P4.5M donation marks mall’s 20th anniversary

Days after a powerful earthquake shook Central Visayas in Oct. 15, an awe-struck nation was moved to tears when a group of children – members of the famed Loboc Children’s Choir – stood before the ruins of the town’s centuries-old church and sung Josh Groban’s “The Prayer.”

The song of hope followed by an inspiring message of hope from a choir member became a trending topic in social media and galvanized the nation to unite and help Boholanos get back on their feet.

Over a month later, the award-winning choir went to neighboring Cebu to bring their songs of faith and hope and usher in the Christmas season with their carols.

The choir was invited by the management of SM to perform at the mall’s Northwing yesterday afternoon to mark the shopping center’s 20th anniversary. They were not aware that a surprise was forthcoming.

Accompanied by the Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra, the Loboc choir performed a playlist of Filipino and spiritual songs and Christmas carols. After their performance which lasted for over an hour, a representative of the mall management went up the stage and presented them with a giant replica of a check for P4 million which was meant to help fund the restoration of the St. Peter the Apostle church in Loboc and another check for P500,000 for the educational needs of the choir members.

Members could not contain their emotion and disbelief and burst into tears.

“This is the biggest amount we have come up so far,” said choir director Alma Fernando-Taldo. Julia Marie Mandin, a nine-year-old member of the 23-member choir, was happy they were not only given the chance to show their talent but also to help their church.

“Happy ko kay nakakanta mi ug naghatag og hope sa ila. Ug salamat kay matabangan pod ang pagbalik sa mga churches,” said Mandin. (I’m happy that we sang and gave hope, and I’m thankful we can help rebuild our churches.)

The P4 million donation came from SM’s fund-raising campaign where P10 went to the fund for every P1,000 purchase made by shoppers from October 23 to 31 in all 48 branches of the retail giant nationwide. /CORRESPONDENT APPLE TA-AS