With all the bad news we got during the war at the City of Marawi, sometimes it’s hard to find a glimpse of hope in for many of us. It’s like the sound of joy shut down and only despair and loneliness can only be seen in every places. But because we’re Filipinos, we knew very well how to get back in our feet and start over. Coca-Cola Philippines know also how to bring back restoration to these people. As they brought thousands of teens together to help rebuild Marawi through a unique benefit concert that celebrated the Filipinos’ love for music as it empowered the youth to move as one creative force for a great endeavor.
At the Coke Studio Live: Bringing Music Back to Marawi held on December 9 at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds, many of the attendees showed their support by bringing empty Coca-Cola PET bottles for a recycling drive that would help contribute in the construction of a Little Red Schoolhouse for Marawi kids. Coca-Cola Philippines committed to build a Little Red Schoolhouse as part of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation’s (PDRF) United4Marawi campaign.
“This is our way of showing support and solidarity with the Filipino people – to be able to contribute in the rebuilding process. Music is one of the things that threads through every person, regardless of age, religion, culture, and socio-economic bracket,” said Stephan Czypionka, Marketing Director of Coca-Cola Philippines. “We are committed to help the communities that we serve, especially in times like these that we have to come together to rebuild not just the physical structures, but most importantly, the lives of the people.”
“We are committed in helping rebuild Marawi and the communities impacted by this conflict. In partnership with relevant government agencies, we in the private sector will be bringing our sustainability initiatives to the area,” said Jonah de Lumen-Pernia, Public Affairs and Communications Director of Coca-Cola Philippines. “Our 5by20 entrepreneurship programs will be provided for the spouses of soldiers deployed in Marawi, while water systems will also be installed in the communities. We’ll also build a Little Red Schoolhouse.”
Bringing music back to Marawi
It was a night filled with music and hope as Coke Studio artists including The Ransom Collective, Gab and John of Urbandub, Abra, Gracenote, Moonstar88, Autotelic, Ebe Dancel, Franco, Reese Lansangan, BP Valenzuela and Sandwich, Noel Cabangon, and Curtismith shared their voices and talents for Marawi. Their amazing performances included renditions of Christmas favorites as well as their groundbreaking collaborations.
To further involve the youth in the advocacy, Coca-Cola also selected artists from the top UAAP schools: SLTO of University of the Philippines Diliman, PAPA PETA of University of Santo Tomas, The Cohens of Ateneo de Manila University, and Matt Junasio of De La Salle University to perform an original collaboration piece. Other artists from different universities were also present to entertain the crowd in the pocket stage at the Tunebayan area.
Aside from the upbeat performances, there were also several emotional moments. Coke Studio artists Noel Cabangon and Curtismith led the audience in observing a few minutes of silence as they offered a prayer for the victims of Marawi. Afterwards, they both sang the empowering lyrics of their collaboration “Payong Kaibigan”. There was also a special group performance where the Coke Studio artists all sang “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful” to inspire unity in supporting the Maranaos especially this Christmas season.
During the event, attendees enjoyed exciting activities like singing along to their favorite tunes at the Coke Studio Canraoke and receiving personalized Coke bottles with their names in the labels at the Coke Jukebox. There was even a Christmas food fair and bazaar where guests feasted on good food, best paired with a refreshing drink.
Overall, it was a great night worthy of its even greater advocacy which showed just how music truly unites and inspires Filipinos to come together. Music really knows how to unite people. And that’s how Coke Studio made it possible, not just to spread music but to spread hope for people. Visit Coca Cola Facebook page www.facebook.com/CocaColaPhilippines/ for more updates and insights and subscribe to their YouTube page to check the artist’s various tracks.
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