Going that extra mile with voices from the heart
Thirty years and still going strong, the Maria Lena Buhay Memorial Foundation Inc., the first oral school for hearing impaired children in the Philippines, celebrated one of its most important milestones, pursuing their commitment to help young hearing impaired children learn how to talk, understand and communicate effectively through Oralism.
Last Sept.9, the foundation successfully celebrated Buhay@30. The day marked the culmination of their Foundation Week that began Sept.5, with a thanksgiving mass at the nearby Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Chapel.
The foundation day celebration held welcomed alumni, former students, parents and teachers as well as family and friends of the past and presently enrolled students. It also honored the many generous individuals and corporate donors and sponsors who have supported the school through the years.
Dance numbers, choral readings and a musical presentation from the school band were beautifully performed by the students who made sure their voices from the heart could be heard! These numbers were creatively choreographed and rehearsed by the school’s loyal and brilliant teachers who recognized the various talents of each student.
Another highlight was the surprise guest appearance of the original Prince of Pop Dingdong Avanzado, his wife the Phenomenal Diva Jessa Zaragoza and their talented daughter Jayda, who have also shown their support for the school for many years.
A coincidence is that Dingdong Avanzado also marked his own milestone this year. His career, also spanning three decades, will be celebrated this Dec. 8 at the Newport Theater at Resorts World, Manila. It is a joint concert with wife Jessa Zaragoza entitled “20/30.” Tickets are available at Ticket World and SM Tickets.
For their Foundation Day surprise guest appearance, Dingdong and Jessa sang a duet that left the audience teary-eyed. “Panghabangbuhay” was written for the husband and wife tandem and will be a part of their soon to be released album under Star Records. The song was chosen by the couple to honor the achievements of Buhay@30.
Always willing to go that extra mile for the school, chairman Roger Buhay and executive director Leticia Buhay were present to personally welcome and thank everyone who came and celebrated this festive and memorable occasion.
By helping hearing impaired children find their voices from the heart, the Maria Lena Buhay Memorial Foundation Inc. has gone that extra mile and moves forward a notch higher as plans for a 2nd mini-concert, featuring the former and current students of the MLBMFI school band, is being seriously considered to raise funds to benefit the numerous scholars of the foundation.
The oral school, located in Blue Ridge B, Quezon City, can be reached thru tel. no.6471270 email address: mlbmf87@hotmail.com.