I was invited to see the Loboc Children’s Choir last July 3 at the Greater Western Sydney Performing Arts Centre in Plumpton NSW. Having been identified as a media practitioner at the entrance, I was offered a free ticket. I reluctantly accepted but couldn’t resist offering a donation knowing that the event was for the rebuilding of Bohol which was devastated by an earthquake in October 2013.
To say that the children sang like professionals is an understatement. I was not only entertained. I was totally impressed by their ability to memorise songs in different languages and dialects. They not only sang in different voices but were able to blend alto, soprano, tenor and baritone. Their dance was beautifully choreographed with hand gestures while setting their tiny feet rhythmically in motion. It was like a performance in Broadway.
There was supposed to be no seating arrangement. I therefore wanted to be at the front row so I could take photos for the Philippine Sentinel newspaper. However I was told that front seats were reserved ONLY for VIPs. So I was tempted to declare that I was not a VIP. The usherette then led me to an obscure location on the left side of the stage.
Thanks to the eagle-eyed couple Cesar and Mayumi Bartolome who asked a lady organiser to offer me a second-row seat behind Fr. Ruben Elago. Later, there were unknown young women who took the seats.
Ms. Benjie de Ubago who prepared the Souvenir Program wrote: “On the 15 October 2013, at 8:15 a.m. Central Visayas was awakened by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2, with aftershocks felt through till December.”
The devastation was horrific and damages were estimated at P2.2 billion. Over 200 people died; 1,000 were injured.