The greatest partnership

MANILA, Philippines - Founders of Gawad Kalinga and creative team Artefice Events met last Jan. 15 in Makati City to discuss current and future projects with a common cause.

In their Christmas concert last December, aptly named The Greatest Gift, Jed Madela’s impressive performance was a big hit.

“Jed is an amazing artist. I thoroughly enjoyed myself,” said Antonio Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga. Proceeds from that show were handed over to Gawad Kalinga at the meeting.

“It makes it more meaningful for us to be able to share with the less fortunate through this partnership with Gawad Kalinga,” Artefice’s reps explained. “We’re a creative and production outfit with a cause.”

Gawad Kalinga (GK), which means to “give care,” is a Philippine-born worldwide organization aimed at rebuilding impoverished nations like ours one community at a time. The movement began in 1995 as a youth program for juvenile delinquents in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, the biggest slum in Metro Manila. The first GK villages were active by 2,000, along with development and health programs.

Within the next few years, GK provided housing for thousands of Filipinos in communities throughout the country, helped countless more through a variety of programs, and set off a massive campaign for typhoon victims. They now have 2,000 communities in varying stages of development and gained global fervor and support from other countries including Indonesia, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Canada and the US.

GK2024, their vision to bring our country out of poverty by that year, was launched last year at GK’s first global summit in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They will hold the next global summit in Singapore on June 25 to 27.

Meloto expressed a passion to develop not just local communities and local products but local talent as well. He said, “Idealism must be tempered with pragmatism. We must have patriotic performers who are not only top entertainment, but also very inspiring. Jed can be the voice of our people.”

The talent of the soloist “is undeniable. We simply believe he is the best male vocalist of this generation,” said an Artefice representative on how Jed was selected. The double platinum recording artist has won numerous awards including grand champion in all categories at the World Championships of the Performing Arts in 2005. Universal Records executive producer Ito Rapadas calls him “a singer’s singer.” Even Lea Salonga has hailed Jed as “a gem that comes only once in a lifetime.”

Up next for the team is another concert by Jed titled The Greatest Love on Feb. 12 at the ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Artefice has plans for another musical with other top artists in a concert in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Meloto’s hometown. Calmly articulate, the eminent humanitarian was clearly pleased and said, “We’re honored to be working with Artefice. We’re into long term relationships.”

The meeting also turned into an impromptu celebration of Meloto’s 60th birthday last Jan. 17. Perhaps Jed would be willing to sing for him a special rendition of Happy Birthday?