Take us back to 2009—when Sundays meant rest for most of us, tuning in to ASAP, waiting for Sesionistas, a segment that brought us closer to our favorite songs, from covers to originals, back then. The reunion concert, held at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City, was a heartfelt and nostalgic celebration of music, friendship, and the enduring legacy of the ASAP Sessionistas. The group, featuring Ice Seguerra, Nyoy Volante, Sitti, Duncan Ramos, Princess Velasco, Kean Cipriano, and Juris, delivered a powerful and heartfelt performance that resonated deeply with fans since 2009. This is a concert that Filipinos should experience.
The concert opened with a high-energy Queen medley, including Bohemian Rhapsody, Somebody to Love, and We Are the Champions, setting a vibrant tone. The setlist featured timeless OPM classics and iconic Sessionistas original hits, like “Tattooed on my mind,” “A little bit,” “Para lang sa’yo,” “Rainbow,” “Someday,” “Magbalik,” and Princess’s take on “Bad Romance.”
Remember when Sesionistas read letters from their fans requesting a song during their segment at ASAP? They had it on stage with The Dear Sessionistas. Ice and Nyoy sang Survivor’s “The Search Is Over” for a letter sender who met her “the one,” ending her long search. Duncan and Sitti sang Toto’s “I’ll Be Over You” for a fan who was left behind, while Princess, Juris, and Kian sang “She Will Be Loved” for a fan who penned a beautiful kind of love story. This interactive element highlighted their connection with fans, recreating the intimacy of their ASAP performances.
The group also featured unreleased original songs, reflecting their individual journeys and artistic evolution. Showcasing their growth and versatility, they performed “Lihim,” “The Right One,” “Hayaan,” “I Wasn’t Ready Yet,” “Titingin Tingin,” “Malinaw na Malabo,” “The End of the Line,” and “Shelter of the Broken.”
The Out of the Box segment surprised audiences with genre-bending performances, showcasing the group’s versatility as they experimented with styles outside their comfort zones, performing Blackstreet’s “No Diggity,” Nicki Minaj’s super pop “Super Bass,” and Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” which garnered applause from the audience. Not only did they do this unexpected genre, but they also paid homage to P-Pop by performing SB19’s “Gento” and BINI’s “Salamin.”
From highs of genre-bending segments to emotional highlights—when Juris went on piano to perform “Di Lang Ikaw,” Juris paved the way for emotionally charged ballads that explore internal struggle, heartbreak, and the desire for freedom, even while acknowledging the shared pain and complexities of being in a relationship. She then welcomed Ice, where he performed his classic “Pagdating ng Panahon.” The technical issue in the middle of the song made it more beautiful, as the audience could be heard singing with him in A cappella. It was momentous, heartfelt, and just so beautiful.
The Sessionistas at Home offered an intimate glimpse into their lives as parents, partners, and friends, with family montages and heartfelt dedications that added a personal touch. With Mom Sitti, Juris performed Sarah McLachlan’s “Little B,” while the dad [Nyoy, Kean, Ice, and Duncan] performed Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.”
The concert was as much a celebration of the Sessionistas’ friendship as it was their music. Their banter, humor, and camaraderie shone through, making the audience feel like they were watching a group of lifelong friends. Sitti noted that the concert felt like a “reunion with everyone in the audience,” emphasizing the shared nostalgia. Nyoy Volante praised Kean Cipriano’s professionalism, revealing that Kean performed despite losing his mother days before the April 4 show, a testament to the group’s dedication. Ice Seguerra, who also produced the concert alongside Liza Diño-Seguerra, emphasized the group’s bond, stating, “More than the singing, it’s the friendship na nabuo namin on and off stage.”
The group’s energy captivated the audience, inspiring many to sing along, cry, or smile, resulting in a reciprocal emotional exchange. Produced by Fire and Ice Entertainment and Fire and Ice LIVE, the concert was well-organized, with creative direction by Liza Diño-Seguerra. The Theatre at Solaire provided a fitting venue for the group’s grand reunion. We felt that the whole nation needed to see the growth, bond, and love we saw through their well-crafted, tailor-fit, perfectly timed performances that truly tugged at the heartstrings. They capped the night with performances of “For Good,” “Fix You,” “Ain’t No Mountain,” and an encore of The Rembrandts “I’ll Be There for You” from the hit series F.R.I.E.N.D.S.!
Love, Sessionistas was a triumphant reunion that lived up to its billing as a “love letter to fans.” The concert blended nostalgia with fresh elements, balancing iconic OPM hits, personal stories, and new music to create an unforgettable experience. Their chemistry, honed over years of friendship, made the show feel like an intimate gathering despite the grand venue. Fans left with a renewed appreciation for the group’s legacy and their ability to evoke joy, tears, and connection through music. For those who attended, it was indeed like coming home.
