Touching people's lives

I deeply admire KC Concepcion. I appreciate many things that she does as a young woman, and as a young citizen of the world. Currently the National Ambassador of the United Nations World Food Program, she is also giving her time and support to the Search for TAYO or the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations. TAYO Awards has recently launched its seventh year search.

“The wonderful thing about TAYO is that they are working together, sama-sama, tulong-tulong. And being with them makes me really proud and inspired because the young people are doing so much for our country,” said KC.

TAYO, a yearly search for excellence that started in 2002, has become an inspirational vehicle to highlight the prowess and the concern for country displayed by the Filipino youth. The brainchild of Sen. Francis Pangilinan, TAYO was initiated to give recognition to youth groups who give their time and effort to make this world a better place to live in.

This year, TAYO Awards Foundation, Inc. announces its search for the 10 Accomplished Youth Organizations for 2009. Open to all youth groups — from student councils, barkadas, religious groups, volunteer groups, cause-oriented groups, etc. — and project entries can be anything. The deadline for submission of entries is on July 15.

As one of the judges of the previous TAYO Awards, KC acknowledged that she has personally become more inspired by the projects of the TAYO participants. “And I also get intimidated by the youth leaders. Sino ba naman ako para humarap sa inyo?” she revealed. “It helped that I spent years living abroad because I can appreciate my country more. And in my third year involvement in TAYO, I am really amazed at what the youth can do today. I’m really proud to be part of this generation.”

Commenting on how TAYO has evolved, Sen. Pangilinan explained, “The competition has become stiffer. The entries have become more creative, more colorful. Last year, over a 100 had joined and we anticipate the same number this year, if not more.” He also said that participants come from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Sen. Pangilinan is also vocal about how TAYO has kept him motivated, “I thank them for inspiring us, for giving us hope, for optimism.” Previous winners, he said, have shown the depth and grasp of how the youth can touch the lives of many. Citing examples, he noted: “A youth group from Jolo, they got an ambulance and built a rescue team around it — mga youth ito ha. Meron naman diyan sa Dapitan, a volunteer fire brigade, 25 below ang average fire fighters nila. And there’s one from Ilocos, management students — they were able to provide bookkeeping and accounting tips for a farmers’ organization and helped them discover an extra P70,000. The farmers didn’t know that they had an extra P70,000 but from correct bookkeeping, they discovered it.”

As for KC, she is overwhelmed by the things she witnesses in the course of her job as an ambassador and her other involvements, like in TAYO. “Everytime I go back to Mindanao, I hardly think about my work in showbiz. I want to participate not just through entertainment, but in getting a lot more people involved,” said KC.

“Hunger, unfortunately, is a tremendous challenge that continues to face our generation and is not going away until we do something about it and I’m thankful to TAYO that they gave me an opportunity to talk about this. It is the most basic need, kasi kung gutom naman ang estudyante paano siya papasok? Hunger kills more people than AIDS, malaria, and HIV combined.” Calling on the youth, KC stressed, “We can do more if we work together.”

Memories of MET’s grand dame

My dearest Tita Conching Sunico, grand dame of Manila’s 400 (when there were only 400) and of the Metropolitan Theater, will be honored in a concert tribute billed Mga Ginintuang Alaala ni Conching Sunico at ng MET on May 14 and 15 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

“The concert is a grand tribute to the brave journey of one woman and the Metropolitan Theater that she devoted her life to preserving it. Both Ms. Sunico and the Manila Metropolitan Theater have many things in common. They were cultural forces of their time defining the artistic climate of their eras. It was during her management as executive director that the Met enjoyed a brief resurgence of its glory. The concert takes a look at that brief, golden period when the arts once again flourished in Plaza Lawton. Through the participation of the artists that she loved and who loved her in return, the golden memories of Conching Sunico and the MET live again.

In the cast are Leo Tavarro Valdez, Chinggoy Alonzo, Ana Feleo, Rachelle Gerodias, Karla Gutierrez, Chinggay Lagdameo, Tony Mabesa, Metro Manila Community Orchestra, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Beverly Salviejo, Chino Toledo, UP Concert Chorus, with the special participation of Ben Farrales. It is directed by Tony Mabesa and Floy Quintos. Script by Floy Quintos.