AN inspiring voice recital by 11 children from various Philippine schools in Dammam and Al-Khobar helped raise funds for a cultural minority foundation and two members of the Filipino community seeking urgent medical help. The musical recital – “Songs of love, songs of life” – was presented by the Society of Performing Arts-Talents Development Guild Inc. (SPA-TDG) recently at the International Philippine School in Al-Khobar (IPSA) to mark the Eid festivities. The recitalists – all budding singers were: Jasmine Anne Bayani, Krizza Dayandante, Jenibelle de Guzman, Jemuel Philip Deray, Derick Louis Noriega, Jasmine Ann Miranda, Joffrey Toni Pendon, Katrina Porcioncula, Reign Mark Noriega, Yasmin Saleh, and Micah Bethany Valer. Participants went through stages of musical training and were egged on by their parents, family friends, and the audiences. “These children are now achievers and someday, can be counted as the roster leading Filipino singers,” a parent said. And indeed they were no less. Joffrey Toni Pendon's rendition of the standard “This is the moment” with his nascent baritone voice was not far behind the genre of professional singers. And so was Jasmine Ann Miranda's version of “Looking through the eyes of love” and Reign Mark Noriega's performance of “Fly me to the moon.” Completing the musical experience were the SPA-TDG's young dancers: Karen Kaye Bautista, Jemuel Philip Deray, Matthew Jasper Jain, Aubrey Lucas, Abraham Macatuggal, Divine Gain Estrada, Eya Aisha Maquiling, Derick Louis Noriega, Karl Michael Pascua, Joffrey Toni Pendon, Karolina Porcioncula, Katrina Porcioncula, Reem Ramos, Gino Danila Rioflorido, Timothy Justin Tambua, Godwyn Gabriel Valenciano, and Vanessa Rose Velasco. Eight-year old Jericho Bryan Abrenica, younger brother of multi-awardee singer Jasmine Mae Abrenica, and the Acappella singing group Saringhimig were the guest singers. SPA-TDG which was founded in 2004, “with the belief that developing artistic talents requires a holistic approach, harnessing both the talent of the individual and the innate potential for him/ her to develop his/her personality,” has organized several musical stage shows. Joseph de Guzman is the Society's director. SPA-TDG also conducts regular clinics for voice, fine arts, dance, acting, creative writing, digital photography, and self-defense. Proceeds from the voice recital will fund SPA-TDG Education Program and the Cartwheel Foundation, which supports cultural minorities in the Philippines. Emmanuel “Bong” Araya and Stephanie Mijares, who are both seeking medical intervention, will also benefit from the show. __
