BEHIND ALL THE “#SECURED!” posts from excited fans, the thrill of securing tickets to see their favorite artists has turned into a battleground against the rising tide of scalpers. As fans eagerly anticipate the return of their beloved icons, they are confronted with not only soaring ticket prices, but also with the frustration of seeing their dreams get overshadowed by those looking to profit from their passion.
With all the icons coming back and forth in the Philippines, fans are pouring their hearts and souls into making their dreams a reality. Yet, the growing presence of scalpers, who view concerts as mere business opportunities, raises a pressing question: how can genuine fans hope to secure their tickets amid this exploitative environment?
A “Gutsy” announcement
Last September 10 Olivia Rodrigo surprised her Filipino fans by announcing her GUTS Tour date in the country. The news of her concert, which happened on October 5, sparked a mix of shock, excitement, and anxiety among fans who anticipated tough competitions for tickets. Priced at only Php1,500 for all sections, the tickets quickly attracted the interest of both fans and scalpers, creating worry about skyrocketing resale prices. Additionally, it was announced that all the net proceeds from this Manila stop would be donated to Jhpiego Philippines, a non-profit organization that focuses on women and children’s healthcare.
There are usually two ways to secure tickets for a concert: “camping” on-site and purchasing online. The term camping is used when fans go on-site and wait overnight outside the malls prior to the day of the ticket selling. However, purchasing on-site can also be used when the buyer only buys the ticket physically in the mall, without staying the night before. For other buyers, it’s a matter of purchasing online, where hopeful fans wake up early, armed with multiple devices and a stable Wi-Fi connection, ready to join the virtual queue.
Behind their desperation
Fans would dedicate their time to achieving their goal: to see their favorite artist. Without hesitation, those opting to camp come prepared with packed meals and fully charged power banks, ready for a night under the stars with fellow fans.
On the other hand, those who prefer buying tickets online would intently wake up early, anticipating the start of the online queue. In most cases, they would have two to three gadgets prepared and a stable Wi-Fi connection in hopes of securing their spot as soon as sales begin. For three or more hours, these die-hard fans are willing to burn their eyes out while guarding carefully for their turn.
Between these efforts requires patience and determination. Jerziel Romaine Farol, a student from the Department of Political Science and a seasoned concertgoer since 2019, shared her experience with camping for the GUTS Tour ticket selling that took place on September 29, 2024.
“Imagine, alas-sais nando’n na ‘ko. Ine-expect ko, dahil 6:00 nando’n na ‘ko, ano, kumbaga okay pa–maikli pa lang ‘yung pila,” Farol explained, noting her disappointment when she realized that even her early start might not secure her a ticket. Nevertheless, Farol also showed her “sympathy” for the situation of others who had been present since the end of mall hours.
Standing against scalpers
“Kung hindi ako makakakuha, hindi ako makakakuha.” As the number of scalpers continuously increased, they provoked the utmost hatred from society. Maria Katrina Castillo, a senior from the Department of Political Science, criticized the doings of these scalpers, saying “Dinadagdagan nila ng additional price ‘yung original ticket, at hindi very reasonable ‘yung dinadagdag nila kasi sometimes doble pa nung original price ‘yung binibigay nila…”
Castillo also added that the consequence of hoarding tickets could result in an unfortunate event because the sellers are not guaranteed that they will achieve the benefit they are assuming, which could place them on the losing side.
From the lens of an expert
“The price should be leveled for everyone. You cannot call it a fair market if the prices are not standardized and the number of tickets in the market is not standardized,” noted Prof. Gregorio Borja III, MPE, CPE, the Chairperson of the Department of Marketing Management of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).
Prof. Borja explained that scalping cannot be considered a marketing strategy because “marketing strategies should be pro-consumers” and should be a “win-win situation between the seller and the consumer.”
When asked what should be done to prevent scalping, he explained that “almost definitely the sources, the ones that distribute, will have to be very meticulous and conscious of their dealers. License them as much as possible. Who are the only entities allowed to actually carry the tickets for selling because if you just allow anyone, then these people will have the power to actually raise the price, correct?”
The rise of ticket scalping has turned the exciting experience of attending concerts into a frustrating challenge for Filipino concertgoers. As fans confront opportunistic scalpers, they are left questioning a system that prioritizes profit over passion. Fan communities have begun to voice their concerns, highlighting the need for stricter regulations to protect against unfair practices. As discussions about ticket scalping progress, many fans hope for a fair solution that preserves the integrity of live music events while addressing their interests.
(with Myrna Ydwina Xialea Pelayo & Maegan Belicena)