Moonstar88 marked the 25th anniversary of their iconic hit &ldquo;Torete&rdquo; with a one-night-only orchestral concert at Eton Centris on May 25, giving fans a nostalgic musical journey filled with surprises, freebies, and a whole lot of emotion.
<img src="https://api.easyrock.com.ph/v1/media/display?bucket=static.easyrock.com.ph&amp;key=attachments/2025/5/ObZab7x5KgdxqRPE1I3Gt.jpeg" alt="" width="700" height="467" /> Presented by Eton Centris and Soupstar Music, Moonstar88: 25 Years of Torete featured the band&rsquo;s most loved songs&mdash;this time with a dramatic new twist. Backed by the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra and conductor Jonathan Cruz, Moonstar88 reimagined their classic tracks with full symphonic arrangements that gave longtime fans a fresh and emotional experience.
Concertgoers were treated to orchestral versions of songs like &ldquo;Sulat,&rdquo; &ldquo;Sa Langit,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Huwag Na Muna,&rdquo; &mdash;blending the band&rsquo;s signature hugot with sweeping strings and rich harmonies. Actress-singer Alexa Ilacad also made a special appearance, joining the band onstage for a heartfelt duet of &ldquo;Gilid.&rdquo;
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The night opened with performances from rising OPM acts Hey June! and Better Days, setting the mood for an evening filled with music and memories.
To make the celebration even more special, the first 88 fans to arrive at the venue received exclusive freebies including a commemorative concert t-shirt, a limited-edition event poster, and collectible event stickers. The first 250 attendees were also entered into a special raffle for a chance to win signed SQOE guitars&mdash;a fitting prize for a night that honored music and memory.
The event grounds also featured a Freedom Wall, where fans could write messages, song lyrics, or memories tied to Moonstar88&rsquo;s music. Acoustic buskers performed around the venue before the main show, adding to the laid-back and community-centered vibe of the night.
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&ldquo;This has long been a dream ofn ours,&rdquo; said guitarist Herbert Hernandez, referring to the orchestral collaboration. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve always wondered, what if Moonstar88 had a string or brass section? We would often imagine how our songs might sound with a broader, more expansive musical arrangement. The idea first took place when we released our EP, Strings Attached. Why don&rsquo;t we try performing with an orchestra?&rdquo;
Vocalist Maysh Baay spoke about the band&rsquo;s connection to &ldquo;Torete&rdquo;, saying, &ldquo;Musically, we&rsquo;ve explored different arrangements of Torete over the years, but emotionally, the impact is more powerful now. Every time we perform the song, we carry with us the entire journey&mdash;from college gigs to major stages, from heartbreaks to healing.&rdquo;
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Despite the grandeur of the arrangements, the concert kept its emotional core intact. From gentle sing-alongs to powerful full-band crescendos, Moonstar88 reminded everyone why their music continues to resonate across generations.
The night ended, fittingly, with &ldquo;Torete&rdquo;&mdash;the song that started it all&mdash;leaving the crowd swaying, singing, and, for many, quietly crying.