A Regenerative Celebration of Gratitude
The Energy Development Corporation’s first virtual
Regenerative Thanksgiving Concert owes its success
to the collective efforts of EDC’s valued stakeholders
from around the world. This initiative was held on
December 8, 2021, and aimed to contribute to
social change for the young underserved musicians
of the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY). All
proceeds from the concert were used to supplement
the purchase of their musical instruments. The
40-minute live stream concert was graced with
astounding performances from the OFY and a
surprise guest Ms. Lea Salonga, who delivered a
beautiful rendition of the EDC hymn. Although brief,
the concert was well-received by online spectators.
The audience of EDC employees and stakeholders
were captivated by the performances and got
to share the night of music with their friends and
families.
The OFY is the main performing arm of Ang Misyon,
a non-profit organization based in the Philippines.
Ang Misyon believes that teaching orchestral music
to the youth can help achieve social change. It also
aspires to develop gifted, disadvantaged youth
through orchestral music’s potential to transform
lives while providing alternate career routes in the
classical music profession.
The Joy of Giving and Receiving for Social Good
Gift Giving: A Virtual Christmas Bazaar Pop-Up was
also held to benefit communities supported by the
EDC, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation,
Inc. (ALKFI), and GStuff. The pop-up served as an
online market platform for partner communities to
showcase their products and collect all the proceeds
gathered from the event. On November 18, 2021,
the online pop-up was opened by hosts Ernie and
Michelle Lopez. Online RSVP guests were invited to
contribute by purchasing products made by social
enterprises from the partner communities. Some of
these enterprises were Baslay Farmers Association
and Lim-ao Integrated Farmers for Empowerment
(LIFE), which are supported by EDC; and Seeds
of Hope and Dreams and Tumana Eco Warriors
Organization supported by ALKFI. They sold quality
products such as cold-pressed premium virgin
coconut oil, Arabica coffee beans, and tablea.
“We all believe in the vital support needed to
develop community-based social enterprises as they
become agents of transformation in their areas,”
Ms. Lopez expressed. In a special message, Ms.
Roberta Lopez-Feliciano, ABS-CBN Foundation
Managing Director, also invited the audience
to reflect on the importance of becoming more
conscious about the products we consume and
knowing about a product’s ethical story. “Everything
you’re about to behold was conceptualized and
made by various communities around the Philippines
with the single desire to help themselves live a better
life through various social enterprises. You are not
only purchasing gifts for your loved ones; you’re
purchasing and investing in a better future for all
these communities.”
During the program, community members from both
EDC’s and ALKFI’s supported communities were
able to join live, a way to acknowledge the working
hands and stories behind each item.classical music
profession.
