The Black Parade Chronicles

My Chemical Romance is undeniably one of the bands that can summon an entire generation with just a single, sustained G note — the intro to their all-time fan-favorite, “Welcome to the Black Parade.”

For nearly two decades, the fifth track from The Black Parade album has carried me through a lot of despair and uncertainty in my life. Whenever I felt uneasy working on our thesis in college, I'd play this to calm my nerves. Before I relied on caffeine for an adrenaline rush, I'd blast it through the speakers to hype me up just fine. Ironically, I ended up in a hospital after one energy-filled number at a student publication team-building event.

Just a quick note to my The Adamson Chronicle friends: This is where I clarify "that" incident once and for all. It wasn't Regine Velasquez's "Dadalhin" that made me gasp for air, but My Chemical Romance's "Welcome to the Black Parade." I hope there's no more confusion after this.

Back when I didn't know yet the concept of fangirling, I was already obsessing over MCR — whether it was the simple hums I unconsciously made or having the tune of "Teenagers" in our high school's jingle-making contest entry. What began as a casual jamming session with classmates back then has successfully etched its mark in my heart up to this day.

So, when the rumors went around in June about a possible Asian tour, I became hopeful that MCR will make their way again to the Philippines. Little did I know that it will only take less than a month for this wishful thinking to come true with the official announcement of their 2026 South East Asian tour.

While it was a welcome surprise, I felt worried because the venue will be at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. I understand why it is fitting for the band and the immense fanbase they have, but I'm quite troubled about attending for various practical reasons.

For a 31-year-old with obvious signs of aging already, it's a significant factor whether my body can hold up attending events. I initially thought that since Pulp Live World concerts are usually held at the Mall of Asia Arena or Araneta Coliseum, I was confident that it would also be the case for MCR. These venues work well for me, as I'm used to traveling to and from them with my experience attending K-pop concerts. The problem with the Philippine Arena is the logistics before and after the concert. But surprisingly, Pulp has figured that out and is offering a shuttle bus service to and from the venue. I guess that part is somehow settled.

Which leaves me with my other major concern — the grueling battle to secure tickets. Just thinking about how different generations will be competing to purchase tickets online, plus the scalpers, is making my head ache. But then again, Pulp seems to have thought of this ahead, and for the first time will be selling tickets online exclusively at pulptickets.com and on-site via SM Tickets and Ticketnet outlets. I'm equally hoping that their policy of only allowing a maximum of 10 tickets per person and sending the e-tickets via email only weeks away the actual concert date might actually help deter scalpers.

Let us not forget the most important issue of it all, financial capacity. Oh well, I'll just cross the bridge when I get there.

Most importantly, to you who've made it this far — thank you for embracing my ramblings. So, here's a treat: My MCR favorites, listed not by how I rank them, but in the order of their release:

• Helena

• I’m Not Okay (I Promise)

• Thank You for the Venom

• Welcome to the Black Parade

• I Don’t Love You

• Cancer

• Mama

• Teenagers

• Disenchanted

• Famous Last Words

  
  

Why do I love them? Let me write about that in detail next time.

Here's to hoping I'll be a part of The Black Parade on April 25, 2026! 🖤

Photo grabbed from Instagram @meganmagdalena