I first encountered Akie, still with Lez2Men, when they got on stage after the main drag show all the way back on 26 August 2019 (technically Sunday night). It was a wild moment, and I managed to record the performance, which was a bit of a rarity, especially at that time of the night. At the time, I thought it was just going to be some random thing, but the Lez2Men went on to perform at various big O Bar events. I don't think we got to interact in any meaningful way back then, but such is the way of things.
Fast-forward to after the pandemic lockdown period, and Akie reappeared at O Bar together with Meech, and they started as a guest duo, mainly during events. We really got to bond with them more once they got a preshow jamming slot on Friday nights before the main show. Since we're the type of guests to arrive well before midnight, we'd catch the show and get to talk to the group more - eventually called the O2Men.
The O2Men roster has shifted and evolved over the years. From an initial duo, the group now consists of 5 different talented lesbian singers who really bring something special to the show. And they're no longer limited to event nights or Friday nights. The O2Men are a regular part of every O Bar night, with at least 4 big numbers and the jamming preshow, which is now on Thursday nights. I now have at least 854 published videos featuring the O2Men on my YouTube channel. Crazy.
Last night was Akie's birthday show, and it was a great celebration of what a difference it makes ot have live singing as part of the O Bar performance library. And I loved how they got to leverage the fact that Akie has a featured role in Bongga Ka, 'Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical, which in itself is a tremendously well-deserved opportunity. We know how talented Akie is, and even more people are going to experience her amazing vocal range. Akie has been a central driver in growing the O2Men into what they are today, and I feel like last night was also a celebration of her contributions to the bar's growth and development over the years. And I've had some pretty meaningful conversations with Akie, and she really speaks with the same love and passion about the bar as some of the other longtime performers. It takes a particular kind of craziness to love O Bar as much as we do, and I see that spark in her, too. That has Akie in a particular circle of people who really drive O Bar's success.
I recognize that in many ways, Tobie and I have become champions for O Bar's expanded entertainment roster. We love the O Divas, no doubt, but a lot of people love the Divas as well and shower them with a lot of attention. But the full O Bar experience has grown beyond just the queens. What continues to make O Bar a literal tourist destination is the collaboration of all the different talents who put so much effort into making each O Bar night special. This is why we do what we can to support and celebrate the O Boys. This is why we make time to catch the O2Men preshows and bond with them by jamming and celebrating their performances as well. We even have unique friendships with many of the O Ledge. All this just stresses that O Bar is truly family to us, and the bar is so much greater than the sum of its already talented elements.
Akie has done so much to make the O2Men a true singing group and an essential part of O Bar's continuing legacy, and we fully recognize that and hope more people do, too. This is going to be a truly GREAT year for Akie. I just know it.
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