Flag carrier, Airbus sponsor street kids for Paris performance

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines and Airbus are bringing 25 Filipino street children to Paris to perform at the opening of a major art exhibit in the French capital.

The children are part of the choral group Street Children Choir of Virlanie Foundation Philippines, a non-governmental organization established to help the abandoned and homeless kids.

Under the co-sponsorship agreement, PAL and the French aircraft manufacturer will shoulder the round-trip tickets of the 25 performers.

“We’re glad to be of help to these talented street kids. We wish them success in their Paris performance,” said Ramon S. Ang, PAL president and chief operating officer.

The Paris trip materialized when the group performed before France’s Prime Minister Jean Marc Ayrault and wife Brigitte Terrien during the French premier’s visit to the Philippines late last year, a performance that impressed the couple.

Dubbed Musee des Arts Premiers du Quai Branly, the exhibit features a grand exhibition titled Philippines: Archipel des échanges (Philippines: An Archipelago of Exchange), which will showcase Philippine artwork and artifacts during the country’s pre-colonial period.

The contract signing between PAL, Airbus and Virlanie Foundation was held at San Miguel Corporation’s headquarters in Pasig City.

Virlanie’s founder and current president Dominique Lemay signed on behalf of the organization.

Lemay said he is proud to offer the child-performers “a unique opportunity to discover a new culture and a new country.”