Liam Gallagher Live in Manila is the gig where 'all your dreams are made' 

Yup, I admit it: I am man-crushing.

It took me ages but I finally found the words befitting my 20-year fanaticism to the chap who his most loyal fans will argue as the greatest, most enigmatic frontman ever.

It was in the 2000's when it was announced that British rock band Oasis was coming to Manila. Due to global securtiy concerns then, the show was cancelled.

I lost all hope that I will ever get to see the brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, the two most (or perhaps the only) important members of Oasis.

Jump-cut to Aug 14, 2017, MOA Arena, and there I was — all grown-up and 10 years older than Liam actually was when Oasis released the "Be Here Now" album in 1997.

In his first solo world tour, I finally caught him live. Just a few meters away, there he was.

The man. The voice. The jacket.

Liam Gallagher in Manila. All photos by Cedric Castillo

I have always wondered: If Liam ever makes it to the Philippines, will he be donning his trademark coat zipped up all the way to the neck in this sweltering tropics?

In MOA, he blurted out, "Someone please turn down the f*cking A/C or we might catch f*cking pneumonia," in that deep, thick, Manchester accent.

It must be through years and years of idolizing him that I was able to understand what he said at all.

Liam looked exactly the way he did in pictures; exactly the way I used to imitate him being in a band myself years ago.

The slim frame, the snappy-looking jacket, tapered jeans, and, oh yeah, the British mod hairstyle — same cut I sported (unsuccessfully) for my high school yearbook.

I was seeing live his iconic stance: arms crossed behind his back, head tilted up, his upper lip touhing the microphone.

The upright mic stand (never the bending type usually reserved for guitarists) was as always propped up slightly higher than Liam. It has always been, for me, symbol of this frontman's paradoxical persona — stagnant but electric.

I was a fan to Oasis as they were to The Beatles. Noel was once asked if he admits imitating The Fab Four. His reply: Who wouldnt? They were the best.

When the instruments came banging all at once, the arena went wild.

"Tonight....I'm a Rock and Roll Star," screamed Liam. Those words encapsulate what performing on stage is all about: the music and the bond between performer and crowd.

Next on the set was "Morning Glory" with its intro rhythm that sounds and feels like crunch time in a tied ballgame. The tempo escalates to a riotous beat and segues to Liam's high pitch.

No words other than Liam's could describe the moment better.

"All your dreams are made....."

Perhaps like millions from their following, I am guilty of one mortal sin any fan can commit — outgrowing his heroes.

After "Standing on the Shoulder of Giants" in 2000, I stopped buying their records. The songs started to sound alike. The infamous row between Liam and Noel was getting too old a publicity stunt.

And like most rock and roll bands anywhere on the planet, Oasis faded away.

Having heard that millenials, as a generation, may be clueless who Liam Gallagher is leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

His arrival in NAIA last Sunday was no fanfare and no media circus. The arena was only half-filled and tickets were upgraded for free hours before Liam took to the stage.

Days before the release of his solo album "As You Were", Liam was quoted saying he will walk away from the industry and just write songs "for pleasure" if this record flops and no one turns up in his shows.

But in Manila, we, his most loyal brethren, showed up.

We wailed to the tune of "D'You know what I mean?", raised our cellphone torches as Liam belts "Slide Away", sat down but still cheered through a string of his new songs, and rose up again to thank the high heavens for one of life's masterpieces: "Wonderwall".

Yes, we were kids again.

I may never know the barometer by which Liam decides whether to call it quits or to keep singing.

But I do know in my heart, I will forever fancy zipping my jacket all the way up to my neck.

Liam Gallagher: 'I think I'm a fantastic chap' — LA, GMA News