Religious groups sing for a cause at SM Skydome

MANILA, Philippines - Religious groups from different denominations sang together for the benefit of Typhoon Yolanda victims during the Aawitang Handog Concert held recently at the Skydome in SM City North EDSA.

A project of the United Nations Goodwill Office and supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and SM City North EDSA, Aawitang Handog is a “national commemorative inter-religious and inter-faith chorale concert for a cause.”

According to UN Goodwill Office Ambassador Gion Gounet in a statement, “This event invokes all the voices through arts and music to bring sympathy and help for the sustainable education of the children victims from the recent devastation brought upon by Typhoon Yolanda.”

 â€œThe challenge now is that the voices heard will have working hands joined and held together for the betterment of mankind,” he added.

The event marked the first time seven various religious choirs performed in one venue: The Adventist Blue Ambassadors Choral of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, the Iglesia ni Cristo Tabernacle Choir, the Kammerchor Manila of Heart of Jesus and Mary Parish, the Manila Stake Choir of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, the Manila Concert Choir, Polyphonics and Ang Dating Daan Chorale of Members of Church of God International.

Prince Ikram Ashad of Malaysia graced the event along with the Malaysian Embassy’s First Secretary Raveendran Nair and actress-turned-businesswoman Marissa del Mar.

Other guests were UNIDO representative Tasheer Menash, Zonta Club Greater Rizal Area director Lia Bautista, UNTV production head Jovan Marquez, All Nations Women’s Group president Ditas Posadas, SDA deaconess Judy Corbito, TABAC’s Gilbey Aguirre and Sunlife Financial’s VP Figurado Carlo “Jun” Plaza and AVP Gail Plaza.

SM Executives, led by SM AVP for Operations Renee Bacani and SM City North EDSA mall manager Hershe Angeles, welcomed them.