Dionela’s ‘The Grace Tour’ Manila Delivers A Night of Glory And Gratitude — Review

This past weekend, Dionela brought his The Grace World Tour to Manila after shows in the United States and Canada. More than just a typical concert, the chart-topping R&B artist not only serenades the crowd with his hits but also dedicates time to a night of worship and gratitude.

Right from the start, I knew it was all going to be a treat to hear him sing live; however, I wasn’t expecting a full-on choir that made the night even more majestic. The audience immediately got up on their feet once Dionela entered from the crowd, marching his way to the stage, backed by a full LED setup that gave a peek at The Grace Choir and band on the back portion of the stage. With the show directed by Paolo Valenciano, you immediately know you’re in for something truly worth seeing live.

Fans immediately went berserk when he played the first few songs in the setlist, such as “Okishina,” “Langit,” and “Hoodie,” the latter featuring fellow R&B artist Alisson Shore for their collab track. It was all smooth sailing from there, with Dionela proving why the studio versions don’t give his vocal range and prowess true justice. That night, he owned the stage and swooned the audience in a manner that offered space for those in love, yearning for love, or just there to have a good time.

Things took an unexpected turn when he talked to the crowd and opened up. Coming from an artist with his current status to where he is now, to be vulnerable and honest with his emotions is a tell-tale sign that, despite his successes, Dionela continues to stay humble. He is vocal about his faith and relationship with God, and the overall tour is a testament to his journey — not just as a musician but as a human being. Not a lot of artists can be this emotionally vulnerable, even in front of thousands of people. But for Dionela, the stage is too big not to seize the opportunity.

A highlight of the night was when he brought out his longtime girlfriend, Meizy Mendoza, to the stage. As he continued to chat with the crowd, Dionela gradually let the moment sink in and knelt down to propose to the love of his life. With concerts and live music events being a common place for proposals from the audience, it’s not that common to have the main attraction of the concert do it. His proposal adds so much more to the person behind the songs we have witnessed—and were about to witness performed live — revealing not just his musicality but also peeling back layers of himself bit by bit.

Packed with the backstory and storytelling from the “Marilag” hitmaker, the moment felt just right, knowing a bit more of his life and what he has gone through. With the tour aptly titled “The Grace,” you get a sense of why this was chosen. Apart from carrying with him the wonders and goodness his faith has brought to him, it becomes much more meaningful knowing that he’ll also be donating all of his concert proceeds to the victims of Typhoon Uwan.

It was all romantic to witness, but even with this moment, you get to know Dionela not as the singer but as Tim, who has journeyed through public bashing. He explains that he can let it slide when people online talk about his looks, his music, and all, but when they attack him as a person —that’s where he draws the line.

This connection with the audience throughout the night amplifies the passion you can feel in his performances. Songs like “153” pierce even deeper, showing Dionela as a person and not just someone on stage offering his artistry. “Ikigai,” where he brought out the local hip-hop/rap scene’s finest, Loonie, becomes a performance made to be heard live. Meanwhile, hearing “Musika” feels sweet to the ears, especially as Dionela draws from his deep love for his now-fiancée. Not to mention how Dionela leads the crowd in singing as well, with the audience — as he noted — being part of The Grace Choir even for just one night.

The crowd erupted when “Marilag” played, and with JRoa performing alongside Dionela, the night felt far too early to end. For those familiar with the tour’s setlist, the final few songs feature praise and worship tracks such as “Oceans” and “How Great Is Our God.” I grew up listening to some of these songs in church, and I couldn’t have imagined reminiscing about those moments at a concert of an OPM R&B artist. But with his vocal caliber, it all falls right into place.

To say the least, there was a “blessing” energy that filled the venue. To top it off, musical duo Project: Romeo, JRoa, and The Grace Choir accompanied Dionela in singing these worship songs. Despite differences in the crowd, including faith backgrounds, there was a genuine sense of welcome for all walks of life in this setting. Everyone has the right to worship — whether returning to their faith, still finding their way, or simply there to experience the power of music.

Adding to the night, Dionela introduced the audience to his pastor, James Aiton of Favor Church. With a brief sermon that never felt preachy — a point he addressed early on — it offered insight into Dionela beyond the music. From barely drawing a crowd while performing in bars to struggling with depression during one of the most challenging periods of his life, this segment of the concert highlighted how Dionela found his way back and became even stronger. I could feel the atmosphere shift for a moment. Despite the different beliefs across the room, it still felt like a safe space where we could sing in worship, no matter what we believe in.

“sining” served as the encore, as after the praise and worship, Dionela capped off the first night of his two sold-out shows at the New Frontier Theater with another chart-topping track. He brought out the “Queen of R&B” herself, Kyla, to fill in the shoes of Jay R. This duet further fulfills his promise to let the audience have fun and leave the show with big smiles. It felt celebratory and a testament to where Dionela is now. “Blessed” is an understatement, and you can’t help not to feel happy for him with what he has right now, which also shows the strength he continues to embody with the price that comes with fame.

Overall, the concert encapsulates a living, breathing testament to Dionela’s journey and the limitless potential he still has when it comes to holding a packed, visually pleasing, and masterful show. Through songs that speak of the heart, faith, and life itself, The Grace Tour succeeds in making me — and the rest of the audience — forget the worries and struggles we face in our day-to-day lives. With Dionela’s music, whether you love it or you’re not a fan, you can’t deny that this man has got it all.