An overflow crowd was on hand to witness the Tantra Grand Launch held at the SM Megamall last February 25-26, 2005. The two-day shindig was a massive double celebration that featured free gaming, livewire rock band, tons of Tantra freebies being given away and cool games and contests. Turnout from the two events was estimated to have numbered well into the thousands.

Serving as the initial salvo was the 2nd Tantra Grand eyeball held at the Megastrip grounds from 7pm-11pm of February 25. Registrants were given Tantra giveaways like caps, stickers, CD installers and posters that were handed out by the charming Tantra maidens. The Megastrip grounds was transformed into a veritable cybergaming haven as gamers took turns playing Tantra for free with 25 high-end Red Fox gaming PC’s brought specifically for the event.

Among the ABS-CBN bigwigs and honchos who graced the occasion were Cito Alejandro (President, ABS-CBN Broadcasting), Carlo Katigbak (COO, Skycable), Connie Nolasco-Lopez (Head, ABS-CBN Multimedia), Paolo Pineda (Head, ABS-CBN Interactive), Nick Gabunada (VP for Sales), Eugene Paden (Technical Director, ABSI) and Mark Lopez (Head, EMVI-Meralco).

The irrepressible Archie Alemania and up-and-coming TV personality Kat Alano ushered in the night’s festivities as they hosted the mini-concert which featured electrifying performances from The irrepressible Archie Alemania and up-and-coming TV personality Kat Alano ushered in the night’s festivities as they hosted the mini-concert which featured electrifying performances from Sandwich, Milk and Money, and Blue Ketchup. In between-sets, several attendees were able to take home cool prizes courtesy of sponsors like Gentxt, Microsoft and Redfox.

While the bands were rocking the house, the Tantra booth was swamped with Tantra fanatics who patiently waited for their turns to play their favorite online game. The musical jam and free gaming lasted until midnight.

The spacious SM Megamall Cyberzone was the venue for the 2nd day of the Tantra Grand Launch for the all-day free gaming and celebrity Tantra challenge which featured Archie Alemania, Ketchup Eusebio, Baron Geisler and Angelene Aguilar paired up with a teammate chosen from among the participants. Gamers had their fill playing to the hilt as all the Cyberzone PCs were exclusively plugged to Tantra the entire day.

Not wanting to disappoint the legion of Tantra fanatics, the Cyberzone was rented out again for another week (February 27-March 4). Free gaming for six more days was indeed pure cyber-bliss for all.

The Tantra Grand Launch Weekend was quite simply a sampling of bigger and better things yet to come..