CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Loboc Children’s Choir was able to raise some P2.2 million from their two concerts in Angeles City, exceeding previous targets, as Pampanga's private and business sectors came in to help.
The world renowned and multi-awarded Loboc Children's Choir where in the province last February 14 and 15 to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the historic Loboc church, which was destroyed by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that hit Bohol last year.
The first of the two-performance was held at the Holy Angel University Theater in Angeles City. The second was a by-invitation only dinner-concert, hosted by Laus Group of Companies chairman and chief executive officer Levy P. Laus at his residence in the City of San Fernando.
Both concerts were well attended that the initial target of P1 million was easily exceeded. The choir's Pampanga engagement was initiated by Curia Sancti Rosarii, Inc., an affiliate of Holy Rosary Parish, which is among the prime movers of Pampanga for Visayas/Palawan (Pampanga Multi-Sectoral Partnership for Generation of Aid for Visayas/Palawan).
Pampanga for Visayas/Palawan is a multi-sectoral undertaking to mobilize resources in aid of communities affected by the natural calamities that hit the country last year. It has engaged in the organized mobilization and deployment of material and financial assistance to various communities in Visayas and Palawan. The initiative generated at least P7.5 million in cash from individual, corporate and group donations that were coursed through the Social Action Center of Pampanga (Sacop) and Holy Rosary Parish in Angeles City.
Auxiliary Bishop Pablo David expressed his thanks to the supporters of the concert adding that their donations will go a long way in the on-going rehabilitation of Loboc and its heritage structures. Also, Laus Group of Companies chairman Levy Laus thanked those who attended the concert in their home adding that their family is always ready to support similar efforts for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Loboc church.
The full proceeds from the two concerts will be turned over to the Diocese of Tagbilaran for the restoration of the Loboc Church and to the Loboc Children's Choir for the group's socio-cultural programs. Built in the 17th C by Jesuit missionaries, with improvements made by Augustinian Recollects in the 18th century, Loboc Church was the second oldest church in Bohol and was declared a National Cultural Treasure in 2001.
It was one of Bohol's top tourist attractions and pilgrimage sites before the October 15, 2013 earthquake reduced it to rubble, necessitating massive repairs and restoration.