CEBU, Philippines - The credit for the success of the concert "Barug Bisaya" in Mandaue City should go to the Cebuanos who sympathized with the earthquake and typhoon victims in Northern Cebu towns, Tacloban City, Leyte, Samar, and Bohol.
Twenty-three-year-old Mardonio Flores, a native of Tacloban City but presently working at the Mactan Export Processing Zone said he knew about the concert after reading The Freeman.
At that time, Flores said he was planning to buy a new uniform but instead decided against it and donated P400 to the typhoon victims.
"Dako na kaayo ug tabang sa akong mga kaigsoonan ang akong pagpalit og ticket sa concert," Flores said.
At the concert were Daanbantayan town Vice Mayor Gilbert Arrabis and his wife.
Daanbantayan was devastated by typhoon Yolanda.
Aside from entertaining the Cebuanos, members of Freestyle and Side A Band said that they agreed to waive their talent fees for the concert.
They said during their previous concerts in Cebu, Leyte, and Samar the people supported them and now it's time to return the favor.
Former Calape town mayor Ernest Herrera of Bohol told The Freeman that despite the short days of preparation, the concert turned out to be a big success.
Herrera expressed gratitude to all supporters who went to the concert.
"Sa tanan nga mitabang sa malampuson nato nga konserto, daghan kaayong salamat," Herrera said.
Proceeds of the concert will used to buy generators, food for children, and repair of day care centers.
The "Barug Bisaya" concert was organized by Herrera and friends in cooperation with J Centre Mall, JCI International, JCI Zugbuana, and JCI Cebu-Mactan Channel, and Quota International of Cebu South. (FREEMAN)