BPSF ‘Pagkakaisa Concert’ in Sultan Kudarat reinforces unity, solidarity

The Pagkakaisa Concert, the biggest so far for the Serbisyo Caravan, in Sultan Kudarat.

MANILA, Philippines — The Pagkakaisa Concert that was held in Sultan Kudarat for the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) – the biggest so far for the Serbisyo Caravan – was a showcase of unity and solidarity for Mindanao and the rest of the Filipino people, bringing everyone together through music, dance and poetry.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, one of the primary proponents of the BPSF, said the Pagkakaisa Concert replaces the usual “Pasasalamat Concert,” to highlight the need for unity of Mindanaoans amid calls for secession.

Participants during the Pagkakaisa Concert in Sultan Kudarat for the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair.

“Nakakatuwa ang nakita nating pagkakaisa dito sa Sultan Kudarat. May halos 50 tayong kasama sa Kamara na nakadalo, lagpas 150,000 beneficiaries ang ating nabigyan ng ayuda at serbisyo, at libo-libo ang umattend at nakiisa sa ating Pagkakaisa Concert,” Speaker Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives, said.

Attendees cheer as they watch the Pagkakaisa Concert that was held in Sultan Kudarat for the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair.

(It’s heartwarming to see the unity we witnessed here in Sultan Kudarat. We had nearly 50 colleagues in the Chamber who attended, over 150,000 beneficiaries received assistance and services from us, and thousands attended and joined in our unity concert.)

“Ito na ang pinakamalaki nating Serbisyo Caravan! Kaya sa panig ng mga organizers, kasama na ang inyong lingkod, umaapaw ang aming pasasalamat sa lahat ng nakilahok at tumulong sa BPSF na ito. Makakaasa tayo na aming itutuloy ang programa para sa lahat ng Pilipino,” he added.

(This is our biggest Service Caravan yet! So, on behalf of the organizers, including your servant, we are overflowing with gratitude to everyone who participated and helped in this BPSF endeavor. Rest assured, we will continue our programs for all Filipinos.)

Photo from the office of the House Speaker.

Sultan Kudarat Gov. Pax Mangudadatu, the local host of the event along with Rep. Princess Rihan M. Sakaluran, also expressed gratitude to Romualdez and the organizers of the BPSF.

Earlier in the day, during the launch of the BPSF, Gov. Mangudadatu bucked calls for secession of Mindanao, saying Sultan Kudarat is solidly behind a one, united Philippines.

Sultan Kudarat locals watch the Pagkakaisa Concert during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair.

The Pagkakaisa Concert was held in the SK Provincial Capitol Grounds and drew a crowd of nearly 100,000.

The concert featured performances from Pinoy rap sensations Gloc 9, Flow G and Skusta Klee, and songbirds Angeline Quinto and Joseph Marco.

With artists such as them, the Pagkakaisa Concert was filled with fans eager to witness performances from big stars of the entertainment industry.

READ: Bagong Pilipinas rally draws estimated 400,000 attendees, says MPD

“I am thankful also to the citizens of Sultan Kudarat for being such gracious hosts. Thank you for the support you have given to the BPSF and to all efforts to bring closer to the people all the government programs. Ito ang direktiba ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. [This is the directive of President Bongbong Marcos],” Speaker Romualdez said.

Over P1.2 billion worth of cash aid and other programs will be distributed over the course of two days for the Sultan Kudarat BPSF.

Separate events were also conducted for the distribution under the Cash and Rice Distribution Program and the Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Program for the Youth.