Loboc Children’s Choir charms UN diplomats in NYC

UNITED NATIONS, New York — The Loboc Children’s Choir from Bohol serenaded the Diplomatic Corps at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

The event, "Singing Songs of Peace, Prosperity, and Justice," was an initiative of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations, the United Nations Staff and Recreation Council, and the Philippine Cultural Society. It forms part of the peace and security agenda under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2015.

In her speech before the Diplomatic Corps at the Sputnik Lounge, Ambassador and Deputy Representative Leila Lora-Santos emphasized the importance of youth participation in fostering peace.

"The UN's peace-building approach, including UNICEF, places children at the center, strengthening social conditions within communities, building relationships between communities and governments, and supporting individuals, including children and young people, to participate in forging peace and development in their communities."

She also reiterated the Philippines' commitment to collaborating with other nations to protect children:

"The Philippines will endeavor to contribute to these efforts, including as we bid for a seat in the Security Council. The Philippines, as a matter of law and policy, recognizes that children are zones of peace and cannot be recruited into government forces or allowed to participate in armed conflict."

Ambassador Lora-Santos called on the community to safeguard the integrity of children and expressed gratitude to United Nations stakeholders for promoting peace, prosperity, and justice:

"Communities are required to preserve the peaceful integrity of children. This concert is also our modest contribution to commemorate and give thanks for the earnest efforts of all the stakeholders in the United Nations in advancing the UN mandate of promoting peace, prosperity, and justice in these challenging times. We pay tribute to colleagues at the Secretariat, diplomats from all missions, and friends in civil society. It is also a tribute to all Filipinos within and outside the U.N. who, in various capacities, contribute to this aspiration for a better world."

Lutgardo Labad, tour manager of the Loboc Children’s Choir, expressed his joy at the rare opportunity to showcase the talents of Filipino youth to the Diplomatic Corps: "We are thrilled to be here, marking a historic milestone for the Philippines. For the first time, a Filipino children's choir will enchant you with nearly an hour of musical entertainment, presenting pieces with meaningful messages aligned with the United Nations' vision.

"We firmly believe that children and youth are at the core of sustainable development. These talented young performers from modest backgrounds inspire us with their dedication to education and the arts. By supporting their dreams, we hope to nurture future leaders who will make meaningful contributions to society."

The Loboc Children’s Choir is currently touring the U.S. and Canada to raise funds for the restoration of the 200-year-old Loboc pipe organ, which was damaged by a recent typhoon.

"Loboc, a town in the province of Bohol in Central Philippines, is known as the heart of our musical heritage. Unfortunately, this region is frequently affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and typhoons. One of our greatest challenges is the disrepair and neglect of the 200-year-old pipe organs in Loboc, a treasured legacy from Spain dating back to the mid-19th century. We aim to restore these historic instruments to their former glory,” Labad said in his speech before the Diplomatic Corps.—RF, GMA Integrated News