Online concert to raise funds for the fight against COVID-19 continues with even bigger stars this May. In partnership with Smart Music Live (SML) Online Sessions, the online concert series increases its vigor as the most visible Filipino citizen action platform at this time.
The SML Online Sessions widens the reach of what promises to be a memorable night with. Asia’s Songbird herself, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. She performs with her husband, the popular singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid on Bayanihan Musikahan’s Facebook on Friday, May 15, to be streamed over Smart’s official Facebook page.
Following the call from project lead and National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, the husband-and-wife tandem of Ogie and Regine immediately devoted time, effort, and talent to prepare for this livestream concert. Like the other 100+ musical artists who have participated, they do so gratis, and with the same big heart for their fellow Filipinos.
Exceptional team story
“Mr. C,” as Cayabyab is fondly called, emphasizes that Ogie and Regine now become part of an exceptional story. “The most exceptional story for me is that of working with this team in Bayanihan Musikahan.”
“I haven’t met a team of people as highly motivated, intelligent and industrious as this team who have brought their respective expertise to the table and raised more than 70M pesos to help alleviate the plight of the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters living in Metro-Manila and outlying provinces.”
These hundreds of volunteers include community organizers who are themselves urban poor, who belong to the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP) and its allied people’s organizations. PBSP has taken up the multiple challenges of transportation, linking up with vegetable and rice farmers, and organizing logistics.
The worst and best times for musicians
“It is the worst time, and the best time for musicians, creative artists, and composers.
The worst time, because there are no jobs available, no live performances, no gigs, no regular work that are needed for recordings, for live TV or taped TV shows, etc.” But he also says that: “it is the best time–because then, we can practice more, have more time perfecting our craft because there are not many distractions and no traffic that eats up a person’s work hours,”.
We will get through this, and we will be better musicians, performers, and creative thinkers and artists,” he explained,” he explains.
Mr. C says that adjustments had to be done by both performers and the audience. “We prepare much the same way as we have always done prior to any performance. Being professionals, we know how to rev up for a performance.”
Without these reactions, a performer would have to make TREMENDOUS adjustments to his/her psyche–I know we will get through this, but we will have to grapple with that strange phase first.
In this sense, the adjustments that had to be made on the ground by the relief distribution volunteers during a time of great personal danger, have been enormous—and yet, from all indications, successful. PBSP and SNPP have used new technology to be efficient and highly energetic.
Grateful for connectivity
The National Artist for Music hence emphasizes the pivotal role of connectivity during these uncertain times. “Connectivity is the big star now. Online connectivity is our fastest way to communicate and to learn what we need to do in a pandemic such as this. Online connectivity is also our center of entertainment in this period of extended quarantine.
He added, “We even attend mass online – and we can choose to attend our parish priest’s mass, or choose to attend the Pope’s! Now, more than ever, we get to see national leaders and medical practitioners of various countries doing what they can to alleviate their people’s plight with unique solutions that other countries can adopt.
Continuing what SML Online Sessions began last April, this new round of live online sessions remains a way to bring together the generous spirit of the Filipino and give everyone hope as the nation presses on in its endeavors to eradicate COVID-19 and heal as one.
Easily make a donation by clicking on https://donate.paymaya.com/products/philippine-business-forsocial-progress. To watch some of your favorite artists live from your home on May 15, watch the Bayanihan Musikahan on Smart’s Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SmartCommunications/.
