A gift for disabled children

MANILA, Philippines - Pinoy Pop Superstar champion Gerald Santos and concert producer Marlon Manalang are kindred spirits. Both know the struggles — and joys — of having a special child in the family.

Gerald’s brother, John Vincent, seven, has mild autism. Marlon’s nine-year-old son is a cerebral palsy patient. Thus, when Marlon and his friends in Big Mike Productions decided to mount The Gift, a benefit concert for disabled children set on Friday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m. at Crossroad 77, it was easy for Gerald to say yes.

“My brother taught me the value of patience,” says Gerald.

That’s why he didn’t mind scaling down his talent fee to a mere honorarium for the show that will benefit the Akapin Foundation. His co-performers, Young JV, the Cercado Sisters, Rhap Salvador and Aria Clemente did the same.

Helping, after all, is not new to Gerald. Before his dad put up a business of his own, it was Gerald who put food on the table. In fact, before Pinoy Pop Superstar came along, Gerald joined amateur singing contests to pay for his mom’s slipped disc operation. When he topped Pinoy Pop Superstar, Gerald’s cash prize went, not only to his mom’s medical needs, but his grandmother’s as well.

Now, things are looking up for Gerald, not just where his family’s finances are concerned. He is a semi-regular of Party on 5 (PO5), where he will launch his album next month.

Gerald Santos: Pinakahihintay, repackaged edition, shows the 20-year-old artist at his songwriting best. The all-originalalbum under Prinstar Music Philippines has 12 tracks, four of them are Gerald’s compositions.

“I’m happy at how this album turned out,” gushes Gerald. “It has ballads, pop songs, rock, gospel music. It even has a Christmas song. Most of all, it really brought out the artist in me.”

And since he played a big role in coming up with his new album, Gerald made sure it doesn’t disappoint.

(For details on The Gift, call 239-0070, 0922-4202737 and 0916-774-1594).