‘Concert in the Clouds’ aids PWDs, Red Cross

   By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE –  The much drummed up ‘concert  in the clouds’ here in sitio Maduto of southern Sagada  on October 28 and 29 aims to raise funds for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and special education (SPED)  among other sectoral causes.

The SPED Center temporarily housed at the old Parish office of the Church of St Mary the  Virgin (CSMV) initially enrolled 14  special  children  Funded  by  Manila- based Center for Possibilities  with counterpart from parents, the SPED Center’s  registration with the Department of Education is on process since the center was opened in 2016.

PWDs both physical and mental disabilities  in Sagada number  nearly a 100 cases, a fraction from Mountain Province’s nearly 2000 recorded PWDs.

Other sectoral  causes that the two day Sagada  Arts, Music and Peace Fair supports with its proceeds are host communities of southern Sagada, guides, senior citizens, farmers, athletes, day care centers, children’s playgrounds, art clubs and Red Cross.

The event features  national musician- artists Gary Valenciano, Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, Lolita Carbon, Up Dharma Down and Ely Buendia, among others.

Said event is organized by musician-producer  Ed Formoso and partners Sagada Environmental and  Guides Association (SEGA), Sagada  Genuine Guides Association( SAGGAS) and the  Bangaan, Fidelisan, Tanulong, Aguid Madongo Guides Association (BFTAMPGA) in agreement with representatives of southern Sagada  and in partnership with the local government unit

Said event has earlier undergone consultation by Formoso with barangay officials of southern Sagada, innkeepers group, guides, municipal local government officials, municipal tourism council and other individua

A consultation-validation with folks of southern Sagada  followed  conducted by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). 

Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative  (IPMR) Jaime Dugao said a full  blown free prior informed consent (FPIC) is not necessary considering that the concert  is primarily a community event and not extractive.

Meantime, products including  the town’s woven materials and  food  shall be on sale during said concert. Vendors are invited to display their products during  the two-day event.