ARMM gov supports media benefit concert

ISABELA CITY, Basilan  -– While bracing for solemn commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre, trauma-stricken local journalists enjoyed a rare chance with Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Acting Governor Hooky A. Adiong joining them in singing for a cause last week.

ARMM Information Chief Ali Macabalang disclosed that Adiong, a musical enthusiast, whose 20-month reign in ARMM has developed a cordial rapport with various sectors including journalists, rendered four songs related to peace and amity-building at the “Media Sonata” sponsored by the local media last Nov 14 in conjunction with the 22nd foundation anniversary celebration of the autonomous region.

Lasting from more than five hours at the lobby of the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center inside the ARMM complex in Cotabato City, the musical event was sponsored by local members of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (UNJP) and Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) to raise funds for handicapped fellow journalists and other charity works.

The Maguindanao massacre which left 57 people killed including 32 media practitioners, will be in its second year anniversary today (November 23) and both visiting and resident-journalists will commemorate it right at its bloody site in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Fernandez said the benefit concert, which the Adiong administration co-sponsored, was “long overdue” in a region that is still reeling from the adversities of the massacre.

The proceeds of dinner concert “would be used to help members of the media needing medical assistance,” said Jeffrey Mendez, news writer of the Catholic-run dxMS radio station and over-all coordinator of the event.

ARMM cabinet officials and their families alongside officials of foreign donor institutions joined Acting Governor Adiong in gracing the event, which also saw almost a dozen of print, broadcast and social media practitioners showcasing their singing and dancing talents. (AGM/PIA9-ZBST)