Swiftie Jheck Dionela of the Cignal HD Spikers was definitely feeling all the magic made in Day 2 of the Eras Tour in Singapore.
Being a fan of Taylor Swift since 2009, Jheck Dionela had always dreamed of seeing the American singer-songwriter in person. The opportunity had presented itself when The Red Tour came to the Philippines in 2014, but circumstances weren’t in the decorated libero’s favor.
"Noong 2014, Red Tour niya before dito, gustong-gusto ko pumunta kaso estudyante pa ako noon so walang pera," Jheck Dionela shared when asked if she’d already seen Taylor Swift live.
"Can’t afford [pa], kaya sabi ko talaga sa next tour niya sa Pilipinas manonood ako… kaso this time around, walang Pilipinas kaya ‘di ko na papalampasin," Dionela said. "Naniniwala ako na kung may chance i-grab, i-grab mo na.”
The situation was a bit difficult however, as the Cignal HD Spikers had a scheduled game on Thursday--the same week that the Eras Tour finally landed in Singapore.
Jheck was at the crossroads: fulfill her Swiftie dreams or stay, stay, stay?
But what if we told you she was a mastermind?
The pocket-sized libero was about to let go of her ticket. But she chose not to.
"Dapat ile-let go ko na yung ticket kaso pasok naman siya sa schedule kahit papaano, so pinush ko na lang. Kasi ‘yun ‘yung mga rare moment na pagdating ng araw, gusto ko i-lookback 'yung buhay ko na hindi lang ako nag-volleyball," shared Dionela.
She even borrowed a silver fringe dress from her friend, which saved her from wearing a t-shirt in Day 2 of the Eras Tour.
"Surreal lang na nakapunta ako doon and thankful na siyempre pinayagan ako kahit papaano, uwian lang talaga alis, concert [then] uwi," commented Jheck.
"Kahit papaano nag-enjoy din ako sa life kasi life is short, ‘pag tumanda tayo gusto natin i-look back natin ginawa natin 'yung best natin na mapasaya natin yung sarili natin, reward ba?"
The cherry on top of a magical night? One of her favorite artists, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, was also enjoying the Day 2 festivities.
"Siyempre happy kasi dati inaabangan ko lang 'yung concert nila tapos andon siya same day. Nagulat din ako, kasi akala ko first day siya kasi dumating siya nung Day 1 ata, ta’s Day 2 pala siya manonood so syempre [ang] saya,” said Dionela when asked how she felt being in the same event as the K-pop idol.
Safe to say, Jheck Dionela will always remember that night when the crowds in the stands went wild, the night they danced like they knew their lives would never be the same, and the night where they had the time of their lives. The experience was made even sweeter thanks to the gift of friendship.
"‘Yung experience with friends, actually, 'yun 'yung pinakatine-treasure ko kasi minsan lang 'yung may ganun. ‘Yung nandon ka sa moment na ‘yun tapos magkakasama kayo [tapos] nag-outfit kayo. It’s one thing na magiging memorable na makekwento mo na ‘uy, nakita ko 'yung idol ko mag-perform. Super galing talaga ni Taylor magperform, as in super professional," Dionela shared.
Of course, she knew she still had duties to fulfill. While the Singapore trip was rather short-lived, it was enough to satisfy the musicophile in Jheck. Time to go back to work.
"Siyempre may responsibility tayo dito sa liga. [Friday], mage-extra work out ako… ‘yung namiss ko nung Monday ie-extra workout ko [on Friday]," she said.
Dionela didn't miss out much. The Cignal HD Spikers got over a late setback to sweep the Nxled Chameleons for their third-straight win.
Is It Over Now? Certainly not.
Next on Jheck Dionela’s bucket list is Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour on Saturday.
The fangirl within her is also patiently waiting for Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Adele… and then perhaps she’ll be through with her concert checklist.
“Very passionate din ako pag-dating sa music. I make sure na balance din yung life ko na hindi lang volleyball lahat ng ginagawa ko.”
Looks like she'll be doing plenty of extra workouts in the future! Jheck Dionela is making the most out of her life, and we are here for every bit of it.