“Do to others what you want others do unto you.”
This golden rule once again proved its real-life meaning.
A talented singer from Bohol, who once asked TCC to help her province when it was struck by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake in 2013 has now wholeheartedly given back support to TCC. Gee Luengo, a singing talent of Bohol, helped mobilise a charity event back in 2013 intended to raise fund for Bohol Earthquake and SuperTyphoon Yolanda. Thru the said event, TCC was able to raise Php54K for Bohol. This fund was then used to repair a library in Gee’s locality, Tubigon, Bohol. Gee was so thankful of TCC since, and promised to help back in the future.
Ela Hidalgo, also an active team member of TCC, tells below the story on how Gee has put TCC in her heart.
January 28 (Sunday) BAR FM , was the night wherein eight contenders for the title of Master of Songwriting, the first filipino songwriting competition in London, performed their songs live. They were Emma Lauson , Eugene Arcilla, Dodie Victorino, Gee Luengco, Harin Perera, Ken Kiwas, , Nane Guno and Regin Raquedan. All of the eight contestants really showed their creativity in expressing how they feel, through writing their own songs. They all performed amazingly. Although they are equally talented, in every competition, there are winners to be declared and chosen by the judges, through certain criteria. The said contest was judged by professional musicians, radio and TV journalists namely, Rey Abesamis of One Philippines , Alexa Taag of A’ GEM, Ronald Dalida of Pinoy Underground, Ador Miranda of Radyo Manila UK and Rose Eclarinal of the biggest Filipino channel, ABS- CBN.
Therefore, the songwriters who had their winning songs are:
Gee Luengco : Grand Champion with her song “Internet”, based on the Overseas Filipino Workers’ life in Hongkong. Luengco said, she was inspired to write a song about the lives of OFW as she witness how hard life is working abroad. This is about an OFW who is a breadwinner and working so hard for her family back home and uses the Internet to find a lover, hoping that that someday, true love and love will be found.
“ I was overwhelmed and thankful that my song was chosen and I bagged the grand prize. I did not expect anything except that I only wanted my songs to be heard. I would like to say Thank you to all organisers of Masters of Songwriting 2018, Mr. Michael Cana and Miss Ela Hidalgo for making this event possible. This helps improves and develops confidence as a musician. I would also want to encourage, young musicians to write their own song lyrics and develop their own musical styles”, says Luengo. She received a £300 cash, guitar, 2 nights stay in Belmont Hotel Pasay Philippines with breakfast for 2 persons, 1 hour body massage and a trophy.
Luengo promised herself that she will share her first cash reward to charity. She had chosen the Cordillera Connection, a UK registered charity as her beneficiary. According to her, TCC is one of the many who helped out in rebuilding school and churches in Tubigon Bohol when her province was hit by earthquake in 2013.
Regin Raquedan : First Runner Up with his song, “Binalewala”. He received a £150 cash, 30 minutes massage voucher and a trophy.
Nane Guno : Second Runner Up with her song, “ Habang buhay ang Gabi”. She received £50 cash, 30 minutes massage voucher and a trophy.
Gee Luengo generously donated £200 of her £300 prize to TCC. This is a big help in supporting TCC’s charity works in the Philippines. TCC, established here in the United Kingdom is also supported by its different chapters and supporters in Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Thailand, Singapore, and OFWs in other countries.
This proves that TCC, because of its genuine charity works, is blessed by the Divine Almighty, our Creator. Though full of challenges, He gives light and hope for the continuity of its calling.
THE CORDILLERA CONNECTION 