U2 pays homage to Filipino women in first PH concert

MANILA, Philippines — Irish rock band U2 paid homage to and shared the spotlight with Filipino women and other notable female personalities from all over the world during their historic first concert in the country.

When the women of the world gets to re-write history as her story. THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY. #SmartU2TourPH #SmartMusicLive pic.twitter.com/D7xzWXUdDD

— SMART (@LiveSmart) December 11, 2019

As they performed their 1991 song “Ultra Violet (Light My Way)” Wednesday night, the screen on the stage displayed photos of notable Filipinas including Philippine Revolutionary heroine Melchora Aquino, former president Corazon Aquino, senator Pia Cayetano, Broadway icon Lea Salonga, journalist Maria Ressa, and more.

Also displayed on the screen were photos of women activist groups #BabaeAko movement, One Billion Rising movement and Grrrl Gang Manila.

Women from all over the world like young climate change activist and Time magazine’s Person of the Year Greta Thunberg, protest punk group Pussy Riot, comedian, and host Ellen DeGeneres, among others, were also highlighted during the concert.

“Women who light up history, your own Maria Ressa is an incredible woman. But even Maria will say it’s not about individuals. It’s about collective action. It’s about social movement so that all of you will grow up to be the president or Maria Ressa,” U2’s lead vocalist Bono said after the song.

Ressa, over her Twitter account, expressed thanks to the band saying: “Thank you,  @U2 !! #U2Manila #U2TheJoshuaTree2019 for the inspiration, the love to  help #HoldTheLine & #ShineTheLight.”

Thank you, @U2!! #U2Manila #U2TheJoshuaTree2019 for the inspiration, the love to help #HoldTheLine & #ShineTheLight https://t.co/6Bl8EXOO3b

— Maria Ressa (@mariaressa) December 11, 2019

Salonga also took to social media to thank the band: “Woke up this morning to at least ten messages with photos because my photo was on the projection wall during U2’s Ultra Violet. Wow, I am dead. Thank you for those messages, friends, and thank you, U2 for including me! Honored!”

Woke up this morning to at least ten messages with photos because my photo was on the projection wall during U2’s Ultra Violet. Wow, I am dead. Thank you for those messages, friends, and thank you, U2 for including me! Honored!

— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) December 12, 2019

U2 has played “Ultra Violet (Light My Way)” to pay homage to women throughout their tour.

During their previous stop in South Korea, the band noted some of their notable women like K-pop singer Sulli who recently passed away, prosecutor Seo Ji-hyun, who brought attention to South Korea’s “Me Too” movement, South Korea’s first female civilian pilot Park Kyung-won, and more. #