Mandaue will ask GSIS to fund choir's US trip

The Mandaue City council will ask the Government Service Insurance System to give P500,000 to help defray the travel expenses of the Mandaue City School for the Arts Children's Choir and Dance Troupe when it goes to the United States for a concert tour this April.

The children's choir was the champion in the National Music Competition for Young Artists held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila last November 2004.

Rey Roa, the music director of the Layton Christian Academy in Utah has invited the choir to perform in Salt Lake City and in Layton City.

The Filipino-American Community of Colorado, Inc. has promised to spend for the children's food and accommodation.

City Councilor Wenceslao Gakit, who sponsored the resolution seeking GSIS' assistance, said the group has to take into account other things such as pre-departure expenses and airfare.

Earlier, the city council approved the release of P5.5 million for the expansion of the only elementary public school for the arts in the country.

The school is located on a hilly area some four kilometers from the main highway in barangay Casili. - Mitchelle P. Calipayan