Who’s playing at Rock the Riles 2014?

To many a Manileño, taking the MRT is a daily dose of torture. But tomorrow, Dec. 7, things are going to be different. 100 musical acts are going to hold eight simultaneous concerts at eight MRT stations along EDSA. It’s Rock Ed Philippines’ 10th edition of Rock the Riles, and this one’s going to be better than ever — because it is also going to be the last.

“Rock Ed follows the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, which is a 2005-2015 campaign,” Rock Ed founder Gang Badoy tells Supreme, explaining why the volunteer group is going to retire next July, and why Rock the Riles is ending as well.

“Are we open to doing it again? I guess parang Eraserheads, pwede mag reunite. Or not,” Gang says with a laugh. “But for now, we are disbanding Rock the Riles.”

This final edition is going to be one for the books, with an amazing line-up that includes Up Dharma Down, She’s Only Sixteen, The Itchyworms, Noel Cabangon, Ebe Dancel, Radioactive Sago Project, and Kai Honasan. 100 acts have confirmed their attendance, and film screenings and live story-telling sessions are planned as well.

X.OSY AWARDS

Rock Ed will also launch the X.OSY Awards. At around 3 p.m. at the Shaw MRT Station, 10 outstanding former out-of-school youths will be given honors. “Rock Ed created the X.OSY Awards to tell all Filipinos that while formal education is valuable, it is not the only option to have a progressive, self-sufficient, economically sound life,” says Gang. “The awardees were faced with tremendous obstacles but none of them stopped learning, searching, and developing themselves despite.”

As usual, Rock the Riles is being held in celebration of International Human Rights Day, and the eight MRT venues symbolize the eight Millennium Development Goals: To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; to achieve universal primary education; to promote gender equality and empower women; to reduce child mortality; to improve maternal health; to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; to ensure environmental sustainability; and to develop a global partnership for development.

All performances are free when you buy a ticket to ride the MRT. On this page, you’ll the full line-up of tomorrow’s event. (Like all things in the Philippines, though, the schedule is subject to change, so take the time slots as mere suggestions. Choose a station and just go with the flow.)

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Storm warning: Typhoon Ruby is expected to hit the Philippines this Sunday. As of press time, Rock the Riles is pushing through, however it may be cancelled depending on the typhoon’s landfall in Manila. For the latest information, visit http://facebook.com/RockEdPhilippines.