How Jay Park Kept It Sexy in Manila

It took six years for globally renowned singer-songwriter Jay Park to find his way back to the Philippines.  

But ask fans of the one-time 2PM leader whose “Serenades & Body Rolls” world tour made a stop here recently, and they’ll probably say Jay Park more than made up for the long absence. A spectacular showcase literally lived up to the show title. There was singing and rapping through a considerable and diverse setlist from ballads to R&B to hip-hop, and dancing with seemingly boundless energy despite Jay’s admission that he was a little under the weather.

Esquire Philippines interviewed Jay Park backstage before the big show

And yes, there were “body rolls” as well—a sexy dance move where a person “rolls” from the head, down through the chest and belly, all the way down to the hips.  

ALSO READ

SB19’s 'Simula at Wakas' Was a Show for the Ages

At Wanderland 2025, the Theme Was Nostalgia

There seems to be nothing Jay Park can’t do. Besides music, he is also the COO of More Vision, a label he established in 2022. As of this writing, there are four artists—aside from Park, of course—that are featured on the company’s official page. Additionally, he owns Won Soju, a beverage company offering distilled soju globally. Park has appeared in movies and televisions shows, opened for acts such as Ne-Yo, and was under rapper Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label at one point. 

For his Manila stint last June 28, Park performed more than 34 songs at the New Front Theater last June 28, including hits “Ganadara,” “All I Wanna Do,” “Keep It Sexy,” “Mommae,” “Taxi Blurr,” “Like I Do,” and “Joah.” Korean DJ Wagun was also on stage for the show that the headliner described as divided in two parts: “more singing” and “more dancing.” The two-hour concert promoted by Live Nation Philippines also featured a duet of Park and Filipino actress and singer Maymay Entrata. 

“I grew up with a lot of Filipino greatness,” he addressed fans, recalling his beginnings in Seattle in the United States where was born. Online stories tell of Park’s early interest in rapping and dancing during his high school days. “I know (you) can sing and dance very well. I had a lot of Filipino friends growing up. I get a lot of inspiration from Filipinos. (You are a) very talented group.”

Things Filipino seemed to have stuck with Jay, including the phrase “boom panis” that has been around since at least 2014. Literally, the term “boom” means, of course, to explode, while “panis” means rotten. Figuratively, it’s an expression used after someone has said or done something impressive. 

And while Park wanted to impress with the term, he said someone told him it was too old to use in 2025. Humorously, he kept using it all night during his spiels in an attempt, he admitted, “to look cool,” including when he was about to take off his shirt and do a body roll. He’s probably the only artist to sing, dance, and mutter “boom, panis!” at the same time and still have girls of all ages lose their minds and scream.

When he asked for an alternative, he was taught the phrase “Masarap ka” (You’re yummy). “Is that how you greet each other?” he asked the crowd. “Like ‘Mabuhay! (Hello) Masarap ka! Boom Panis!” It was hard to believe he was under the weather that day. 

As Jay Park concert tradition dictates, some fans threw underwear onstage in time for the Mommae performance. Each item was collected by the singer, placed in his singlet close to his chest then taken off all at the same time. He fetched a bra and put in on his head, then wore his cap over it. 

Seventeen Years

“Serenades & Body Rolls” is Jay’s second world tour in the close to two decades he has been performing. Debuting as the leader of K-Pop idol group 2PM in 2008, Park left the group after just a  year due to controversy. Later, it was revealed that Park’s reflections of his early struggles in the country were wrongly interpreted. Fans demanded his return to 2PM.

In 2010, Park launched a YouTube channel to share his music and eventually signed with a different label. The rest, as they say, is history for the multi-awarded artist. Today he is an influential figure in the music scene in Korea, credited for strengthening the presence and acceptance of hip-hop there.

“My openness is a big advantage,” he exclusively told Esquire Philippines when asked about his creative process during a conversation prior to the show. “It’s also very exhausting but I think it’s (great) to have. I’m not closed-minded. For me, nothing is unexpected just because I kind of go with the flow.” 

Park says he would like to expand his already versatile repertoire to include rock music. “I like punk rock,” he revealed. “I like the attitude. I’m very open to all genres because I know I can make it my own.”  

Everything inspires him, he said. “You learn something in every aspect—as a son, a friend, a human being, a CEO, or someone who takes accountability or is responsible for other people,” he explained. “Or as an artist, when I create music or have people that support me and listen to my stuff. It all shapes and forms in a different way.”

Before ending the night, Park announced the release of a new song in July and the launch of idol groups from his label coming out next year. “They’re dope. They’re like little (versions of myself) but they are bigger than me,” he joked.  

“I’ve been around for a long time,” he continued. “It’s a good thing. I’m still here. Thanks to you guys. There’s so much more to come.”