Sunday, February 04, 2007
P11T collected from Bontoc concert
"WE WERE able to collect P11,301 as of today; gave it to Jeoffrey Lardizabal with advice. We hope to collect (more) these coming days."
The text message came the other week from Mila Malla-ao, personnel officer of the Mountain Province Provincial Government, relative to proceeds from a concert mounted in Bontoc town late last year for two kids stricken with leukemia.
Lardizabal, father of seven-year-old patient Simon, earlier appealed for support to the boy's fight against blood cancer. Zandro, who was mentioned in Malla-ao's message, is Zandro Pagayon, Simon's four-year-old nephew who is battling the same affliction.
Both boys are undergoing chemotherapy, which, doctors at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) advised, will have to be maintained for three years.
Mountain Province Governor Maximo Dalog and Bontoc Mayor Alfonso Kiat-ong initiated the concert immediately after getting wind of the kids' predicament.
Baguio folk musicians led by soloists Mike Santos and Mhia, responded, traveling to Bontoc for the musical treat last December 28 at the Mountain Province State College Hall (MPSCH). Arsen Marzan lugged his heavy steel guitar while lead guitarist Porky Peria had to leave his visiting daughter to be with the band.
With them were Thor Fagyan on the base guitar and Robert Nobus on the drums. Ireneo Agustin, Randall Dampac, and Noel Camino steered the service vehicles provided by acting Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. and the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco).
Fund support came from civic worker Swanny Dicang, Regional Director Helen Tibaldo of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), lawyer Alex Bangsoy and Richard Valdez of NBN TV Channel 4. Hotelier Ronald Kimakim prepared lunch for the musicians at the Golden Pine in Banao, Buguias, Benguet while soloist Kenneth, now based in Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya, offered meals on their way back.
Malla-ao and Allan Bacwaden, municipal representative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), managed the promotions and the ticket sales. Both were still knocking on the doors of people who took tickets.
"We hope they have not forgotten to remit payments so the same can be used by the two kids," Bacwaden said.
The two patients attended concert night, each wearing medical masks to protect them from infection. Simon has twin -- Jude who, missing his brother in grade 1 class, quit his schooling to be with him. (RD)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (February 4, 2007 issue)
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