'Tuloy ang Byahe' for PETA with Noel Cabangon's Christmas concert

Years ago, singer and songwriter Noel Cabangon would go onstage not as a musician with a guitar, but as an actor. Cabangon, who became a member of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) in the early 90s, says he no longer acts, but will use his talents as a musician to help his organization.

 

"It's also my duty to help my organization. Sa kinalalagyan ko ngayon, I think it's also best for me to give my full support to my organization para mapakinabangan din ako. Kasi hindi na rin ako umaarte ngayon. Nagsusulat lang talaga ako ng mga kanta for theater," Cabangon said during a press conference on November 15.

 

On December 13 and 14, Cabangon will be giving a repeat performance of his "Tuloy ang Byahe" concert to support PETA's endowment fund campaign.

 

"In 2017, PETA will turn 50, and we would like to raise an endowment fund para tumuloy-tuloy na ang trabaho ng PETA," said artistic director Maribel Legarda, who thanked Cabangon for giving his time to contribute to the fund-raising. Over the years, Cabangon has done several projects with PETA, including writing the music for its longest-running play, "Lola Basyang," and acting in roles such as Jose Rizal and Emilio Jacinto.

 

"Ginive up ko na 'yung acting ko. I'm not an actor, I'm just a star," Cabangon joked.

 

He may have been joking, but Cabangon's chart-topping album "Byahe" has received many awards, including a Double Platinum Record Award. Last September, his "Tuloy ang Byahe" concert at the Music Museum was sold out, which led to PETA's decision to hold two repeat performances as part of its campaign to raise P50 million in time for the group's 50th anniversary in 2017.

 

Cabangon explained that the concert, billed "Tuloy ang Byahe, (The Repeat) Ngayong Pasko," is not just a Christmas concert, but a concert about his journey together with PETA. "Kung paano pinagtagpo ang aming landas. And now, we're trying to make it an opportunity to further the cause. Siyempre malaki ang natulong sa akin ng PETA, kasi 'yung confidence, and then, writing music for theater is really different from writing a song for an album," he said.

 

Beng Santos-Cabangon, PETA's executive director and Cabangon's wife, told GMA News Online that part of their strategy for the campaign is seeking supporters who might be interested to join the programs of PETA, such as the Theater Appreciation Program and the Workshop Scholarship Fund.

 

"It's like fund-raising, but fund-raising for a cause... They're not just simply giving money but they're also exposing or providing a cultural program for young people," she said.

 

She explained that donations to the Theater Appreciation Program primarily go to financing young people from public schools or poor communities to be able to watch performances at PETA. Meanwhile, the scholarship fund sends teachers to become scholars in PETA workshops. "The challenge now in education is how do you make learning in the classroom more interesting, more dynamic," she said.

 

Although PETA manages without the endowment fund, Santos-Cabangon said it would give them a breather, and make them less vulnerable when it comes to circumstances beyond their control. "For example, we do have a line up of performances on a weekend. If it storms and things get canceled, we really do feel the pinch. But at least when you have some funds like the endowment fund, you feel more confident," she said.

 

However, she noted that the endowment fund is not meant to replace their efforts in fund-raising and marketing. She said the challenge is doing good, meaningful work that is at the same time viable. "Of course we want to reach a market, but at the same time, we want to ensure that our artistic integrity is preserved and the things that we do continue to be for both us and our audience," she said.

 

The idea for the Byahe concert came about when PETA was thinking of a way to engage the bigger community, she said. "We have to start with the resources that we have. We're fortunate that Noel is also a member," she said, adding that he was also able to get other artists interested and involved.

 

"Sina Ogie Alcasid and Aiza Seguerra, they're really into this, because apart from they're friends with Noel, they're also saying 'Yes, because we'd like to support the arts,'" she said. Other special guests include Gloc 9, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garovillo. --KG, GMA News

 

The concert will be held on December 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. at the PETA Theater Center, New Manila, Quezon City. Tickets are available at Ticket World and PETA. Call (02)8919999, (02)7256244, 0917-5765400 or email petatheater@gmail.com for more details. Photos courtesy of the Philippine Educational Theater Association