonas Brothers 3D Concert Experience". These things proved that the night was purely intended for celebrating and singing their old and new music with them.

Aside from that, I could also remember singing out to the new arrangement for some of their songs like the reggae version of “Hold On”, country version of “Pushin’ Me Away” and “Gotta Find You”. I also liked the semi-acoustic set up they did for “Give Love A Try”, “Turn Right” and “Gotta Find You”.

One last thing I could recall was everyone singing all throughout “Lovebug”. A funny moment was when Joe did not need to sing any of his parts because the whole crowd was singing it.

The trio during "Lovebug" from http://www.gmanews.tv

To close out the show, they had “Burnin’ Up” and the band introduction and their own introduction which was then followed by their final goodbye and bow to the crowd in the same old Jonas Brothers way.

What a night to remember, and to feel alive for all JoBros fans indeed. We definitely need more.