By Rowena Vergara
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CHICAGO -- They came from California, New Jersey, Texas and throughout the Chicago area all for one cause: to help fund the education of children in the Philippines.
Last Sunday, March 28th, singer/songwriter Manny Garcia, with the help of University of Illinois at Chicago’s Filipinos in Alliance, hosted the 2nd benefit concert for nonprofit BELIEVE International, which stands for Building Effective Leadership, Integrity, Excellence, and Values through Education.
New Jersey singer/songwriter Alfa, beat box genius Leejay Abucayan of Sacramento, Dallas/Fort Worth songbird and guitarist Melissa Polinar and Chicago’s own soulful vocalist, Garcia, headlined the three-hour concert.
Thanks to the overflow of talent and skill of all the artists, ticket sales totaled at least $2,000, Garcia said. Another $116 was donated in cash by concert-goers, said Lesley Arca, BELIEVE International Chicago Chapter Chair.
This number is significant because about $110 can pay for one student’s education for a full year, stated Arca. Additionally, 95 percent of all donations to BELIEVE go directly to fund things like books and school supplies for students in the Philippines. BELIEVE is active in 16 sites in the country currently.
“We’re entirely volunteer-run. We’re people who are just passionate,” Arca said of the year-old, and only U.S. chapter of the nonprofit so far.
There was definitely no shortage of local talent at the benefit concert either. Singer Ashlee Barrera collaborated with guitarists and singers The Roxas Brothers in melodic renditions of hits from Jason Reeves to Justin Bieber. TK Proposal, a three-man band that got its start by winning their high school variety show, also delivered original songs in their signature carefree style.
Spoken word artist Abet Lardizabal shared a thought-provoking piece about what lengths young Pilipina women in poverty must go through back in the homeland. And emcee Excel Cruz inspired the crowd with a powerful anthem for his parents and grandparents.
Another crowd-pleaser, who made a special appearance in Chicago was YouTube artist Erika David. David revved up the crowd with a pop/R&B mashup of some covers and original songs coming out on her new album.
But this is just a glimpse of what took place in Chicago on UIC’s campus. Aside from their individual sets that blew away the audience on so many levels, Alfa, Abucayan, Polinar and Garcia capped the night with a firestorm of collaborations.
The tunes ranged from a jazzy Frank Sinatra remake to an airy Sarah Bareilles hit, a funky rendition of Feist’s “1234,” and more. The night ended perfectly with a peaceful, warming rendition of “Hallelujah,” with Garcia, Alfa and Polinar in harmony, and Abucayan summoning the beats.
Garcia said a good friend of his organized the benefit concert in its first year, but had moved away to Washington, D.C. He felt it was only right to continue his friend’s hard work this year.
“I spent a year in the Philippines for most of 2008, so I’ve seen first-hand the poverty and the kinds of opportunities kids don’t get there. When I figured no one else could do it, I decided to help,” he said about planning the show.
The show may have ended, but awareness over BELIEVE is only getting stronger. Organizers encourage everyone to start their own campaigns to raise money to educate students in the Philippines. That’s what one BELIEVE board member, Maureen Malungcot did recently. She asked her friends to help her raise $2,000 to fund schooling for Pilipino youth at a new site, and she did – in one week.
“Now that I started a site, 22 kids in the Philippines can go to school. Anyone can really do that. That was my birthday gift to myself,” she said.
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For more information: to find out how to volunteer or to learn more about BELIEVE, check out: believeinternational.org.
