Globe and Lyric Opera of the Philippines (LyrOpera) have joined forces to address the pressing issue of hunger and inspire communities to take action through a fundraising concert that raised PHP200,000 in support of the Hapag Movement.
The funds were channeled through Hapag Movement’s implementing partner, the international humanitarian organization Tzu Chi Foundation. This contribution is poised to benefit over 1,000 tech-voc and college scholars, covering tuition, academic materials, transportation, and allowances, enabling them to complete their studies and secure employment.
Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, stated, “Our partnership with LyrOpera demonstrates that when organizations collaborate, they have the potential to drive change and address pressing societal issues such as hunger and unemployment. We are honored to be part of this remarkable initiative and look forward to future collaborations with LyrOpera.”
Sherwin Sozon, co-founder of LyrOpera, emphasized the gravity of the hunger problem and the reason behind LyrOpera’s involvement.
“Hunger is a significant problem that impacts all aspects of life. How can we expect people to make progress, think about education, work, help others, or even themselves when they are hungry? Hunger triggers our survival mode. If we are hungry, that becomes our sole focus. I strongly urge all companies in the Philippines to support Hapag, as they are doing commendable work to alleviate hunger,” he said.
LyrOpera, established in 2012 by tenors Sozon and John Glenn Gaerlan, has consistently championed Filipino classical singers through various means, including performances, education, and outreach. Their recent initiative, a collaboration with the Tsinoy group Dragon Music Season, presented the “懷念老歌 (Music of Yesteryears)” concert at Fr. Peter Yang Hall at Saint Jude Catholic School, marking the grand finale of a three-year online show that brought comfort to elderly Chinese individuals during the pandemic.
The grand concert was presented by Dragon Music Season and St. Jude Catholic School, co-presented by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Alumni Associations Inc., SJCS Alumni Association, and ChinoyTV. The success of the event was evident not only in its musical brilliance but also in its philanthropic impact.
Stella Maleen Sia, President of the Saint Jude Catholic Alumni Association, revealed that the Hapag Movement was introduced to the concert organizers as they were selecting a beneficiary for their fundraising efforts.
“The Hapag Movement was introduced to us by the Tzu Chi Foundation, which we are very passionate about because of what Tzu Chi has been doing for the Filipino-Chinese community. We decided to give back to Tzu Chi and the Hapag Movement, given that Hapag’s advocacy is feeding the marginalized community,” Sia explained.
The Hapag Movement, a flagship initiative of Globe of Good, is dedicated to supporting vulnerable families by addressing hunger and providing sustainable livelihood programs through technology and partnerships.
While the “懷念老歌 (Music of Yesteryears)” event has concluded, LyrOpera’s mission continues. Sozon has announced a partnership with a Hong Kong opera company for performances on November 10 and 12, 2023, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The twin bill, featuring Cavalleria Rusticana and Il Pagliacci, will showcase both local and Hong Kong artists, with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra providing accompaniment.
Amidst current challenges, the collaboration between Globe and LyrOpera serves as a testament to the transformative and lasting change that can be achieved through collective efforts.
To learn more about Globe and the Hapag Movement, please visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.
