There’s a surplus supply of kidneys in the market right now.
Coldplay has finally confirmed that it is taking on Manila on April 4. But, like the lyrics of “The Scientist” goes, nobody said it was easy.
The tickets are expensive—VIP passes are worth P22,500 each (that’s more than our monthly salary)—no wonder people are planning to sell their internal organs just to catch the A Head Full of Dreams Tour.
Others, of course, are trying various methods to earn a ticket: Twitter user @cinephilliacy asked Liza Soberano if he could pawn her pretty face in exchange of tickets; netizens are asking “May RiteMed ba nito?”
People online have been comparing the Coldplay ticket prices of the Manila to the Singapore and Seoul legs. VIP tickets cost only SG$ 298 (P10,360.64) in Singapore and W154000 (P6,481.96) in Seoul.
This prompted us to compute which is more “sulit”—flying to Singapore or South Korea, or staying in, because if we’re breaking the bank just to see Coldplay, we want to make sure we’re getting our money’s worth.
SINGAPORE LEG
The British rock band will perform at National Stadium, the world’s largest covered retractable dome that can seat 55,000 people. It’s air-conditioned, too.
VIP
10,360.64 ($298)
AIRFARE
P5, 423.60 (via Jetstar, arrival at Changi: March 29, 12:45 a.m.; departure for Manila: April 2, 2:20 a.m.) We’re praying to the airline lords to bless us with a good old sale.
TRAVEL TAX
P1,620
UBER to Airport
P250 x 2 = 500
TRANSPORTATION
P1,043.02 ($30) (3-day unlimited Singapore Tourist Pass is worth $20; buy a 1-day unlimited pass because you’re staying for an extra day)
ACCOMMODATION
P2,852 (Airbnb, but we’re planning to crash at our cousin’s condo)
FOOD
P2,086.03 ($60)
Stay at hawker centers where food range from $2-$4; bottled water costs around $2
EXPENSES: 13, 524.65
THE PRICE OF OUR DREAMS IN SINGAPORE
23,885.29 (If God grants you VIP tickets)
SOUTH KOREA LEG
The eargasmic music of Coldplay will echo in the centerpiece of Seoul Sports Complex, the Seoul Olympic Stadium. It can accommodate 69,950 people.
VIP 6,481.96 (OMG HOW DID THIS FREAKING HAPPEN?????)
AIRFARE
P12,974 (via Cebu Pacific, arrival in Seoul at 7 a.m., April 15, departure for Manila at 1:40 a.m., April 16)
VISA PROCESSING FEE
Free
TRAVEL TAX
P1,620
UBER to Airport
P250 x 2 = 500
TRANSPORTATION
P841.41 (W20,000 via T-Money)
ACCOMMODATION
P1,229 (via Airbnb, and it’s near Seoul Olympic Stadium)
FOOD
P420.91 (W10,000, eat street food or opt for fast-food)
THE PRICE OF OUR DREAMS IN SEOUL
P24,067.28
MANILA LEG
Coldplay will grace the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds (yes, it’s flat), which can accommodate 30,000 people.
VIP A whopping P22,500
TRANSPORATION TO MOA CONCERT GROUNDS
UBER P600—but expect crazy surge of prices and heavy traffic
FOOD
P600 (pre- and post-concert meals, plus allocate a huge chunk on water because you’ll be screaming your lungs out and water is gold in MOA)
THE PRICE OF OUR DREAMS IN MANILA
P23,700