Wazzup Pilipinas!
Climate change is a pressing reality. With typhoons, floods, earthquakes and other environmental disasters looming, our Mother Earth has obviously chosen to cry out loud. But does the general public know the different causes of these calamities? Do they even care? Or has the all too familiar "it won't happen in my lifetime" concept gotten into everyone's heads?
The Philippines' longest running environmental awareness concert, Earth Day Jam, has brought together some of the country's biggest pop music artists, celebrities, public personalities, Socio-Civic groups, concerned companies and of course the general public for over 13 years now.
Through his musical tribute for Mother Earth, they address the most pressing environmental issues affecting the globe, most especially the Philippines, and push for aggressive community based and individual centered participative action. More than just a concert event, they continuously bombard their audience (predominantly teenagers) with audio visual presentations highlighting the importance of environmental preservation.
Various speakers are also allowed speak and thereby give a certain "academic touch" as many of the facts and figures they give are rarely seen on Youtube or Facebook these days. Effective? Well many of the Youth who participated voiced out their reactions online such as: "SalamatEarthday Jam! Sobrang dami naming natutunan!" and "Next year ulit! Let's take care of the Earth! Buti naman may magandang asal na ang tinuturo ng mga banda!"
With its highly publicized success in Manila, Earth Day Jam sought to conquer new shores with its "Earth Day Jam on Tour." Armed with a small group of solid artists, musicians and the entire creative team, they brought the same "Movement Through Music" concept to other parts of the country.
Kicking it off at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu, Earth Day Jam opened the concert to a jampacked crowd with inspired performances from local bandsBambuSpliff, Dance With me Kris and Kaliftra. The Cebuanos however, got loose only during the solid performances of Manila's premier Manila artists .They were mesmerized with eco-artist-producer Lou Bonnevie performing with much gusto and wit that got the audience up to their feet.
Rivermaya, Nina and Noel Cabangon was at their best elements. The group then flew off to Dumaguete for another jampacked performance, only this time to be joined by local band, Skillage and Acoustic icon Paolo Santos in Robinsons’ Activity Center. In less than a week, Earth Day Jam then visited the Marquee Mall in the beautiful city of Pampanga with an added performance by the Bloomfields.
The events, hosted by Karel Marquez, Midi G. and Danica Sotto, all stayed true to their roots. Their main purpose and the all important theme of environmentalism was never forgotten. "Green" games were played, and seedlings from partner government agency DENR were given to the audience.
Environmental guest speakers taught everyone a thing or two about how they themselves could help in the fight against climate change. Several Audio visual presentations as collated and produced by Earthday jam Director Toto Gentica swept the minds of the youngsters that the only way we can mitigate the ill effects of manmade pollution is by making a concerted effort in doing the little things that matter.
Several relief goods were given by the audience in support of the typhoon survivors. KUDOS to the organizers and supporters Ayala Center Cebu,Robinsons’ Place Dumaguete, Marquee Mall Pampanga with Energy Development Corporation, Manhattan Suites Inn, Gery’s Grill , City Government of Cebu &Dumaguete, Provincial Government of Negros Oriental and The Philippine Star .
For more info on the upcoming Earthday Jam 2014 Tour, like the Facebook page of Earthday Jam Foundation or email at earthdayJamfoundation@gmail.com.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
Post a Comment