RESIDENTS of northern Cebu towns that were hit by supertyphoon “Yolanda” flocked to the Don Celestino Martinez Coliseum in Bogo City for a free concert and dinner yesterday evening.
The audience ate their packed dinner of rice and “ginamay (ground pork)” and downed their meals with mineral water while waiting for the concert to start.
They cheered as soon as the lights dimmed and were replaced by strobe lights.
The opening performers serenaded the audience with the Edwin McCain song “I’ll Be.”
Among the performers was the grandchild of 58-year-old Belda Saladaga, whose house in Tabogon town was damaged by Yolanda.
“We are happy that there’s a free concert like this because we seldom witness these events,” said Saladaga, who came with her 12 relatives to the venue.
The audience were treated to more song and dance numbers from the Cebu Creative Thespians Club, Inc., Cebu City Dancesport team, 10G Troupers, Junior Troubadours, Full Bar Band and Tsokoleyt the “snakeman.”
One of the highlights featured 10-year-old Raven Chan and 13-year-old Laudine Quezon of CTC, who sang an original song “Beyond the Horizon.”
“Basically, the song encourages people to believe in themselves,” Laudine said.
Both performers said they wanted to share their talent and help the victims have hope. “I want them to be happy,” Raven said.
Bogo City Tourism Officer Jocelyn Tan said 90 Cebuano performers joined the event which was a “stress debriefing session” for the audience.
The concert, dubbed as “Everyone’s a Hero,” is organized by the Cebu provincial government, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the #BangonSugBogo movement.
Tan said the concert is also a commemoration of National Heroes Day yesterday. “Pangpalingaw ra gyud sa mga tawo (It’s for the audience’s entertainment),” she said.