Sights and Sounds of Bohol benefit concert at Skydome

MANILA, Philippines - Some of the country’s top entertainers and cultural performers recently gathered together for Talan-AwonUgKasikassa Bohol (Sights and Sounds of Bohol), a fundraising concert to bring back the beauty of Bohol’s damaged churches at the Skydome SM City North EDSA.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and SM City North EDSA organized the fundraising project in response to the calamity that struck Central Visayas for the benefit of The Diocese of Tagbilaran.

Mallgoers had the rare opportunity to see these a-list performers get together to share their talents, music and voices in the concert for a cause emceed by Pinky Marquez. Dulce awed the crowd with her rendition of What I did for Love, Isay Alvarez and Robert Seña dazzled with their duet; songs and Bo Cerrudo gave a powerful rendition of ElMundo.

 On the classical side, Nenen Espina and Ruben Reyes belted Pobreng Alindahaw, the Foretenors sang Narito Ako  and the theme from the movie Ghost, The New Knight Winds serenaded the crowd with An Irish Blessing, Lupang Hinirang, Kasadya ning takna-a, and award winning composer Diwa de Leon shared his music through the hegalong.

The Filipino spirit soared as Gerard Santos sang an excerpt from Pedro Calungsod, and the Mandaluyong Chamber Singers performed Pag-big sa Tinubong Lupa in honor of Andres Bonifacio, who celebrated his 150th birth anniversary on that day, as well as Christmas carols.

Beverly Salviejo proved that she was not only a great comedian but a great singer when she wowed the crowd with an excerpt from Lockney Opera, Aicelle Santos, wowed the crowd with her version of Adele’s Rolling in the Deep, and Kids Act dramatized the story of Mulan. The Skydome was filled with music lovers and big-hearted people who watched the concert directed by renowned artistic and lighting director Joey Nombres.

The concert also launched the Bohol Heritage Sites Exhibit by Noel San Andres at the Skydome, which featured magnificent photos of the churches before they were damaged by the earthquake and supertyphoon, landscapes, seascapes and the unique people of Bohol. The exhibit will be showcased across SM Malls in the country. The exhibit is ongoing until Jan. 1 at  the third floor City Center of SM City North EDSA. San Andres is a well-respected travel photographer having completed projects for the National NCCA. He has done extensive work photographing the cultural icons, landscape and festivals of Ilocos Sur and many other provinces across the country.

Talan-AwonUgKasikassa Bohol is one of the many ways SM City North Edsa continues to assist the victims of the recent calamities. Those who wish to donate to the Diocese of Tagbilaran may do so by depositing to Father Valentino U. Pinlac (director of the pastoral program of the Diocese of Tagbilaran) through Metrobank Account Name:  The Roman Catholic Bishop of Tagbilaran and Account Number: 123-3-123-51030-6.