Wild cheers greet benefit concert for Libya OFWs

MANILA, Philippines — Inspired performances from a motley lineup of singers and ands highlighted the benefit concert “Balika-Bayani” Thursday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Ryan Cayabyab Singers

The gig, mounted to raise funds for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning from war-torn Libya, successfully attained its objective, said Ogie Alcasid. The singer-songwriter spearheaded the project in his capacity as a member of the Edsa People Power Commission and president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit.

SONG and dance (from L): Duncan Ramos, Kris Lawrence, Gary Valenciano and Young JV

Although the crowd didn’t reach the Big Dome’s capacity, Alcasid pointed out that all tickets had actually been paid for by benefactors. More money came in from corporate sponsors. “A committee will audit the money we raised. We will announce it soon,” Alcasid told the Inquirer. “OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) took charge of soliciting for sponsorship. The proceeds will go to one of the projects that OWWA put up for the OFWs.”

At the show’s start, hosts Allan K, Donita Rose and Candy Pangilinan happily announced that the frowned-upon exclusivity rule of major TV networks was temporarily set aside so that their talents could participate.

Each act was limited to one song.

Gary Valenciano drew wild cheers with his patented “pure-energy” sing-and-dance routine featuring some of his hits, even as co-performers Duncan Ramos, Kris Lawrence and Young JV apparently lost their voices in the flurry of the dance steps.

Julie Ann San Jose was impressive in her duet cover of Gloc-9’s “Upuan” with Elmo Magalona.

Yeng Constantino likewise elicited loud applause in her rendition of her own song “Hawak Kamay.”

The CompanY

But it was the walloping wall of sound unleashed by three bands that electrified the audience. Salamin, fronted by Gary’s son Paolo Valenciano, could frighten the naive with its thrash-metal music. But a close listen to the band’s lyrics on “Pulso” might have captured the fear and anxiety experienced by homesick OFWs: “Buksan mo ang iyong mata/Gamitin mo ang utak mo…”

A similar sensibility was expressed by 6cyclemind in its spirited performance of “Sandalan,” followed by Spongecola and its heartfelt delivery of “Bitiw.”

Noel Cabangon got everyone on their feet—which the folksinger has always requested, the better to appreciate the lyrics of his song “Ako’y Isang Mabuting Pilipino.” Nobody complained, in fact they all sang along, with hands raised, including lawmakers and former government officials in the front rows.

Sustaining the show’s momentum were two members of the defunct APO Hiking Society, Jim Paredes and Buboy Garrovillo, with Alcasid filling in for Danny Javier. Alcasid relished his vocal parts as the trio treated the crowd with a medley of classic APO “barkada” songs.

Buboy Garovillo, Jim Paredes and Ogie Alcasid

Visibly having fun was The CompanY, its members smiling widely while singing its own hits. In a few instances, Moy Ortiz kept thanking the audience for appreciating the group’s romantic ballads.

Christian Bautista enjoyed an enthusiastic response the minute he went onstage to serenade four of the recent winners of Binibining Pilipinas. Funny, but he almost flubbed some lines in his cover of “Beautiful Girl,” his voice sliding into a falsetto to avoid cracking. The crowd, of course, couldn’t care less—his good looks alone made them scream.