Ben&Ben to hold fundraising concert for students and teachers’ e-learning needs

Ben&Ben

After its efforts to help underserved communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the folk-pop collective Ben&Ben is set to hold a fundraising concert anew—this time, for the benefit of the education sector.

Titled “Balik Eskwela: Puhon Part 2,” the show aims to support students and teachers, who have “limited to no ability to adapt” to distance learning and other “changes” made by the education authorities for this school year.

The hourlong event will be live-streamed on Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. on the band’s official YouTube and Facebook accounts.

“We have concluded upon analysis that this is one of the areas wherein help is most needed in these times. Schoolin the time of the pandemic is something none of us expected.

And so we will do our best to help out in this major challenge,” Paolo Guico, who shares the lead singing and guitar-playing duties with his twin brother, Miguel, said in a statement.

The proceeds of “Puhon Part 2” will be used to procure electronic and other learning supplies for public schools, as well as care packages containing personal protective equipment and vitamins for teachers and supply distribution personnel.

“We have been aching to help out even more in our own little way. So, when we were figuring out which to address among the myriad problems in today’s landscape, we eventually zeroed in on helping out a sector very close to our hearts—education,” Miguel said.

For more information, visit www.puhon.ph—Ben&- Ben’s community driven website, which utilizes “uplifting stories, music and art” to help “inspire, uplift and boost the collective morale of all the key stakeholders of the COVID-19 response.”

In a previous interview with the Inquirer, Miguel said the band seeks to comfort people through their music. “There are people at home dealing with anxiety … That’s why we keep on playing. Music is powerful. And we have always believed it can help ease people’s worries, especially in the face of uncertainty,” he said.

The self-produced, fulllength online concert will have the nine-piece group performing some of its biggest hits like “Maybe the Night,” “Kathang Isip” and “Pagtingin,” live from the band’s BBTV house. “Expect a very intimate, premium live concert experience straight from our home to yours,” he said.

The band is also composed of guitarist Poch Barretto, violinist Keifer Cabugao, drummer Jam Villanueva, keyboardist Pat Lasaten, bassist Agnes Reoma and percussionists Andrew de Pano and Toni Muñoz.

It had already mounted two successful fund drives earlier in the pandemic: “Puhon: A Ben&Ben Facebook Live Event for the COVID-19 Efforts” and “YouTube Live ‘Doors’ Single Launch.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO