By Randy Espares Jr., Editor-in-Chief

There must be something truly wrong with our leaders if they see the absence of Taylor Swift's ‘The Eras Tour’ in the country as a major concern that needs to be immediately addressed. Their proposed solution? Build a P32 billion stadium by 2028 inside a city that disrupts the lives of its indigenous populace.

Many of the singer’s fans, officially known as Swifties, rejoiced when they heard that their favorite pop star is back on stage to tour the world. Anticipation buzzed throughout social media as dates were revealed for the Asia-leg of her concert, but, unfortunately, only two countries were included in the list, which are Singapore and Japan. The Philippines? Nowhere to be found. 

Disheartened Filipino Swifties theorized on probable reasons why the '2023 Person of the Year' did not choose to perform in the Philippines, with the main reason being the incapacity of our country to provide a stadium big enough to host Swift's enchanted three-hour show. It was then later revealed by the Singapore Tourism Board that the singer’s team made a deal with the Singaporean government that restricted her to perform in other Southeast Asian nations. 

At the end of the day, fans were able to shake it off and just hope for the best in her future concerts. 

But who would have thought that our Filipino leaders are actually the most diehard Swifties, unable to accept the singer-songwriter’s decision to not perform here and resort to building a stadium to host such events. Albay second district House Representative Joey Salceda estimates that our economy could have gained at least P1.44 billion if the singer-songwriter came here, with capitalists and elites gaining the bulk of the profit. 

The planned stadium was spearheaded by the Clark International Airport and Corp. (CIAC) with the main intention to gain more attractions in Clark, Pampanga and plans to invite big international artists like Taylor Swift. 

The stadium is also in partnership with the ‘Build Better More’ program of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.’s administration. It will be situated at New Clark City (NCC) near the Clark International Airport (CRK) with an estimated seating capacity of 35,000 and a field that is able to host massive stages. Around 40 hectares of land are expected to be used for the said project. 

Additionally, CIAC CEO Arrey Perez has stated that it would have public-private partnerships, with companies from the United States and Singapore showing interest in the project. 

While the majority of the country’s public service infrastructures are very much lacking, such as in public schools, hospitals, and roads, this has been what was greenlit. The development of the NCC itself presents several issues because of its expensiveness, environmental damage, and mistreatment of indigenous communities. 

Although the stadium will be beside CRK, this does not mean that it will not cause any problems, as they would need to build more roads connecting the infrastructures inside the ‘smart’ city. This expansion, throughout the years, has led to the displacement of several Aeta tribes. 

In 2019, during the start of construction of NCC, at least 500 Aeta families were exiled to make roads connecting NCC to CRK, disrupting livelihoods and destroying culture by taking away lands that have been the home of their ancestors for several generations. 

Instead of focusing on improving the current infrastructures we have and supporting Filipinos, officials turn a blind eye and focus their attention to projects that would cater to foreign investors. 

What the government needs to do is straighten their priorities. Stop harassing indigenous groups in the name of ‘development,’ and start actually providing infrastructures that are people-centered, and maybe then we can invite Taylor Swift to the country. 

Their unpreparedness can also be seen during the announcement of the project, with the backdrop design image actually being the Midway Rising in San Diego, rather than a mock-up model of the proposed NCC stadium. CIAC then clarified that the San Diego stadium would be one of their inspirations, and the Department of Tourism had no involvement with the layout. 

I am a Swiftie. But if her Philippine concert comes at the expense of possible ancestral land-grabbing and further unsettling of indigenous communities, then maybe it is better for her show here to just stay as one of my wildest dreams. 

There is nothing wrong with hoping that Taylor Swift performs in the country. But it should happen when we are ready, why not focus on the current stadiums that we have? 

Rather than starting from scratch, we can improve on those that are already existing. Because what is another stadium if fans will not flock to the venue due to its distance? Most likely, the Mall of Asia Arena will still be the go-to for such events. Since fare, accomodation, and transportation are other aspects that fans need to think about when seeing their idols.    

If we really want the multi-Grammy award-winning singer to come back, be here, then there needs to be changes within our system that focuses too much on profit than the lives of the citizens they serve. Before indulging in leisure of fun and music, we must uplift the voices of those who are marginalized and are most affected. Because at the end of day before being a Taylor Nation full of Swifties, we are, first and foremost, Filipinos.    

(Photo Courtesy of PatrickRepublic via X)