“Los Niños” – A Concert of Hope

moved the multi-awarded choristers and inspired them to do something within their means to help Cebu children in similar difficult circumstances as those Pampanga kids. And so the idea of “Los Niňos” concert was born.

Kenneth Lirazan, head coordinator of UV Chorale, related that they were touched by the children in Anak Balebalayan, who were full of hope despite their situation. In coming back to Cebu, the group started thinking up programs for underprivileged children. In coordination with, Fr. Balili, who founded AGAK, the benefit concert was organized.

Last Friday’s concert was their way of filling in where the government seemed to have overlooked the plight of the city’s street children, according to Lirazan. “We hope that this endeavor [concert] will help

spread awareness that as a Cebuano, as a citizen, we should do something for the children,” Lirazan added.

Guest performers at the concert were Vox Anima and the Cebu Normal University Chorale, under choir directors Rodolfo Denolan and Darlene Yap, respectively. The UV Chorale performed three of the songs which they would be singing in the annual National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), on November 24, where the group would be representing Cebu.

“It’s our time to give and with the blessing of our founder, Sir Dodong Gullas, and our manager, Maam Nena Gullas, we are glad to have made ‘Los Niňos’ possible,” Lirazan concluded.