LONG live all the magic made true by Spotify PH as it brings the first and ultimate ‘This is Taylor Swift’ experience to the Philippines!

On Thursday, February 20, 2025, Spotify PH invited selected swifties (fans of Taylor Swift), artists, and content creators for an exclusive early access of the ‘This is Taylor Swift’, an immersive exhibit presented as Taylor Swift’s love letter to her fans. 

This is the first time that the experience is brought to the Philippines, while it premiered in other Asian countries like in Jakarta, Indonesia. Manila is next in line to host the experience, which will also head to Seoul, South Korea in the coming weeks. 

Good thing, republicasia was among the lucky ones to be the first to experience the exhibit in the Philippines (those articles really did pay off)! 

But no one has to be on their own, kid as our experience wouldn’t be complete without sharing it to our Swiftie audience. Taylor Swift might not have been able to bring the Eras Tour in the country, but this experience is her way of saying that she’s never forgotten about us! At least not the Philippines, who remains the second biggest listener of Swift’s music in the world! 

So make the friendship bracelets, gather your besties—we’re heading straight to the Eras!

This is Taylor Swift Philippines

After registering for the event, we received a small booklet outlining the exhibit’s stations before being ushered to the program area. 

It really looks like Spotify had done a great job with the event, as the program area itself was very— uh, what’s Gen Z’s favorite word?— ‘instagrammable’. 

The space was very well lit and Taylor Swift’s huge portrait from the ‘Red’ Era (Taylor’s Version, of course) welcomed the visitors as they entered the room. 

Spotify PH emphasized that the exhibit was created to celebrate Filipino Swifties and their dedication to listening to and supporting Taylor Swift’s music.

“Taylor Swift’s music shapes culture, sparks connection, and has set numerous worldwide records on Spotify. In the Philippines, her growth has been phenomenal, driven by the unstoppable energy of Filipino Swifties,” said Spotify’s Head of Music Southeast Asia, Kossy Ng.

“That’s why we’re excited to bring ‘This Is Taylor Swift: A Spotify Playlist Experience’ to Manila, celebrating her iconic musical eras with the fans who live and breathe her music.”

After a quick spiel, the exhibit officially opens. Everyone was excited to line up in the first room and present their booklet, which will be stamped as they go along the stations. 

Finally, let the games begin. 

The Great Collection

First stop was the Great Collection, which shows Taylor Swift’s 11 musical eras through the different screens. 

Each era features a song from her album and a trivia about it. 

What I like about this room is you really get to reflect on Taylor’s evolution not just as an artist but also as a woman. You see how her point of view developed from girlhood (with songs like Fearless, Enchanted) to womanhood (Lover, Marjorie). It’s also fascinating how her outlook about love evolved over time as you join her in her experiences. 

This enchanting introduction sets the tone for more magic to come. 

This is me writing

The ‘This is me writing’ room is perhaps one of my favorite parts of the exhibit as Spotify delivers its promise for an immersive experience. 

What I love the most about Taylor Swift, especially as a writer myself, were her captivating lyrics. This room really embodies that. 

Taylor’s lyrics come alive, cascading from ceiling to floor in a breathtaking light projection. They wash over your feet, as if you’re standing at the shore, letting the ocean carry Taylor Swift’s words to you by chance.

What I love most about this room is its surrealness, as though I was inside Taylor’s mind when she was writing her iconic songs. 

Message in a booth 

Another favorite of mine in the experience is the ‘Message in a booth’. Several phone booths line up with the black-and-white background of a cloudy and rainy sky, much like in the Fortnight music video. 

I love it because as much as the ‘This is me writing’ room is intimate, with the feeling like you are inside Taylor’s head, the ‘Message in a booth’ room allows you to talk to Taylor. Well, not personally as her message was pre-recorded. 

But still, there’s a certain joy in going inside one of those phone booths, dialing Taylor’s number (T-A-Y-L-O-R) as the facilitator reminded, and hearing her voice from the other side of the phone. 

Taylor’s message to me was about her song Anti-Hero from the Midnights era. There was something deeply comforting about hearing her voice so close, as she opened up about the insecurities that inspired the song. 

It reminded me of what I love most about being a Swiftie—the feeling of being truly understood, not just by a community, but by a global pop icon like Taylor Swift, who knows what it’s like to struggle with self-doubt and body image.

Hearing Taylor acknowledge her insecurities and seeing her go on despite the intense scrutiny and criticisms she receives make me feel that I am not alone in my battles. 

Chocolate Street

‘Message-in-a-booth’ is such an emotional experience that I’m glad that what came next after it was the warmth of a hot chocolate in the ‘Chocolate Street’ room. It was like being embraced by your friends after an intense crying session. 

The room was filled with warm lights and the smell of the brewing hot chocolate. On one side were Taylor’s albums displayed, on the other was a bar-like counter where you order your hot chocolate drink. 

After getting your drink, you’ll be offered a friendship bracelet (so sweet!). 

In the same room is the photobooth, where you get to take pictures, either alone or with your friends. There’s also a QR code in the booth so you might as well get the digital copy of your photo (with an edited GIF) and the physical copy. 

Now I see daylight

After enjoying each station, we were greeted by a hallway near the exit that features Taylor Swift’s success and achievements in the Philippines. You get to see in these posts what her top songs were and what milestones were achieved by Taylor Swift in the country, along with the Spotify PH. 

It was a perfect ending—a reminder of the love, dedication, and connection Swifties share with Taylor.

And as I stepped out of the exhibit, one lyric echoed in my mind:

“Now I see daylight.”