Chad Borja to perform in benefit concert

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano balladeer Chad Borja is set to perform with Jamaican gospel singers Father Ho Lung and Friends in the “Praise Him” benefit concert gala night slated on March 5, 2011 (Saturday) at the Saint Theresa’s College Auditorium in Cebu City.

The “Praise Him” concert hopes to raise funds for the Missionaries of the Poor, which take after the Little Lambs Center (LILAC) in Sawang Calero, a permanent home for the destitute, physically and mentally handicapped children, and those with cerebral palsy, autism and Down’s syndrome. Funds will help build a new Home for the Aged for the growing number of homeless aged currently house at LILAC.

Performing at a gospel concert for charity is something new for Chad Borja, who was at the peak of his career in the 1990’s. Born in Medellin, Cebu, Chad used to join jazz bands and performed in various nightspots. He also joined The New Minstrels and Zee band that had gigs in different nightspots around Asia and the Pacific like Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Guam.

While performing back-up for singer Dulce, he was discovered by screen siren Vivian Velez and businessman Boojie Lim. In 1991, he was signed up by recording label BMG where he released his first album “All about Love” and his first hit single “Ikaw Lang”.

“Ikaw Lang” was a huge hit in 1992 and was made into a movie starring Vilma Santos and Cesar Montano. He released a second album in 1994 and held several successful shows and concerts performing with Regine Velasquez, Kuh Ledesma, Geneva Cruz and Side A among many others.

He also appeared in the 1995 comedy movie “Manila Girl” with Ogie Alcasid and Patrick Guzman. He had regular TV guestings and had shows in Hongkong, Singapore, Australia and the United States. He was also able to do recordings with big U.S. stars like Lani Hall and Kevyn Lettau.

But in 1997, while doing a series of shows in the U.S. with Kuh Ledesma, Chad was diagnosed with stage one thyroid cancer. In 1998 he underwent surgery and subsequently recovered. He now leads a more relaxed life in Davao City with his wife and two daughters.

“Cancer made me rethink my lifestyle,” said Chad who still performs with his band in Davao and accepts concert gigs every now and then. He plans to release a much-awaited sixth album soon to usher his comeback into the mainstream music industry.

“But I plan to perform the way I like, when I like and steer away from any whirlwind lifestyles like the one I used to have,” he added. Performing in the “Praise Him” concert is for him a reflection of his change in focus.

Father Ho Lung and Friends have been performing for 27 years, presenting excerpts from the Bible as well as modern religious musical dramas that have received numerous awards from the Jamaican Music Industry.

Father Richard Ho Lung, the founder of Missionaries of the Poor, composes the music for the concert. He has over 300 compositions ranging from Reggae, Calypso, Ska, Soca, Mento, Jazz, Ballads and even Opera. The singers are young, talented Jamaicans who provide emotionally powerful presentations mixed with humour and informality.

“Praise Him” concert venues in Cebu are: March 3, Sacred Heart School for Girls (exclusive); March 4, University of San Carlos College of Architecture and Fine Arts Theatre; March 5, Saint Theresa’s College Auditorium; March 6, Talisay City Complex. For inquiries call Missionaries of the Poor at Tel. No. 516-9697 and 236-9246. For more details visit www.missionariesofthepoor.org.