THE EARTHQUAKE
n June 8, 2026, a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani in Mindanao. The magnitude 7.8 quake was felt across much of SoCSKSarGen and nearby areas, with communities in Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and General Santos City among those affected.
The earthquake caused deaths and injuries, damaged homes and buildings, and disrupted daily life for thousands of people. In the days that followed, government agencies, local authorities, aid groups, businesses, and residents worked to get food, water, medical assistance, shelter, and other basic needs to those affected.
But the emergency did not end when the first relief operations were over. Families with damaged homes still needed help, and communities had to begin repairing roads, buildings, schools, and other facilities. For many people, getting back to work and returning to something resembling normal life would take much longer.
A COMMUNITY RESPONDS
s relief and recovery efforts continued in Mindanao, the earthquake was also being closely followed by people thousands of miles away. Members of the SoCSKSarGen community in the Tri-State area have roots in the same places that were affected by the quake. For them, this was not simply news from a distant part of the Philippines. It was home.
The question was what they could do from here.
The response took shape through the things a community already had in its hands: relationships, trust, talent, and a willingness to ask for help. News of the devastation moved quickly among people with roots in Sarangani and nearby communities, but sympathy alone was not enough. Someone had to make the calls, find a place, gather performers, enlist sponsors, organize volunteers, promote the event, and create a way for people who could not be there to contribute. What emerged was less a single act of charity than a chain reaction. One person knew a musician; another knew a business owner; another could provide a venue, publicity, food, equipment, or simply an hour of work. Each contribution made the next one possible.
hat is, in many ways, the anatomy of a community response: disaster creates the wound, but connection determines what happens next. The benefit gave people separated by distance a practical way to turn concern into action and gave those with little more than their time or talent a place in the effort. The money raised mattered, but so did the message behind it—that people far from the epicenter were paying attention, that families and friends back home had not been forgotten, and that a community could mobilize what it had to offer when circumstances demanded it. The concert was the visible result; underneath it was an informal infrastructure of trust, generosity, and shared identity that made the response possible.
That response eventually took shape as Bangon SoCSKSarGen, a benefit concert organized to turn that concern into something tangible for those affected back home. In the weeks that followed, people worked to bring the event together, dealing with the many logistical details that come with putting on a community benefit.
THE PRODUCTION
Behind the production, Michelle Cuizon served as Director, with Erica Patricio as Production Coordinator, helping bring together the many performances and presentations that made up the evening's program.
The production crew included Allan Virtucio, Technical/LED; Adolfo "Nonoy" Costas, Technical/Sound and Stage Support; Marco Cuenca, Sound System; Empress Margaa, Artist Hold In-Charge (Back); and Carmela Dalisay, Artist Hold In-Charge (Front).
Special mention goes to Lacso, who provided technical support from The Palace, for his patience, assistance, and willingness to share his expertise with the team. Appreciation is also due to Ping, owner of The Palace, for generously opening its doors and providing a wonderful venue for the benefit concert. His generosity, trust, and unwavering support of the cause helped make the evening possible.
THE PERFORMANCES
The concert brought together a wide range of performers, from solo singers and musicians to dance groups and a fashion showcase. The program moved through contemporary and acoustic numbers, pop, dance and instrumental performances, featured songs, classical and inspirational pieces, and cultural presentations, giving the evening a little bit of everything.
Guiding the evening as emcees were Jon Borromeo and Patricia Dinglasan, who kept the program moving from one presentation to the next.
The program opened with the national anthems of the United States and the Philippines, followed by the invocational song, Heal Our Land, performed by Alain Davis, after which, Overall Chairperson Rowena Mejia-Randman delivered the welcome remarks, and Consul Juan Carlos C. Borromeo gave a special message on behalf of the Philippine Consulate General.
The contemporary and acoustic showcase then featured Magge Cabatuando performing Luha, Judelaine Ramirez Catalano with Anak / Huling El Bimbo, Jerome Amanquiton with For Forever, and Cristy Gania with Suddenly. Speechless, an original composition by Meg Santos and Arlo Virtucio, featured Santos on vocals and Virtucio on guitar.
Clockwise from top left: Alain Davis, Magge Cabatuando, Judelaine Ramirez Catalano, Jerome Amanquiton, Cristy Gania, and Meg Santos with Arlo Virtucio
The pop, dance, and instrumental showcase followed with Hanz Mendoza performing Cool Change, the Manahatta Ladies taking on I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Rasmin Diaz performing her original song Victory, and the D'Kabogera Dancers presenting Sayaw Tayo (Tango Cha-Cha). Ricky Santos rounded out the segment with Czardas.
Clockwise from top left: Hanz Mendoza, the Manahatta Ladies, Rasmin Diaz, and the D'Kabogera Dancers
Clockwise from top left: Ricky Santos, Mendoza and Diaz, Ronald Sumague, and Catalano and Marcus Oche
he featured performances continued with Ronald Sumague performing Winelight / Goodbye, followed by Mendoza and Diaz with Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now. Catalano and Marcus Oche performed I'll Be There, followed by Rain Batingana, who brought a theatrical flair to the program with a lip-sync, drag-style fashion showcase.
The classical and inspirational showcase brought together another group of performers. April Glory de Guzman sang Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, while Oche performed Bridge Over Troubled Water. Michelle Sey followed with Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin, and Ramon Tenefrancia performed Madaling Araw. Pakisusap featured Allan Palacios Chan, Kay Habana, de Guzman and Tenefrancia, while Chan also performed Da Coconut Song. The segment concluded with Libiamo, performed by Tenefrancia, Chan, Habana, de Guzman, Yohji Daquio, and Morris Montilla.
Clockwise from top left: Rain Batingana, April Glory de Guzman, Michelle Sey, Ramon Tenefrancia, Kay Habana, and Allan Palacios Chan
Clockwise from top left: Habana, Yohji Daquio, Morris Montilla, Tenefrancia, and Chan; the band members of SAUT Community Dance Ensemble of Bukidnon; Tribu Mindanao dancers; and the dance troupe of SAUT
The cultural showcase brought the evening back to Mindanao, with Tribu Mindanao presenting the Karal Kafi B'laan Dance and the SAUT Community Dance Ensemble of Bukidnon performing Dugso.
The Bayan Ko / Lupang Hinirang finale featuring all of the benefit concert's soloists and group performers
The concert ended with Bayan Ko / Lupang Hinirang, featuring all the performers, bringing everyone who had taken part in the evening together on stage.
Every performance was part of the benefit, with the artists generously contributing their time and talent in support of relief efforts for earthquake victims in Mindanao. Behind the performances was also the collective work of the production team, volunteers, organizers, sponsors and collaborators who helped bring the benefit concert to life.
Post-show pictorial of all performers and the different behind-the-scenes personnel who collectively made the Bangon SoCSKSarGen benefit concert a resounding sucsess
The evening brought its many musical, cultural, dance, and fashion elements together into one program united by a common purpose—using talent, community, and the spirit of bayanihan to help those in need.
THE COMMITTEE BEHIND BANGON SOCSKSARGEN
ehind the scenes, Bangon SoCSKSarGen was supported by an overall committee with people assigned to different parts of the event. Mejia-Randman served as Overall Chairperson, with Jelin Dohina Asamoah as Assistant Overall Chairperson. Myrna Gutierrez and Habana served as Production Advisers, while Darlene Dilangalen Borromeo was Overall Adviser and Erica Patricio was in charge of the Production Committee.
Eddy Castillo-Arañez handled Venue Coordination, with Mandino Ballicud responsible for Physical Arrangements. Jobert Glenn Tan served as Sergeant-at-Arms, while
Pinky Nique-Espino and Nash Naganga were assigned to the Refreshments Committee. Pops Fruylan handled Communications, and Dories Patena and Lodar Dagoy Escobillo worked on Registration.
Each assignment was another piece of the event that had to come together, from the venue and stage setup to communications, registration, refreshments, and keeping things organized on the day itself.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BENEFIT CONCERT
The Bangon SoCSKSarGen Benefit Concert was supported by a wide group of sponsors, collaborators, and donors. The Palace at Roosevelt Avenue in Woodside served as the venue partner, while Helmstead Farm and the family of Michael and Olivia Patterson—Henry, Eleanor, and Maddie, along with Ziggy and Holiday—were the presenting sponsors.
Healing in Harmony, a benefit concert for victims of calamities in the Philippines, came on board as a platinum sponsor and collaborator, together with its participating organizations and community partners.
Gold sponsors included JPM Physical Therapy PC, RJP Gems, Reagan New York, Sweet Habana, Manahatta Lodge No. 449, Hijos de Davao USA Inc., Mr. and Mrs. Edmond, Janette Oliveros, and Dely Po Go, DNP/RN/LNHA.
Silver sponsors included Columbian Lodge No. 484, Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL), Reliz de Manila Salon Beauty Centre & Spa, Vanguard, FEG RM Team, Tito Rad's Grill, Queensborough West Rotary, Patriotic Filipinos, Handang Tumulong Foundation, Inc., JCI North Jersey, York Healthcare, Darlene Borromeo RN, Claire Camia, and Carmela Dalisay.
The benefit also received individual and organizational donations from Light House of Faith Philippine Heritage Center Inc., Uniffied New Jersey Chapter, Arnel Parreno, Joann Espiritu, Evangeline de Guzman, Castillo and Castillo MD, Marisa Esquivel, Mildred Labrana, Juliet Payabyab, Celma Dumaguing, Glenda Barber, Bituina Malarion, Janette Pilapil, Joycelyn Andes, Isabel D'Angelo, Sara Siao, and Adolfo Costas.
Together, they formed the broader network of people and organizations that helped make the benefit possible.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND SOCSKSARGEN USA, INC.
SoCSKSarGen USA, Inc. is led by President Jelin Dohina Asamoah, with Luisa F. Milone serving as Vice President-Internal, Maria Cora C. Tito as Vice President-External, Nirvana Alpha Vita G. Fruylan as Secretary, and Lodar D. Escobillo as Treasurer.
The organization's Public Relations Officers are Mandino Ballicud and Menard Consulta, with Fermin C. Fruylan III serving as Business Manager. Project Managers Ana Marie Escobillo and Lara Escobillo are joined by Board of Directors members Julius V. Estucado, Matabay S. Siong, Jobert Glenn T. Tan, Janette P. Olivares, Sarah Siao, Carra T. Forgea, and Bituin Pelarion.
Also part of the organization's leadership and support team are Immediate Past President Adolfo Costas, Choreographer Rowena O'Mary, Website Manager Armando Nicolas PJ, and Advisers Prima G. Hower and Lulut P. Chan. Rowena Mejia-andman serves as Executive Director, while Darlene Borromeo is Executive Adviser.