The people of Guimaras considered the recent online concert entitled “Pasalamat kag Pasundayag sa Paskwa sa Ti-on sang Pandemya” as entertaining and a way to celebrate Christmas despite the pandemic.

Organized by the Player’s Center Sports Academy (PCSA), Guimaras local artists showed their singing prowess in the two-day event that aims to entertain Guimarasnons and provide them a spark that Christmas is still in the hearts of everybody.

Headed by Dr. Richard Gabayoyo, West Visayas State University (WVSU) sports director, the PCSA is a weekly sports program talk show via Facebook Live. It also features Guimaras local athletes who excel in various sporting events and some notable players who gave pride in the country.

The two-day online concert gathered positive feedbacks from viewers who considered the first event virtual event as entertaining, despite the internet and signal glitches.

For Gerald John Jornadal, basketball coach of Agsanayan Nat’l High School, the online concert was successful because of its invited interest to the people.

Former Guimaras Provincial Tourism Officer Angeles Gabinete said the recently-concluded concert was truly a commendable action of the organizers and partners.

“For the first time, I, myself with my family witnessed the talented Guimarasnons on line performing and rendering their favorite pieces. It’s heartwarming that even these most challenging times of pandemic, Dr. Richard Gabayoyo, a humble man beyond this amazing activity had sustainably find means to showcase these local talents,” she told IMT NEWS.

“Building the competencies of the youths in sports and now in music, acknowledging their past awards and performance during this concert had boost their morales and even made us proud locals and Guimarasnons that this was brought to us online, when we could not have this “face to face. For me, this is a great promotion of our local talents, promoting their self-esteem and entertaining us who had stayed at home for a long time due to health protocols,” said Gabinete.

Featuring Guimaras artists, the event was handled by Musical Director Vanessa June Estrevencion and Asst. Musical Director Diana Grace Galvez.

Local artists who performed in the concert were Vanessa June Estrevencion (composer of “Guimaras: Magabangon Kita Tanan”- a song dedicated to the victims of Iloilo-Guimaras Strait Sea Tragedy, and “Paglaom”- song dedicated to the victims of sea tragedy on its first-year anniversary); Yesha Gatinao (Talentadong Guimarasnon 2018 Grand Finalist); Silvester Gallo Borreros II (Manggahan sa Kabanwahanan 2017 Vocal Solo Champion); Diana Grace G. Galvez ( WVSU Rondalla Ensemble member for three years, and performer in different events local and national); Nica Pauline Eslava (Nueva Valencia KANTANA -CHAMPION Year 2017); Chris Alden R. Estalogo ( Former Member of JBLFMU Kinaadman Chorale); Zycha and Zyche (1st Runner Up Talentadong Guimarasnon); Ma. Christina Kyl B. Abello (Tawag nang tanghalan sa Showtime Contender Season 3); Anthony Jallores (Wishcovery Season 2 Semi-Finalist, Wish 107.5); Danica Rose G. Espenitra (Philippine Coast Guard Band Vocalist Applicant 2020); and Azucena Ballad (Champion Guimaras WG&A Superferry Singing Contest 2013).

“Nami sir kay sa tion sang pandemya nag effort gid kamo nga maka hatag sang kasadya sa iban nga tawo ilabi na gid ang mga ara sa abroad nga longing sa pamilya namon ginpaabot niyo ang ispiritu sang paskwa bisan malayo kami sa amon tagsa tagsa ka pamilya,” shared Beb Mascarenas Gallo, member Slammers Hit volleyball team and a Guimarasnon working in Singapore.

Gabayoyo, the man behind the success of this online concert, said they gathered positive feedbacks from the viewers.

“It was successful despite sang brownout and Wi-Fi connection nga interruption.Tapos mga Guimarasnon happy sila nga na showcase talents ka Guimarasnons and even Guimarasnons abroad are happy to hear their fellows nga nagconcert because it was a historic and memorable nga concert. Others want it to have another concert daw and others want it nga magbalik sa normal na concert mga Guimaras artists face to face na gid. Damo nag congratulate sa Player’s Center Sports Academy kag Guimaras artists for a very successful event,” he disclosed.

The event was sponsored by Julie Rose Habana-Palomo, Randy Toledano, Roan Toledano-Guo, Maricel Gumban and Ailyn Liguan.IMT