Fun with a cause

CEBU, Philippines – Around two thousand people gathered at the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu's annual Cookout event last week, on November 13 and 14. The event had for its theme “election education” in the light of the upcoming national polls.

The "UP Cookout: Change of Thrones" was not just a concert with a socially-relevant theme; the event was also aimed at instilling different advocacies in its audience through segment competitions like Kantahan (Singing), Sayawan (Dancing), Bandahan (Band Performances) and Rampahan (Creative Modeling), participated in by different UP-based organizations.

This year's UP-Cebu Cookout drew students from other schools, even people from the neighboring barangays, organizers said. Jan Carl Abad, a student from the University of San Carlos found it "different from our regular school activities." The presentations revolved around the "election" theme. The coming national elections are an event worthy of serious attention from the young voters, which comprise a good bulk of the voting population.

Invited guest acts Rivermaya, Powerspoonz and Missing Filemon performed alongside student talents in the concert-for-a-social-cause. The performances had the mainly young crowd jumping and pumping till midnight. Cebu-based bands NeverEnding Weekend, Silingan ni Felicity, Band-Aid, Periodic Table, GINSYNC, Impune, Great White Gents and Ante Meridian also performed.

The UNKNOWN Company, a local dance group, also did a refreshing dance number.

The event lasted till six in the morning of November 14. There's no question that the UP-Cebu Cookout 2015 was a blast.