The kids who will benefit from Little Mermaid <

Show business has become a strong force in shaping Filipino culture. While we sing with the latest hits, cry with dramatic soaps, or laugh with hilarious sitcoms, we are not only being entertained, we are also being shaped. For many, the entertainment industry is the main force that molds Philippine pop culture.

On the other hand, big business is the generator that pushes the Philippine economy forward. Multinational companies, conglomerates, top-100 corporations, taipans, cooperatives and entrepreneurs grind products and services that fuel jobs and livelihood, that translate to our GNP, the standard measurement of economic growth.

Obviously, showbusiness and big business are titans of power and influence. In most instances, the ideals of big business and show business run parallel. The ideals of growth, profit, and ever-increasing shareholder value. Nothing wrong with that. You can’t run a show when you’ve got no dough.

But if show business and big business can conscientiously and consistently harness even a small amount of its power and resources for a cause higher than to entertain or turn in profit, the effect would be like a tidal wave cutting clear through an ocean of social problems.

The biggest advocate of corporate social responsibility is the PBSP or Philippine Business for Social Progress. PBSP is a business-led foundation composed of over 150 of the most responsible corporations in the country. Member companies include PLDT, San Miguel, Nestle, Citibank SGV, Del Monte, Shell, Petron, The Lopez Group, United Laboratories, and many more.

Since it’s existence, the PBSP has provided over P1.6-billion in financial assistance, supported over 4,400 projects, and changed the lives of over 2.2 Million Filipinos nationwide. The foundation is headed by Manny Pangilinan, President and CEO of PLDT as Chairman, and Ma. Luisa Perez-Rubio as President.

In one sentence, every PBSP member corporation believes that business has one purpose…To make life good for all.

As Manny Pangilinan shares, "Business after all must be viewed in relation to the overall purpose of institutions-namely the promotion of welfare."

In the world of show business, Trumpets has made a name for itself as the leader in musical theater. Trumpets has always been known for combining highly entertaining theater productions with a message that pierces through the hearts of the audience. Joseph The Dreamer spoke about forgiveness. The C.S. Lewis classic, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was a tale on bravery and salvation. The Little Mermaid is a story on the ultimate sacrifice, dying for someone you love.

Not only are the messages exhilarating the production itself breaches world class standards. The Trumpets version of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe was commended by C.S. Lewis’ stepson as the best musical version of his father’s literary masterpiece. The ongoing hit, The Little Mermaid is playing to SRO crowds with critics claiming the show is good enough to be launched on Broadway or West End.

Big business represented by PBSP and show business represented by Trumpets-two groups that believe together, they can make a difference. Thus, for the first time, both PBSP and Trumpets have linked arms for a cause higher than their own. They have come together to raise money to build and operate a multi-purpose center in strife torn Mindanao.

Statistics reveal that only three out of 10 children from Mindanao finish elementary. This is primarily due to the lack of schoolhouses in marginalized areas of the region. Through the musical hit, Little Mermaid, Trumpets aims to raise over P350,000 to build the center.

On it’s own, the money raised by Trumpets will only allow it to build a center but not sustain it. That’s where the partnership with PBSP comes in PBSP can take that money and leverage it through counterpart funding to bring in the resources needed to implement not only an effective, but more importantly a sustainable project.

The PBSP-Trumpets partnership is set to build a 1000 sq.m. center in Kidapawan, North Cotabato that will provide shelter, care, formal education, counseling and activities to over 100 Moslem and Christian street-children in that area. The center will also provide a healing environment for children who have suffered abuses, sexual harassment, and other atrocities in the streets or in their homes.

The multi-purpose center will have two separate quarters for male and female, a dining hall, a study and recreation area, a library, toilet facilities and an administrative office. The center will also provide skills training for unemployed youth, training sessions for adults, and livelihood opportunities through simple income-generating projects.

For Trumpets President, Audie Gemora, the partnership with PBSP is putting the gospel of Christ in action. "It is concrete proof that Trumpets not only share the message of Christian hope through its musicals, it has actually rolled up its sleeves to build that hope in the lives of children in Mindanao."

For PBSP President, Ma. Luisa Perez-Rubio, the partnership with Trumpets will prove that it isn’t impossible to help alleviate poverty, if everyone works together.

Before the run of Little Mermaid is over, Trumpets would have raised the money needed to build the center. Before the year ends, PBSP would have built the center and implemented a program that would benefit the lives of hundreds of children in Kidapawan. Before a decade closes, the schoolhouse that Little Mermaid built would have contributed to the welfare and progress of a child, a barrio, a whole town, a whole region, or maybe even a whole country.

Little Mermaid ends with a song whose lyrics go, It’s the first day, of the rest of our lives… a celebration’s about to start! When that center opens, this may be the same lyrics those street-children will be singing.

Those interested in being part of PBSP may call 527-7741 or e-mail to [email protected]