Bohol kids’ choir takes fundraising gig on road

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines—They tour and sing to rebuild their earthquake-ravaged church.

In this mission, the Loboc Children’s Choir (LCC), consisting of 17 girls and three boys aged 9 to 15, has raised more than P8 million to help restore the centuries-old St. Peter parish church in Loboc, Bohol.

Much of the money has been turned over to the Catholic diocese overseeing the reconstruction of the national cultural treasure, said Lutgardo Labad, tour manager and staging director of the multi-awarded singing group.

The most recent fundraiser—two concerts held in the cities of Angeles and San Fernando on Feb. 14 and 15—took in P2.2 million from donations and ticket and T-shirt sales, Pampanga Bishop Pablo Virgilio David announced at the end of the performance at the Laus residence here on Saturday night. The other concert was held at the Holy Angel University in Angeles City.

David thanked the concert-goers for their “grace of solidarity” with the victims of the Oct. 15, 2013, earthquake.

The event was organized by David as part of the Pampanga-Visayas Project in which survivors of the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption in Pampanga extend a helping hand to the survivors of the Bohol and Cebu earthquake and Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in Samar and Leyte.

Labad said the Ayala Foundation and the Meralco Foundation were among the organizations that sponsored fundraising concerts by the LCC.

The Pampanga concerts were fronted by the Sinukuan Performing Troupe and ArtiSta.Rita joined by violinist Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata.

The members of the choir are Marigold Balili, Carmelle Mae Inson, Marjorie Mandin, Julia Mandin, Katja Anne Taldo, Cecile Poquita, Mae Ann Cantonjos, Mary Ann Gomez, Kara Alcala, Jessa Mae Barquial, Vea Navarro, Nevla Tresha Salaga, Meleonee Nona Varquez, Ira Macadaeg, Ella Jane Mandin, Elgin Mandin, Camille Estrera, Angel Raya John Thomas Kenshin Ganibe and Joshua Abad.

Alma Fernando-Taldo, one of the teachers who founded the LCC at the Loboc Central Elementary School in 1980 and currently its musical director and conductor, said she continued to be amazed by the children’s enthusiasm for their mission.

They belong to the 25th LCC batch since its founding 34 years ago. The group was formed due to the need to field a choir in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists, which the LCC has topped three times.

“I’m happy that at my age, I am able to help our parish,” said Inson, 15. “I feel blessed,” added the senior high school student. This is her seventh year in the choir.

The 11-year-old Abad said he’s just happy singing.

Inson said the Department of Education allows choir members to receive their homework in advance so they could juggle their studies and singing. They also go to the barangays (villages) in Bohol, singing for the earthquake victims.

On Sunday, Bolipata took the LCC to his province of Zambales for a fundraising concert.

Labad said the LCC is a hit with its audiences because the young singers have “a purity of tone, natural musicality, angelic voices, discipline, child-like innocence and unassuming showmanship.”

“They sing from the heart.”

Taldo said the LCC intends to stage more concerts to help more parishes.

Last year’s earthquake also destroyed six other churches in Bohol, according to the Heritage Conservation Society.

These are the Church of Our Lady of Light in Loon, Santissima Trinidad Parish church in Loay, Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon, Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Dauis, San Nicolas Church in Dimiao and Santa Cruz parish church in Maribojoc.