With ‘THIS IS FOR’, TWICE Deliver A Heartfelt Spectacle Dedicated To ONCE – Review

Ever since their debut in 2015, TWICE have always found a second home in the Philippines.

Over the years, the beloved K-pop girl group has established a devoted following here in the country, resulting in countless chart-topping hits on the local charts, numerous sold-out shows, and an overwhelming amount of love, both online and in-person, from their fanbase of ONCE. 

Each new milestone of the group’s members, NAYEON, JIHYO, JEONGYEON, DAHYUN, CHAEYOUNG, MINA, TZUYU, SANA, and MOMO, has become the cause for celebration to millions of listeners across the country, bringing an infectious amount of joy with every song they’ve released. Because here in the Philippines, their signature hit songs like “What Is Love?,” “FANCY,” “Feel Special,” and even their recent title track, “THIS IS FOR,” have all become an anthem of sorts to almost every Filipino out there.

Following their massive (and sold out) set of shows from their READY TO BE World Tour in 2023, TWICE have finally made their long-awaited return to the Philippines, now bringing an even bigger showcase than before with the ‘THIS IS FOR’ World Tour — one that is right on time for their tenth anniversary as a group. 

With tickets to the show (once again) officially sold out, there was no question as to how full the Philippine Arena was this time around. Even before entering the arena itself, the sense of community among the 55,000+ ONCE that were present for the show was undeniable. Across the venue’s 350-acre compound, thousands of audience members were decked out in t-shirts dedicated to their favorite members, even wearing their newly purchased concert merchandise, while others even donned full cosplay outfits that paid homage to the group’s outfits from the “THIS IS FOR” music video and concept photos. Several fans also partook in the exchange of gifts, while many even gave away freebies such as free banners and custom photocards that celebrated TWICE and all of their members.  

As impressive as that was, nothing could prepare you for the stage design that awaited within the venue, for the massive 360-degree stage that lay at the center was even more impressive than you could imagine. Four sizable LED screens hung above the center of the stage, with an array of lights and lasers ready to be turned on at any moment. And in a rare sight, all four corners of the arena were filled to the brim with people, including the often-shrouded section behind the stage. 

A little past 7 PM, the lights then began to dim, with the spacious arena lit only by the massive sea of candy bongs that glowed pink to the opening beat and tune of “FOUR.” The LED screens then began playing a gorgeous visualizer that introduced each member of TWICE (including the  JEONGYEON, whose video appearance was met with rapturous applause). With the moving stage’s shifting boxes, the group’s members were revealed one by one until the song’s end — immediately transitioning into their performance of “THIS IS FOR,” which one could barely hear over the thousands of ONCE singing in unison. 

The barrage of hits that followed soon after comprised of hits like “Strategy,” “MAKE ME GO,” “SET ME FREE,” and “I CAN’T STOP ME,” which were executed fantastically by the group. More vocal-heavy numbers like “OPTIONS” and “MARS” saw the group sit among rising blocks on stage, while fan-favorites like “MOONLIGHT SUNRISE” and “I GOT YOU” had them moving around the arena to wave, say hello, and even pose for the ONCE nearby. Notable hits like “The Feels,” “Gone,” and “Cry For Me” further entranced the audience, while sleeper tracks like “HELL IN HEAVEN” and “RIGHT HAND GIRL” were similarly received with an overwhelming amount of cheers and woops from the crowd. 

Despite the absence of a member, their infectious energy was able to reach everyone from General Admission, Lower Box, to the Standing section, proving just how much stage presence they have as a unit. And while certain parts of the first two acts of the show featured technical issues (such as malfunctioning in-ear monitors and fluctuating, low-volume microphones), the members of TWICE rose to the occasion and dealt with each hurdle professionally. Just look at JIHYO, who despite a low-volume microphone, took it upon herself to belt even more, showcasing her commitment to excellence as a performer.

For the show’s third act, each member delivered a solo performance that teased their upcoming tenth anniversary album, TEN: The Story Goes On. TZUYU kicked off the section with her solo “Dive In,” followed by MINA’s rendition of “STONE COLD” — both of which were executed with intricate choreography numbers. NAYEON brought out her signature bubbly energy with “MEEEEEE!” while DAHYUN also showcased her skills as a pianist with “CHESS.” 

CHAEYOUNG gave the Philippine audience our first performance of “SHOOT (Firecracker)” from her debut studio album LIL FANTASY vol. 1, and JIHYO delivered yet another high-octane performance with her solo “ATM.” SANA’s “DECAFFEINATED” stole the hearts of ONCE, and even MOMO enthralled with the crowd with her performance of “MOVE LIKE THAT,” even as we were left wanting more. 

After asking the crowd if they enjoyed such teasers off their new record, JIHYO assembled her fellow members to give the audience another glimpse off the album’s title track, “ME + YOU,” which built even more hype and excitement among the crowd. They then moved on to the final act of their setlist, which honored their classics like “FANCY,” “What Is Love?,” “YES or YES,” “Dance The Night Away,” “Feel Special,” and a sparkly, confetti-filled rendition of “ONE SPARK.”

Each of them took the time to get closer with the audience, interacting with them by sending finger hearts, passing on the microphone to the crowd, and even getting some people’s phones to film their performances from an on-stage perspective. Throughout each of these numbers, everyone found themselves singing along from the bottom of their hearts, reflecting just how immense the passion ONCE hold for TWICE. Several members of the audience also partook in the on-camera dance offs prior to the show’s encore, giving their all as they mimicked the dances and choreography that the group has become well known for.

With the night’s encore performance of “SIGNAL” and “Talk That Talk,” it was evident that this was unlike your usual concert to bear witness to. For what transpired in the Philippine Arena last weekend was not just a showcase of TWICE’s ever-impressive performance skills, but also a heartfelt spectacle that was made for and dedicated to their fanbase of ONCE. 

As the final chorus of “Talk That Talk” rang through the Philippine Arena, a wave of emotion swept over both TWICE and the tens of thousands of ONCE who had waited years for this moment –– especially as the members took their final bow on stage. This wasn’t just a concert — it was a reunion, a homecoming, and a love letter all in one between a group and their fans who have grown together throughout every era, every challenge, and every triumph. From the sea of glowing candy bongs to the voices that sang every lyric by heart, it’s undeniable that the night marked a living testament to the unshakable bond TWICE shares with their Filipino ONCE — one that is built on trust, joy, and years of shared memories that continue to multiply.

Over the past ten years, TWICE’s journey on the international music scene has been nothing short of extraordinary, but it’s their relationship with ONCE that has truly made it meaningful. In every corner of the world (and especially here in the Philippines), that love has only grown stronger, louder, and more vibrant. Even after a decade, the magic hasn’t faded — if anything, it burns brighter than ever. And as TWICE stood on stage, pouring their hearts into every note and gesture, it was clear that this isn’t the end of an era, but the beginning of a new chapter — one where their story, and the story they continue to write with ONCE, will carry on for the next ten years and beyond.

As we anticipate TWICE’s forthcoming tenth anniversary album, revisit THIS IS FOR in its entirety below: