WOW Pinoy

Adieu Los Angeles, Hello San Diego, San Francisco!

Written by Ms. Confuse on Saturday, May 03, 2008

DIAMOND BAR—The Kundirana 2007, a nine-member singing ensemble from Manila, left here on May 1 on their way to two performances in San Diego and a show in San Francisco. The singing group, composed of students from De La Salle High School in Manila, had performed at the Wilshire-Ebell Theater in Los Angeles and at The Haugh Performing Arts Center in Glendora last week.

Now on its 36th year, the annual concert is a joint project of the St. Denis Catholic Community and the La Salle Young Artists Foundation to benefit Bahay Pag-Asa, a corrective and transformational facility for young law offenders in Bacolod City, Philippines. Bahay Pag-Asa is a project envisioned by De La Salle University, Bacolodpresident Bro. Gus Boquer. He also introduced the idea of holding concerts in the US to benefit his pet project.

Just like in 2007, Bahay Pag-Asa received $10,000 donation this year. The check was presented to Bro. Gus following the gala concert at Haugh Performing Arts Center in Glendora on Sunday, April 22.

“These remarkable young men from De La Salle High School (in Greenhills, Metro Manila) come to America, every year, to share their message of hope through their music. What a blessing to be able to share in their work of mercy at the Bahay Pag-Asa,” says Lisa Santos, overall US Angeles Coordinator of Kundirana concerts.

The moniker Kundirana was derived from two Tagalog words: kundiman and harana. Successful and famous Filipino performing artists, including Gary Valenciano, Randy Santiago, Ogie Alcasid, and the reigning Philippine Idol, Gian Magdangal, among others, are members of the group.

Raffy Hidalgo, a 17-year-old bass singer, said that he was elated by the response of the audiences in their LA and Glendora concerts. “The audiences were very receptive,” Raffy related. “They participated in the concerts by standing up and dancing, applauding, and that boosted our spirits because we felt that they were very happy.”

Sixteen-year-old tenor Riel Dones joined Kundirana when his mother urged him. Adamant at first, Riel soon found out that being a Kundirana member helped him enhance his singing skills while helping the people in need.

But Riel feels a tinge of sadness, minutes before boarding a tour bus that would take them to San Diego “because it feels like I am leaving my new family in the US,” Riel laments. “At the same time, I also feel happy knowing that I have done my duty.”

Like Raffy, he was charged by the participation of LA and Glendora residents. “It was great,” he gushed. “The crowd was great; people were dancing and participating, so we performed our hearts out.”

“The Kundirana ministry is all about touching hearts and transforming lives,” Bro. Gus said before he and the boys left for San Diego. “We are deeply honored to be here, through the generosity of the St. Denis Catholic community; to (St. Denis Pastor), Fr. James Loughname, and to Lisa Santos and the other committee members. Bahay Pag-Asa is again the beneficiary of this ministry in the US.”

The La Sallian brother also said that the youths in Bahay Pag-Asa have suffered deeply in life, but the Kundirana ministry is giving them hope. “Their hopes have been strengthened by the collective efforts of the community of St. Denis Catholic Church. “The gift of giving and sharing is edifying to all of us. This is big in the eyes of God; there is nothing small in the eyes of God. We all have a legacy to leave behind when we leave this earth; the good we do in life will live long after us,” he stressed.

Last year, the event featured Little Miss Kundirama, which was participated by young girls who helped raise funds for charity by selling concert tickets. Contestants Stefanie Janelle Abejuela, Fatima Meliza Flores, Danica Therese Jose, Michelle Jennifer Mockler, Laurem Muriel Ross, Geraldine Fortin Sagun, Noelle Alexis Tablante, and Justine Michelle Tunque, Mailynn Evangelista and Kamiryn Nicholas were serenaded by singers EJ and Brendon Banares, students of the Aldeguer Performing Arts School. Teri Aldeguer choreographed and directed the dance numbers.