BaliKaBayani for the love of OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - A diverse and impressive line-up of Filipino artists banded together last April 14 at the Araneta Coliseum for BaliKaBayani — a joint project of Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit (OPM), EDSA People Power Commission, DOLE, OWWA, Beginnings at 21, Star Express and Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management, Inc.

The all-star benefit concert was mounted to help raise funds for the employment and livelihood projects of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by political and social unrest as well as natural disasters abroad.

Artists from competing TV networks stood united to honor and support OFWs as they are regarded as the nation’s modern heroes who help the country’s economy with the dollar remittances they send to their families. Sharing the directorial duties were Kapuso Ogie Alcasid and Kapamilya Gary Valenciano, who are OPM president and vice president respectively, together with Paolo Valenciano, who also produced the videos. Paolo Bustamante, writer of TV5’s Talentadong Pinoy, wrote the show’s script.

Highlights of the event were the performance of Ogie alongside APO Hiking Society’s Jim Paredes and Boboy Garovillo of the latter’s legendary hits; the trio of Maricris Garcia, Jonalyn Viray and Aicelle Santos — collectively known as La Diva — with Rachelle Ann Go, belting out the hits of Regine Velasquez; The CompanY’s medley of its greatest hits; and Gary V’s show-stopping medley of his chart-toppers, which he performed with young R&B singers Young JV, Kris Lawrence, and Duncan Ramos.

Rock band Salamin, fronted by Paolo Valenciano, powered the house with Pulso, while Sponge Cola, Aegis, and 6Cyclemind performed their rock anthems that drove the crowd crazy and screaming for more. Jericho Rosales romanced the audience with his rendition of his hit single Bumuhos Man Ang Ulan which he wrote for his hit series Green Rose. Gab Valenciano, who arranged the song, provided the piano backup.

MYX awardee Yeng Constantino was a hit with her phenomenal composition Hawak Kamay, her first single some years back.

Gary V gave another powerful performance as he sang his seminal classic Babalik Ka Rin, which he gave a new arrangement specifically for the concert, while his son Gab and the G-Force backed him up with a sizzling dance routine. Jamie Rivera’s interpretation of Tanging Yaman encapsulated the main theme of the show, with Ogie explaining: “Ang mga OFW ang tanging yaman ng ating bayan.”

The show’s hosts — Candy Pangilinan of Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, Allan K of Eat, Bulaga!, and Donita Rose of Umagang Kay Ganda — kept the audience laughing the entire program.

Lea Salonga’s pitch-perfect rendition of Hahanapin Ko gave the audiences the chills. The show’s final number, as it assembled the all-star cast, was a testament of how Filipino artists can be stronger and more united if they stand up for a common cause.

Giving VTR messages dedicated to OFWs were presidential sister Kris Aquino of ABS-CBN, Ruffa Gutierrez of TV5, Heart Evangelista, Dingdong Dantes, Mark Bautista, Elmo Magalona of GMA 7’s Party Pilipinas as well as Toni Gonzaga, Sam Milby, Bea Alonzo, Shaina Magdayao, Rayver Cruz and Gerald Anderson of ABS-CBN’s ASAP Rocks. Other featured performers were Christian Bautista who sang Beautiful Girl and was joined onstage by the reigning Bb. Pilipinas titleholders, Dingdong, Mark, Noel Cabangon, Jessa Zaragoza, Faith Cuneta, Gloc 9, Kyla, Elmo Magalona, Manoeuvres, Mae Paner, The Ryan Cayabyab Singers and Julie Ann San Jose.