“Dream Concert,” a beneficiary project aimed to provide educational support facility for children in Smokey Mountain and Balut, Tondo, was organized by the Alumni Guild of Dreamers (AGD) in collaboration with local artists and Self-Reliance and Development Konkokyo Center (SRD), one of Benilde partner centers under Center for Social Action, yesterday, October 5, at Augusto-Rosario Gonzalez (ARG) Theater.
The AGD is an organization built by working professionals who were scholars of SRD, specifically PayLetter Inc. CEO Young Gun Lee, aiming to bring back the kindness they have done, and extend the blessings they have gathered to other children who are underprivileged to continue and aspire for their dreams.
Dream Concert is not just one of the first charity concerts organized by AGD—it is also one of the main highlights of the 30th anniversary celebration of SRD in giving a brighter future for children in need. The program started with an opening prayer, followed by the opening remarks of AGD Adviser Dan Evangelista and Young Gun Lee.
Together with AGD President Arvin John Modino, SRD President Consuelo Balbero gave a brief background about SRD Konkokyo and awarded staff members who have been dedicating their service to SRD for more than 20 years.
“There is no greater feeling than to know that you are the reason why children smile,” Evangelista stated as he ended his speech.
The concert featured personalities and groups such as Ryan Bang, Mayari, September Issue, Erika Clemente, Janah Zaplan, Esremborak, Hypeband, UST Prime, Ritmo Dance Troupe, and SB19. These artists dedicated their time to perform for free to advocate for the cause.
Modino mentioned they are fortunate enough because of the connections and the cooperation of these artists. SRD Kids, which consists of scholars from elementary to highschool, and Dream On Scholars, which are college scholars of SRD, performed a dance and musical respectively.
In an interview with The Benildean, the first Filipino boy-group to train under Korean Entertainment Company, SB19, mentioned they are highly grateful for being mediums of change for they are not just fulfilling their dreams, they are also aiding children in reaching their aspirations.
“Sa pamamagitan ng pagpe-perform namin, […] nabibigyan namin ng hope ‘yung dreams ng mga bata, especially ‘yung matutulungan for this charity event. That makes us really happy and honored to be a part of this,” SB19 leader John Paulo Nase, popularly known as Sejun, stated.
They also emphasized they had understood the feeling of struggling to reach their dreams so they want to help in the way they can.
“Kailangan natin tulungan ang isa’t isa, kahit sino, lalo na sa mga kabataan. Kung sino pa ‘yung nasa mababang point ng buhay, mas kailangan natin i-appreciate ‘yung pangarap nila,” SB19 Visual and Benildean alumnus Justin De Dios stated. He graduated with a degree in Multimedia Arts in 2018.
A space towards a better place
The educational support facility they have been aiming for in the last two projects—namely Dream Bazaar and Dream Concert—was not just a room for the scholars to study, but also a station where they can access technology and supplies needed for school. This will specifically cater to the nine Smokey Mountain children and eleven underprivileged children from Balut, Tondo that were screened and selected by the organization.
In an interview with The Benildean, Modino found Benilde a blessing because it “has always been generous” with its wide vision for education and inclusion, emphasizing the Benildean core value of being one with the plight of the poor. Modino is a Benildean alumnus who was a scholar of Lee, and graduated from Export Management last year.
“Aside from the scholarships given to us by SRD, they [Benilde] give the privilege for us to study in this institution na parang kumpleto na lahat, kailangan mo lang talagang gawin ay mag-aral ng mabuti at magsumikap. I am very thankful for that changed my life completely,” Modino stated.
He also added that he commends Benilde for its values and advocacies. “Ina-admire ko ‘yung Benilde as an institution kasi sobrang hands on sila sa mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan, ‘yung mga nasa pinakababa. Sila pa ang nagsi-seek at nagbibigay ng assistance sa amin. I can’t thank them enough.”
The Dream Concert 2019 was sponsored by Modess, Royqueen, Manila Bulletin, Manila Bulletin Life, Dream On, Payletter Inc., and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
Photos by John Michael Santos
