Bontoc festival concert to aid dialysis patients

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- - Four dialysis patients are recipients of the proceeds of a concert for a cause  scheduled April 6  at  7 to 10  pm here at the  multipurpose building. 

The concert is part of the lined up activities of the 46th Mountain Province Foundation Day and 9th Lang-ay festival here in this capital town from April 1-8.

Concert beneficiaries - Lea Talangnan, 25, from Talubin, Bontoc; Benedict Mek-eng, 32, from Monamon Sur, Bauko; DhimarDaguio, 30, from Balaoa, Tadian; and Jacel Danggalan from Paracelis- are currently undergoing dialysis treatments two to three sessions a week.  One dialysis treatment costs P2,500.00  per session.

Factory worker Talangnan  is undergoing dialysis for two years already. The eldest among five siblings, she quit her work and stopped supporting her younger brothers and sisters in their studies when she was hit by kidney failure.

Vegetable farmer Mek-eng undergoes dialysis twice a month for almost three years.  Both Mek-eng  and wife are vegetable farmers.

Board passer Daguio is a graduate of Mountain Province State Polytechnique College (MPSPC) with a Bachelor of Science in Crimonology degree. He undergoes dialysis twice a month and has a scheduled kidney transplant from his brother.

The concert features Igorot musician  and composer Bryan Aliping from Bauko  known for his songs Wada san Timpuyog  among other old time favorites.

Aliping shall be backed up by the Perfect Hearts Band composed of musicians from Mountain Province.  

Other performers are album holders Alicia Padalla from Tadian, RizelleSoliba from Bauko-Sagada, and Jessa Valdez from Barlig   who shall be rendering their original compositions.

Other  musicians from Mountain Province shall also be performing namely Arnold Palomo and local journalistFerdinand Castaneda from Bontoc, singing  lawyer and  mayor Anthony Wooden  from  Tadian,  musician Albert  Basilan from Paracelis-Natonin,  young  artist  GwaineBusaing from Sagada, MPSPC school bands- Band Aid and Khiyag.

The concert is sponsored by the Supreme Student Council in coordination with the  Governors league  and  officers of  MPSPC  with support of provincial government of Mountain province  led by Gov. Leonard  Mayaen and  Vice Gov.  Bonifacio Lacwasan chairing the  Sangguniang Panlalawigan.