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London, UK- Following the successful launcing of TCC-Hong Kong, TCC has now gain another strength by acquiring its own multimedia and Sound Systems.  It was acquired for the reason to allow more effective fundraising events for its charitable projects back home.

In partnership with its long time partner, Knights of Riza-Westminster Chapter, it is hoped that this will bring them more productivity and help them achieve their goals.

The Multimedia and Sound Systems will be available for hire and proceeds will go to charitable projects of both institutions.

Art Title: Carrot Man and Guitar Man; Perfect Igorot Figures

Art Medium: Acrylic in Canvass Size: 30″x 48″
Art Location: United Kingdom
Artist: Marben Orfiano
Artist’s Origin: Pure Igorot, Kankanae-ey Tribe, Mankayan, Itogon, Kibungan, Benguet, Philippines
Art Interpretation
CARROT MAN AND GUITAR MAN: As the title implies, the two are perfect figurative symbols that depict Igorots. Carrot Man (Jeyrick Sigmaton, Mt Province) symbolises typical Igorots in the Cordilleran Suburbs. It pictures the more natural side of igorots, as exemplified by its long naturally groomed hair and simplicity of his outfit. It also speaks about the extraordinary resilience and strength of an Igorot. Guitar Man (Jon Sawac, Benguet Province) on the other side is a symbolic representation of new generation Igorots that are exposed to the urban life influences. Its long straight shiny hair, headphone, outfit, and guitar does not only mean sophistication, going or advancing with the flow of current fad and trends but most importantly its developed and nurtured talent and creativity.
RICE TERRACES AND GUITAR: These elements speak about our igorot way of life. The worldwide heritage, rice terraces, symbolises our hardworking people with passion and a drive for a quality work. The Guitar means we are artistic. We deal with people and work with art and enthusiasm.
BASKET FULL OF CARROTS: It means ABUNDANCE. Life in the Cordilleras/ Igorot Land maybe difficult but we are blessed with resources. We have vast agriculture as we are the sole source of fresh vegetables and flowers for the whole Philippine archipelago. We have fresh water and our rivers supply the hydropower plants that benefits people in the lowlands. We can even create our own local entertainment industry thru our local movies, music videos, and records.
FADED IGOROT GARMENT/ “WANES”– Purposely placed at back of the carrots between the Guitar Man and Carrot Man, the artist want to imply that between generations and between classes of the Igorot people, we will always proudly carry our CULTURE and IDENTITY as IGOROTS.

Signed:
Marben Orfiano, RMT, MBA
The Artist

Congratulations to The Guitar Men, Kultura Will Arise (KWA) Band, for conquering the recently concluded Battle of the Bands, one of the major events of Baguio Panagbenga Festival 2016. Their win is just another proof that they are indeed supertalents in music. What makes them more super champion is their pledge to donate a portion of their prize to TCC’s Concert for Life 18′ where more than 150 chronically ill patients are supported.

The news was first brought up by Sir Gregorio Taag, Professor at Benguet State University and President of TCC-Philippines, who was then informed by the band:

CONGRATULATIONS KULTURA/THIS BONDED AKA THE GUITAR MEN FOR WINNING THE 2016 Panagbenga Battle of the Bands. According to Jon Sawac, Rex Eilingger, Endrick Kismod and the other members, one of their inspirations in winning this event is the TCC CAUSE – especially for the beneficiaries. They are donating a portion of their prize for Concert for Life 18. God bless you boys!

Here are statements and photos from Jon Sawac, lead member of the band: Thank you Bombo Radyo for the opportunity. And ofcourse to our friends and family, specially the TCC family. Congrats to all of us bands who participated. It was fun jamming along side you guys, we played for the joy of music rather than competition. More power Cordillera bands n artists. All glory and praise belongs to the One above. Cheers! Kultura Will Arise. (KWA).

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The Guitar Men or members of the Kultura/ The Fine 3 Band, shows their excellence in guitar. You would have probably heard other bands playing The Eagles’ Hotel California but so far, this is the simplest but cleanest cover I ever heard. Unfortunately, my battery has gone dead during their play so I was not able to capture the whole song. Nevertheless, they killed the song.

Meanwhile, stand by for their next songs.

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Here is a video of what we are tagging as The Guitar Men. They are actually the members of the Kultura Band or Fine Three Band. They are also natives of the Cordilleras. Their good looks  are “home grown”; with absolute confidence that it was not a result of “racial improvement” brought about by missionaries or caucasians as claimed by an uninformed historian recently intreviewed in a documentary that featured our another Cordilleran brother, Mr Carrot Man. We pity those missionaries who came to understand and help improve our lives; because now they are accused by a historian that they went to Cordilleras to improve our race ( Is that fair?). We strongly believe those missionaries are of high morale.

Enjoy watching The Guitar Men’s so relaxing performance. Share if you did like it.

They have been and are always untiringly performing for free on our Concert for Life Series where chronically-ill patients are being supported. Thanks for their awesome performances that keeps people coming to watch the concert and support the beneficiaries. Thanks also to other bands and solo performers who are working with us. We hope many more talented people be like you.

#TheGuitarMen

London- One more time, talented individuals from different Filipino communities in London are gathering for a charity concert this April 2016. The event is aimed to raise funds for The Cordillera Connection’s (TCC, a registered charity in the UK) Scholarship program at Don Mariano Memorial State University (DMMSU) in La Union and Benguet State University (BSU) in Benguet. Currently, the charity is supporting 40 scholars.
The Charity has also been supporting more than a 100 individuals who have chronic ailment. It has been funding fundraising events for the beneficiaries for their medical needs. Beneficiaries are relieved thru not having to organise events-for-a-cause for themselves. All they do is to sell tickets and keep the sales for their needs. TCC does not take any portion as its commitment. Thru the years, different supporters are taking turns to contribute for the expenses. Thanks to our supportes and sponsors who have been working with us.

We welcome donations for our projects thru our charity’s bank accounts in the UK or Philippines:

Philippines
Bank: Banco De Oro (BDO)
Account Number: 005180227055
Account Name: THE CORDILLERA BINNADANGAN CONNECTION INC.
SWIFT CODE – BNORPHMM

For United Kingdom Donors:
Bank: HSBC
Account Name:THE CORDILLERA CONNECTION
Account Number:71608193
Sort Code:40-02-01
Note For Donors Outside United Kingdom:
International Bank Account Number (IBAN):GB12MIDL40020171608193

PAGSUBOK– A theme song, mostly of a student and an OFW abroad, at home, at a videoke, at a gig, at a jam, and anywhere in the world, will now be heard LIVE in London by the band who made it popular in the heart of Filipinos, the ORIENT PEARL.

The Cordillera Connection, a registered charity in Great Britain is spearheading this event. It will be a great connection between OFWs and students as the proceeds of this event is aimed to support scholars in Benguet State University (BSU) and Don Mariano Memorial State University- La Union (DMMMSU).

Thanks to this nationaly known band who is willing to support our Cordilleran brethren.

The concert will take place on 05 December 2015 from 6pm at Marian Community Centre, 1 Stafford Road, Kilburn Park, London NW6 5RS.

Regular Entrance Ticket costs £15 and VIP ticket costs £30. VIP ticket includes privilege for the ticket holder to have picture taking with the band with their personal cameras and with our official photographer.

For details on tickets/ sponsorships or donations, please contact the following:

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 07411177652

Payments for the above can be made to our Charity account, indicating PAGSUBOK as reference:

HSBC Bank Account:

Bank: HSBC

Account Name:
THE CORDILLERA CONNECTION

Account Number:
71608193

Sort Code:
40-02-01

The Cordillera Connection (TCC) in collaboration with Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Troupe coordinated a program on the 3rd of October, entitled Philippine Cultural Show 2. The show is aimed to showcase the various cultural dances of the Philippines, at the same time raise funds to support and sustain the education of the charity’s scholars and beneficiaries.

To date, TCC have 40 registered scholars. All of which are from indigenous family with an exemptional academic background. Five amongst them have already graduated  last year and  are on a job that are able to sustain their own families and some stayed as volunteers of TCC.

On the other hand, there are more than 50 medically ill patients being supported by TCC. A concert for a cause is regularly held in the Philippines with the support of international branch to make it feasible.

The great news is this is another great opportunity for each and everyone to contribute and be a part of this noble cause. Everyone is encouraged to help in every way possible. This can be done by selling and purchasing entrance ticket to the said program, setting up monthly direct debit as little as 1 pound or subscribing to souvenir booklet.

Moreover, this is a show for  everyone to enjoy our country’s amazing dances and have a great time.

Since the introduction of TCC Scholarship program, our talented women are behind its success. Our TCC ladies around the world, particularly our staff from UK and Canada are making great effort in working out our program. Their efforts ranges from organising fundraising events to finding sponsors for scholars.

In Canada, our TCC team coordinators Irene Thomas, Grace Marcos and Joves, have successfully introduced TCC to one of Cordilleran organisations there and are able to work out with them to sponsor a TCC scholar.

In London, our talented ladies, the joint effort of ladies of TCC and BMO (Buguias-Mankayan Organisation), have engineered the Binnadang Festival, similar to TCC’s Binnadangan Festival Backhome. It was a hugely successful event aimed to raise funds for the new 6 scholars of BMO. In the video, our ladies shown that they are not only talented in engineering events but also in real stage performance. Kudos to you ladies!

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