"Hinatagay": a post-christmas concert for a cause

CEBU, Philippines - Local bands all coming from Lapu-Lapu City are donating their talent and time for a post-Christmas concert-for-a-cause dubbed "Hinatagay". This musical and charity event is spearheaded by Lapu-Lapu City government's chairman of tourism and sports Councilor Harry Don Radaza, with the support of San Miguel Corporation, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) and the Youth Affairs Office (YAO).

To be held Dec. 26, from 6 pm - 2 am, at a park under the Marcelo B. Fernan bridge, the concert will have these 10 homegrown talents playing: Cris Rocks, New Zion, Chisca, Flirt, Spiel, Nerve String, Stif, Infinity, Skul of Fish and Sound Merge. European DJ Anne Anderson and Cebu's hottest FM disc jockeys will also entertain spectators.

"After holding the Frankie Radaza Memorial Run, I gave out bundles of joy to 200 kids from proceeds of the run. People saw that and I overheard that it was nice because they had fun running, at the same time, they were able to help kids. That's when I realized that charity can be fun. It doesn't have to be boring and tiring," Radaza told The FREEMAN.

Concert-goers need not shell out money to watch the concert. They just have to bring three pieces of used (but still usable and wearable) clothing as their entrance ticket. These will then be distributed by the City Social Welfare Office to the city's urban poor after the event. A wide screen will be mounted beside the stage to update the crowd with a tally of used clothing collected.

"I tried to again come up with a concept where everyone will have fun, at the same time, be able to help others. So 'Hinatagay' was conceived. Hinatag clothes to get in. Once inside, tagay," said Radaza. For the "tagay" part, that's where San Miguel comes in, as they will set up booths where beers will be on sale.

Radaza added that they chose used clothing because it is easy to distribute. "The concept has really caught the attention of residents. People receive lots of stuff on the 25th. I made it after Christmas, so people are encouraged to give their usable old clothes since they have a lot of new stuff from Christmas," he said.

"Hinatagay" will kick off with "Batang Opon", a feeding program for more than 100 children. Aside from enjoying the music and the thought of bringing a smile to someone's face with the clothes that you share, other on-ground attractions will also be offered such as free wall climbing, paintball, longboard and rapelling.

B. Radaza is optimistic that they can make this a yearly gift-giving event. "I plan to make it a festival with different themes for each day next year --- Hinatagay Festival!"