“Serenata,” whose members are students from various Filipino schools in Jeddah, has allocated 480,000 pesos (roughly 40,000 riyals) to finance four-year degree courses.
The money has been generated from the proceeds of a show performed by the group earlier this month at the American International School, Jeddah, said "Serenata" Chairperson Charo Hipos.
Hipos identified the four students as Jessica Gunabe, Sheila Mae Rabulan, Ruby-Ann Salinas and Vicky Claracay.
Last year, "Serenata" sponsored four college students, who were selected by the foundation, Bantay Edukasyon-Bantay Bata 163.
In its first year, “Serenata” donated proceeds of its maiden concert to families of victims of the 2006 landslide that wiped out an entire village in the province of Southern Leyte in the central Philippines.
In 2007, "Serenata’s" beneficiaries were four primary schools in the various regions of the Philippines. In 2008, its beneficiary was Al-Jamelah, an organization based in Cotabato City in the southern Philippines, which helps women and child victims of war.
Apart from its yearly projects, “Serenata” also holds a concert during the Christmas season for distressed overseas Filipino workers seeking refuge at the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah.
During this year’s three-hour concert that also featured the “Serenata” String Chamber Orchestra, the choir serenaded the audience with their collection of well-loved local and foreign songs arranged for medley by musical director Sylvia De Silva-Delos Santos.
Charles Tabbu, a member of the Serenata Working Committee, said the choir aims not just to teach music and promote Filipino culture and values, but to also help build self-confidence among its members and inculcate the essence of giving and charity.
“Five of our members are graduating from high school this year and they are going to college, confident in what they can do,” Tabbu said.
Among the audience was US Consul General Martin Quinn, who was all praise for “Serenata” “for continuing a really worthwhile activity.” “It’s my third year that I have been through at ‘Serenata’ and I’m really happy to be here; I really love them. I’m very happy that the American school is supporting this program for the third year,” he said.
Also helping make the event possible were the major sponsors of the concert, Pinehill Arabia Food Ltd. Other sponsors are Pharmaceutical Solutions Industry Ltd (PSI), Sky Freight Middle East, American International School in Jeddah (AISJ) and the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ) and Giordano.
Founded in 2005 through the pioneering efforts of Sylvia delos Santos, Desil Manapat and Louis Bautista, Serenata is a nonstock, nonprofit, cause-oriented organization composed of 45 children aged 8 to 16.
- - -
The Participants in the "Serenata" show:
Sheena Loran Calvento, Bennalou Andrea Consolacion, Arij Diampuan, Anne Beatrice Dineros, Gianne Klaire Dubouzet, Mary Ann Duran, Kim Lizette S. Gonzaga, Raphael Louis Hipos, Joy Mae Idica, Dania Mae Indal, Nina Glene Ramos, Ariane Justine Roldan, Rica Joy Tang, Stephanie Mohammed Yassine.
Mary Chastine Co., Miguel Adrian delos Santos, Bianca Mabielle Fajardo, Chelseas Ibon, Melhanie Angel Mandap, Ma. Erica Lassie Marqueses, Polan AJ Palaypayon, Paula Christine Reyes, John Yves Santos, Ma. Angelica Sapno, Khailah May Solis, Kristine Bernadette Solis, Ma. Katrina La Treece Tabbu, Geraldine Valle.
Eunese Dominique Alvarina, Patricia Danielle Cabawatan, Fern Roshan Castro, Ronnalaine Crisostomo, Vanessa Venice Decena, Eljann Aaron Dungo, Diether Estrella, Dwight James Jarina, Micah Abigail Jarina, Kristine Jade Manalo, Alyssa Frances Racoma, Maribelle Karen Zuyco.
Charo Yamsuan-Hipos, Miguel Adrian delos Santos, Ysabel Camarillo, David Savio delos Santos, Giovanni Paolo delos Santos, Danica Espera, Dominic Flores, Mary Chastine Co, Zuleika Casino, John Paul Catapia, Elijah Chua, Allyana Marie Exevea, Chrystal Mhae Narciso, Kenneth Bryan Roldan.
Darleen Castillo, Ingrid Pauline de Silva, Winoma Flores, Dianne Anieka Martin, Sacha Von Riel, Sheri-Anne Roldan, Charles Tabbu, Donadel Rico, Seth Riel, Mylene del Rosario, and Nicole Escalderon.
Sonny Austria, Jeanette G. Cerbito, Ernest Troyss B. Pilapil and Cezzar N. Santos is the concert choreographer.
Charo Hipos, Kiel Erida (concert director), Teddy delos Santos, Charles Tabbu, Ahjid Sayas, Ardel Hipos, Lolit Cua, Donna Rico, Apolinar Gusi, Willy Flores, Elmer Rico, Maricon Flores, Charlee Tolopia, Seth Riel, Edwin Gonzaga, Ruth Tolopia, Cid Riel and Sylvia delos Santos (musical director).
