US singer cites Davao project

DAN HILL paints a school chair in Tagum. Photo by CIO Tagum

TAGUM CITY—“Anything we can do to facilitate the children’s education helps all of us,” multi-awarded singer-songwriter Dan Hill said on Friday during a visit to the city motor pool, where school chairs were being fabricated out of confiscated logs.

Shortly before his concert here, the 58-year-old Canadian, a Grammy winner, learned that the chairs were being given out for free under Mayor Rey Uy’s Cares for School Chairs project.

Hill became an instant supporter and joined volunteers in painting some of the chairs. It was “incredibly fun,” he said.

On his way out of the motor pool, he scribbled “You inspire and humble me” on a tarp where names of CFSC donors and volunteers were written.

Humbling

Hill—known for the hits “Sometimes When We Touch,” “Can’t We Try” and “Never Thought (That I Could Love)”—expressed admiration for the program, calling it humbling and inspiring, according to Louie Lapat of the city information office.

“As the mayor has so brilliantly demonstrated, your greatest sense of fulfillment and happiness is in helping other people,” Hill said.

DUET with a city government employee. Photo by CIO Tagum

During the two-hour concert at the Atrium in Barangay Apokon, Tagum City, the US pop star delighted some 4,000 fans when he sang a duet with a female city government employee. The show was organized by the local government and the Rotary Club of Tagum in support of CFSC.

“It was an experience of a lifetime,” recounted Alma Aguilar, a staff member of the legal office. “I was overwhelmed. I couldn’t believe it was happening.”

Aguilar and Hill sang “Can’t We Try,” which the singer wrote for his wife. The song was a Top 10 hit in the US in the 1980s.

Aside from Tagum, Hill performed at the Philippine Women’s College Event Center in Davao City on July 8.

Part of the concerts’ proceeds will go to the school chairs project, according to Councilor Ma. Lina Baura, an officer of the Tagum Rotary Club of Golden Laces.

Under the CFSC program, the city fabricates chairs, desks and other school furniture from confiscated logs endorsed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The chairs are then donated to public schools across the country.

Since last year, the city government has donated 51,893 chairs and other pieces of furniture to schools all over Mindanao and Luzon.