BLACKPINK Deadline World Tour Manila Day 2 Review: Highlights, Setlist, and My Concert Experience | #BenchPaylaBlog

Some experiences entertain you for a night.

Others stay with you for a lifetime.

Last November 23, 2025, I had the opportunity to attend Day 2 of BLACKPINK’s “DEADLINE” World Tour in Manila. After many years of being a fan, I finally saw the group perform LIVE.

It was not just another concert for me.

It was a long-awaited dream fulfilled.

As a 30-something fan balancing work, responsibilities, and adult life, this experience felt more meaningful and personal than I expected.

A Long Time Coming

I have followed BLACKPINK for several years.

Like many BLINKs, I supported their music through streaming, online performances, and late-night comeback releases. However, attending their concert was always postponed due to schedule conflicts or other priorities.

As adults, we often place our hobbies and interests last. Work and responsibilities come first. Concerts become optional. But when the Manila stop of the “DEADLINE” tour was announced, I made a decision. This time, I will go.

As Bench Payla, the blogger behind Don Byahero PH, I attend many events for coverage and content. However, this concert was different. I attended not as a blogger, but simply as a fan.

And that made the experience more genuine.

The Atmosphere Before the Show

Even outside the venue, the excitement was already noticeable.

Fans filled the area wearing black and pink outfits, carrying lightsticks, banners, and photocards. Groups were taking photos, exchanging merchandise, and sharing their favorite BLACKPINK memories.

What stood out to me most was the sense of community.

Although many of us were strangers, we shared one common interest. That connection made the environment warm and welcoming.

For a moment, age and background did not matter. Everyone was there for the same reason — to support BLACKPINK.

The Moment the Concert Began

When the lights inside the arena suddenly went out, the entire crowd grew louder. The opening video played, the music started, and thousands of fans cheered together. Then BLACKPINK appeared on stage.

It was a simple moment, but it felt surreal. After years of watching them only through screens, seeing them live and standing just meters away was difficult to process. They felt real and present in a way that videos could never fully capture.

I realized then that this was exactly why live concerts are special.

A World-Class Performance

BLACKPINK’s stage presence was impressive from beginning to end.

Each member brought her own strength to the performance:

• Jennie’s confidence and aura.
• Lisa’s powerful dance breaks.
• Rosé’s emotional and stable live vocals, though she's still a bit sick since D1.
• Jisoo’s elegance and warm interaction with the crowd.

Together, they created a show that was both professional and engaging.

P.S.: Enhanced through a photo editor as this shot of mine was very blurry.

The production quality was also remarkable — from the lighting and stage design to the choreography and visuals. Every detail was carefully planned.

It was clear that the group values giving their fans the best possible experience.

[ BLACKPINK DEADLINE World Tour – Manila Day 2 Setlist ]

1. Kill This Love
2. Pink Venom
3. How You Like That
4. Playing With Fire
5. Shut Down

JISOO Solo Stage

6. Hugs & Kisses
7. earthquake

LISA Solo Stage

8. Thunder
9. FXCK UP THE WORLD

Group Stage

10. Pretty Savage
11. Don't Know What to Do
12. Whistle
13. Stay
14. Lovesick Girls

JENNIE Solo Stage

15. like JENNIE
16. ExtraL
17. Starlight

ROSÉ Solo Stage

18. Call it the End
19. Toxic Till the End
20. APT.

Final Set

21. JUMP
22. BOOMBAYAH
23. DDU-DU DDU-DU
24. As If It's Your Last
25. Forever Young

Encore

26. JUMP
27. Really
28. Tally

Rediscovering the Joy of Being a Fan

During the concert, I slowly stopped thinking about taking photos or creating content. Instead, I chose to simply enjoy the moment.

I sang along to the songs.

I cheered with the crowd.

I waved my lightstick without hesitation.

For a few hours, I forgot about deadlines, responsibilities, and daily stress.

I was not a blogger or an adult managing tasks. I was simply a fan — happy and fully present. It reminded me that we all need moments like this. Moments where we allow ourselves to enjoy life without pressure.

Memorable Highlights

Several parts of the night remain clear in my memory:

The strong opening performance that energized the entire arena.

The crowd singing together during Rosé’s parts.

Lisa’s dance breaks drew loud cheers.

Jennie confidently interacts with Manila fans, though she's a bit disappointed about the traffic.

Jisoo’s sincere smiles and heartfelt messages. The sea of pink lightsticks during the encore was Jisoo's highlight too.

And finally, the group’s closing bow — a simple gesture of gratitude that felt genuine and touching. These small details made the experience unforgettable.

 

More Than Just a Concert

Looking back, this event meant more to me than I expected. It was not only about music or entertainment.

It was about finally fulfilling a promise to myself.

It was about reconnecting with something I loved for years.

And it was about creating a memory that I will always remember.

As someone who writes about lifestyle and experiences through Don Byahero PH, I often say that the best stories come from moments that make you feel truly alive.

This was one of those moments.

Final Thoughts

If there is one lesson I learned from this experience, it is this: Do not postpone the things that bring you joy. Opportunities pass quickly, and time moves fast. But meaningful experiences stay with us.

Watching BLACKPINK live during the “DEADLINE” World Tour in Manila was a simple dream that took years to achieve. Yet when it finally happened, it was worth every wait.

For me, Bench Payla — a 30-something Blink and the man behind Don Byahero PH— this concert will always be remembered as a milestone.

A night of music.

A night of community.

A night I will never forget.

Truly, one for the books.

Thank you for reading. Catch you in the next one!

-BENCH