Despite 4-6 inches of snow blanketing the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia area) on January 30th, a number of fans and supporters braved their way to the Catholic University of America for an event known as "FOCUS on the Children", a benefit concert for the Tuloy Foundation. FOCUS, the Filipino Organization for Catholic University Students, put on the show, which featured local talents and a few YouTube sensations, including Christine "HappySlip" Gambito as the headliner for the evening.
The Tuloy Foundation is an organization in the Philippines whose goal is to get "children out of the streets and give them complete and total rehabilitation to give them hope of a meaningful and productive life." The Tuloy Foundation was started in 1993 by Father Rocky Evangelista in a small room in the St. John Bosco Parish Compound in Makati City. Starting with 12 children in 1993, they have since helped over 4,000 poor and abandoned youth - providing them with food, clothing, shelter, healing, and education.
Since then, the Tuloy Foundation has grown to offer free elementary and high school education to underprivileged children, as well as vocational training in automotive, electrical, refrigeration and air-conditioning. The foundation now has facilities to house up to 1000 residents and non-residents in locations such as residential areas, schools, cafeterias, sports & recreation centers, chapels, etc. The Tuloy Foundation could not do what it does without the help of the staff, volunteers, and donors who contribute to the cause.
Performances included homegrown DMV talents Vince Lacsamana, Alan Deperio, Kim Frias, and Ivy Rose. Also appearing were Kat Badar, with special guest JR Aquino, Chris Cendaña, and of course, HappySlip herself.
FOCUS President, Celena Ces, said that the Tuloy Foundation was picked because "we felt compelled to do more for our country" by coming together and helping an organization that aids children in the Philippines. Vince Lacsamana and his fellow "Squirez" came through to show their support by coming out to encourage others to perform chivalrous acts that give back to the community "because it’s something that can really change the world," and are hoping that others would catch on and spread the act of giving.
You can see some of the performances below:
For more information on the Tuloy Foundation, visit their web site at http://www.tuloy.org
