MANILA -- Days before their much-awaited comeback concert in the Philippines, 2NE1 member Dara Park opened up about the excitement building up for their two-night sold-out show at the MOA Arena.

“Hindi ko ma-express in words kasi iba talaga para sa akin ang concert na ito. Babalik kami after 10 years, kasama ko ang 2NE1, dream come true para sa akin,” she told ABS-CBN News.

Park noted that months back she performed at the Mall of Asia Arena as part of a music festival, but this time it’s more special. “Ngayon kami lang, it’s our concert and kasama namin ang mga Blackjacks so grabe talaga, Iba talaga ang excitement ko,” she said, referring to 2NE1’s fans.

When the comeback concert was announced back in August, Parkl revealed that she was worried if having an arena show would still sell out.

“Noong una, worried talaga ako kasi alam nyo naman, hindi madaling ma-sold out ang isang arena. Alam niyo naman ‘yun. Ano kayang mangyayari kung hindi ma-sold out? Lagot ako, kasi si Boss YG sabi niya ‘Sandara, ikaw na bahala diyan sa Pilipinas ha?’ Oo naman, sobrang worried ako noon pero na-sold out ito in few minutes tapos may Day 2 pa, (sigh) I can sleep well,” she said.

Filo Blackjacks have been dusting their OG merch, lightsticks and 2NE1-inspired outfits in preps for the big weekend and Park said she’s been seeing a lot of those online.

“Nakikita ko ‘yung mga pictures and videos nila sa social media. Ngayon pa lang nakikita ko nasusuot na nila ‘yung mga official merch namin na bago! Ang bilis naman nila! Sobrang cute talaga!” she said.

Park said that truly, these PH shows is extra special not just for her, but also for her sisters.

“Sa mga fans ko, sa mga Daralings, at siyempre sa mga Blackjacks Philippines, maraming maraming salamat sa inyo. Kayo ang reason kung bakit nandito ako ngayon,” she said.

“Iba talaga ang feeling pag nagme-message ako sa mga fans. Mahal na mahal ko kayong lahat. Alam ninyo naman na Philippines is my second home. This is 2NE1’s second home. We can’t wait to go back to our second home and meet all of you!”

Asked about the things she has observed about Manila since she left and joined 2NE1, she said nothing much has changed.

“Nagbago lang ‘yung mga buildings na wala dati. Ngayon ang dami nang magagandang hotels. Pero ‘yung iba walang nagbago, ‘yung mga tao, friends ko, fans, food. Walang nagbago kaya mahal na mahal ko talaga ang Pilipinas and nakaka-miss talaga!” she said.

According to the former ABS-CBN star, performing on stage has always been the group’s biggest dream.

“Tinatanong nila, 15 years ago, nung nag-debut kami ano ‘yung mga dreams niyo? Ang dream namin magkaroon ng sariling concert. Hindi awards, wala yun. Gusto kasi namin ‘yung performance, performing onstage with the fans. ‘Yun talaga ang dream namin, mula noon hanggang ngayon. Lalo na ngayon na talagang bumalik na kami after 10 years. We want to meet our fans all over Asia, all over the world,” Park said.

Now that 2NE1 is doing this comeback tour, where does she see the group 10 years from now?

Candidly, she said, “Nasa isang restaurant kami, kumakain, nagla-live sa social media with our fans, celebrating our 25th year! Grabe. And feeling ko maganda pa rin ako, 10 years from now! Magaganda pa rin ‘yung mga girls, malakas pa rin ang friendship namin. Walang nagbago!”

But when we asked where does she see herself 10 years from now, Park paused for a bit and said, “Hindi ako sure, kasi hindi natin alam kung anong mangyayari bukas.”

“Pwedeng kasal na ako nun, pwedeng may baby na ako nun. Pero I think, ganun pa rin ako, I’ll be Dara of 2NE1, sana mag-perform pa rin ako after 10 years. Curious din ako, kung anong itsura ko, anong ginagawa ko after 10 years.”

But hopefully she said, “Healthy pa rin, sana!”