Local Artists Unite For A Benefit Concert at #GabbaFest3
Gabba Santiago, the guitarist of an indie instrumental rock trio band called Tom's Story, held his annual benefit gig concert on his birthday last Oct. 13, 2018 at the Green Sun, Makati.
He wanted to help children with cancer, make use of the concert as a platform to spread awareness about the disease and how a little help can go a long way. That is why his chosen charity is Cancervants PH, a non-profit organization of child cancer advocates, which aims to promote awareness, spread hope, and breed proactive Filipinos.
With his close relationship with the owner of Raccoon Productions and Mots Venturina, founder of Cancervants PH, they came up with this idea and eventually became an annual gathering where local artists and bands come together for a greater cause.
(With fellow bloggers Tahna and MJ, and founder of Cancervants PH Mots Venturina)
There were performances from Clara Benin, I Belong To The Zoo, Autotelic, Reese Lansangan, Cheats, Munimuni, Oh Flamingo, The Ringmaster, and of course, Tom's Story. It was a fun-filled night of music and love for humanity.
What inspired Gabba to do this again yearly is that he was able to help the first donor from #GabbaFest1 to become cancer-free. The proceeds from #GabbaFest2 on the other hand were donated to the Garcia family where their dear mom is now in remission. This year, baby Alyssa Gumba with a rare congenital disorder called Johansson Blizzard syndrome will be getting all the proceeds. Once she has sufficient funds, she will be receiving the proper treatment she needs in Singapore which is still not available here in the Philippines.
Gabba also shared that in order to be successful, you should be passionate in what you do and that it doesn't make you a smaller person if you give back to those who need help more.
I'm so glad that I got to enjoy the concert and at the same time give a little hope to Alyssa and her family. If you missed #GabbaFest3, birthday boy Gabba Santiago is making sure that you get to experience it again next year. If you wish to know more about the event and the beneficiary organization, visit Cancervants PH.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GABBA SANTIAGO!
Photos by me and Mj Iddaro
