Ben&Ben will perform their massive hits for a free, one-hour live concert, on Sunday, October 4, 2020 – 5pm Manila, 1pm Dubai.
The concert, Balik Eskwela (Back To School): Puhon Part 2, will be streamed simultaneously on Ben&Ben’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel for fans across the world to watch and to donate funds in support of teachers and students who are “left with limited to no ability to adapt to the changes” implemented in the Philippine education system during the pandemic.
Fans who work on Sundays will be able to watch the replay and still be able to donate after the live event.
This concert is the latest addition to a series of fundraising initiatives by the artists themselves, including ‘Puhon: A Ben&Ben’ Facebook Live event, and their YouTube Live “Doors” Single Launch + Fundraiser – which raised a total of $85,000 US Dollars (AED 312,222) for emergency relief efforts during the COVID-19 crisis in the Philippines.
Why Education?
“Ever since the end of the first Puhon, we’ve been aching to help out even more in our own little way,” said lead vocalist and guitarist Miguel Benjamin. ”And so, when we were figuring out where to help with the myriad of problems in today’s landscape, we eventually zeroed in on helping out a sector that is very close to our hearts: education.”
Puhon means “God-willing” or “hopefully” in Visayan, a southern Philippine dialect.
‘Balik Eskwela (Back To School): Puhon Part 2’ aims to raise funds for e-learning and physical supplies for distribution to public schools, care packages including items such as Personal Protective Equipment and vitamins for teachers and to support distribution efforts that will be coordinated with local government units.
“We have concluded upon analysis that education is one of the areas wherein most help is needed in these times,” added lead vocalist and guitarist Paolo Benjamin.
“School in the time of the pandemic is something that none of us expected, and so we will do our best to help out in this major challenge.”
Paolo Benjamin, Ben&Ben
According to Miguel, this is the first time that Ben&Ben will self-produce a full-length online show during the pandemic, live from the BBTV house. “Expect a very intimate, premium live concert experience straight from our home to yours,” the singer-songwriter said.
‘The Balik Eskwela (Back To School): Puhon Part 2’ project is the second fundraising initiative of Ben&Ben through their community-driven website, www.puhon.ph, which aims to inspire, uplift and boost the collective morale of all the key stakeholders of the COVID-19 response through uplifting stories, music, art, and more.
It could be remembered that Ben&Ben had an exclusive engagement to their Dubai fans through their Facebook performance for Amicable Barter Community in Dubai (ABCD) in July.
Bunch of heart for the community
“We couldn’t be prouder of Ben&Ben!” said Roslyn Pineda, General Manager of Sony Music Philippines, who has supported the artists in raising funds and promoting their concert. “Currently the Philippines’ #1 artist, they are brilliant not just in their music but in their swift orchestration of funding and support where it is most needed – this time around, in the public school sector. With this being Ben&Ben’s first full-length concert online, it will be exhilarating for sure – and we hope to move people to give generously.”
To know more about how you can be part of Ben&Ben’s fundraising campaign, visit www.puhon.ph or check out Ben&Ben on Facebook.
