Isang tinig, Isang lahi: Star-studded concert to aid COVID-19 efforts

Distinguished names in the music industry will come together to perform in a historic event set to raise global donations to fight COVID-19 pandemic.

Dubbed Isang Tinig, Isang Lahi: One Voice, One People Live Aid Philippines, the free virtual concert will entertain Filipinos with beautiful and soulful songs from the prominent guests via ABS-CBN’s digital venue KTX.ph on June 26 at 8 p.m. and on June 27 at 10 a.m.

American singer and composer David Pomeranz will render his hits along with some musical greats, such as Lea Salonga, Regine Velasquez, Apl De Ap, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Joe Mari Chan, Ogie Alcasid, Bamboo, Maymay Entrata, Ian Veneracion, Pilita Corrales, Moira Dela Torre and many others. Sports icon and senator Manny Pacquiao, who is also the major supporter of the event, will join the roster of performers.

According to Cory Quirino, project chairman and event organizer of Isang Tinig, Isang Lahi, the fundraising music show sparked from the invitation of Filipino American Voice United (FAVU) chaired by Juanita Nimfa Yamsuan Gamez. From there, Jerry Perez de Tagle, vice chairman and president of FAVU, contacted Cory and then came Ogie Alcasid and his team who agreed to oversee the production of the concert.

“Everything just came together,” she said during the online media conference despite having only 60 days to put up the concert. “With a lot of faith, prayer, perseverance and understanding, we were able to (put together the concert). Enter ABS-CBN with their digital platform reach of about 16 million worldwide, this dream has now become a reality. Isang Tinig, Isang Lahi is truly a historic project simply because they say, in the history of ktx.ph, this is the first free concert ever staged.”

The more than two-hour musical humanitarian project will not only “serenade the Filipinos worldwide but it also intends to soothe the souls and hearts of Filipinos suffering from this pandemic.”

Likewise, it will also knock on the very hearts of Filipinos here and abroad “to give to those who are more in need and in distress.”

Cory made a sincere appeal “to help our kababayan in this time of crisis,” adding that “this is the time for the Filipinos to come together.”

“Ang mangyayari ay talagang kwento ng ating bayan, kwento ng pagdudusa ng ating mga kababayan. It’s a story of despair, a story of pain but also a story of hope and rebuilding. A story of people being united,” Cory said.

Nevertheless, the message of the program is to not lose hope amid pandemic. “The idea really is to heal every heart and for them to never lose hope. At the same time, in between those messages, from the hurt to the pain, to the despair, to the healing to the faith in God, it will be the triumph overcoming this pandemic,” the radio-TV personality shared.

“In between are the songs from these wonderful artists that are giving their talent to make the message more felt and heartfelt. Every song supports the message,” she continued.

Manny, for his part, sent his words of encouragement, “’Wag po tayong sumuko sa buhay, nandiyan ang Panginoon na gagabay sa atin palagi. ‘Wag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Kasi kung nawalan ako ng pag-asa noon, hindi ako maging ganito kung saan ako, kung ano yung accomplishment na nagawa ko sa buhay.”

He added, “We’re doing this event para makatulong kami sa ating kababayan at makapag-bigay inspirasyon. Higit sa lahat po, ang Panginoon po ang makapag-bigay sa atin ng kaligayan. ‘Yung saya, wala pong katumbas when you have God in your life. Make sure that your relationship with God is strong enough para mabigyan ka ng wisdom and peace of mind. We need God in our lives,” the boxing champ concluded.

Co-presented by CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation, Inc. with ABS-CBN as its official media partner, the free digital concert will have a simultaneous donation-drive for the benefit of Caritas Philippines projects, the Caring Hearts Foundation, Inc. in the US, PGH Medical Foundation, Inc., Tuloy Foundation, Inc., ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc., Philippine Relief and Development Services, Inc. and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).

Shopee will also participate in the fund-raising efforts through its Special Edition Bayani, Kabalikat and Kaibigan Donor Cards.

FAVU is a non-profit organization in the United States with offices in the Philippines, Europe, UK and Australia whose goal is “to create a reliable and secure access for financial donations from around the world with a transparent and high integrity process for funds collection and chain of custody delivery in the Philippines.”

The concert will premiere live via KTX simulcast on iWant TFC with delayed telecast on Kapamilya Online.