A Sarah Geronimo concert was planned for late 2020, but that's no longer happening | ABS-CBN
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A Sarah Geronimo concert was planned for late 2020, but that's no longer happening
A Sarah Geronimo concert was planned for late 2020, but that's no longer happening
Miguel Dumaual,
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 24, 2020 06:47 PM PHT
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Updated Apr 24, 2020 06:48 PM PHT
MANILA — Unknown then to music fans, "Unified" would be among the last concerts to entertain a crowd of thousands before the coronavirus lockdown forced a screeching halt to the industry.
MANILA — Unknown then to music fans, "Unified" would be among the last concerts to entertain a crowd of thousands before the coronavirus lockdown forced a screeching halt to the industry.
The joint concert of superstars Regine Velasquez and Sarah Geronimo at the Araneta Coliseum happened across two nights on Valentine weekend.
The joint concert of superstars Regine Velasquez and Sarah Geronimo at the Araneta Coliseum happened across two nights on Valentine weekend.
At the time, the threat of COVID-19 had started rippling in the country. In the concert scene, that meant successive cancellations of shows. Had it been scheduled a week or two later, "Unified," too, would have had to refund its sold-out tickets.
At the time, the threat of COVID-19 had started rippling in the country. In the concert scene, that meant successive cancellations of shows. Had it been scheduled a week or two later, "Unified," too, would have had to refund its sold-out tickets.
That its venue was packed despite fears over what would become a full-blown pandemic was not lost on Velasquez.
That its venue was packed despite fears over what would become a full-blown pandemic was not lost on Velasquez.
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"Alam po namin mahirap ang buhay, mayroon tayong takot dahil sa mga nangyayari. But you guys are here," she told their audience in a tearful moment.
"Alam po namin mahirap ang buhay, mayroon tayong takot dahil sa mga nangyayari. But you guys are here," she told their audience in a tearful moment.
Just two weeks prior, the Philippines confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on January 30. (As of April 24, that number has ballooned to over 7,000.)
Just two weeks prior, the Philippines confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on January 30. (As of April 24, that number has ballooned to over 7,000.)
"With all the things that are happening all over the world, there's not a day that I'm not worried, because I have an eight-year-old son, and it's very hard to explain why he has to wear a mask every time he has to go to school. I can't explain why he can't go out and play. I am so afraid, I'm always in fear," Velasquez said.
"With all the things that are happening all over the world, there's not a day that I'm not worried, because I have an eight-year-old son, and it's very hard to explain why he has to wear a mask every time he has to go to school. I can't explain why he can't go out and play. I am so afraid, I'm always in fear," Velasquez said.
SUCCESSIVE CANCELLATIONS
A month after the concert on March 16, the entire Luzon was placed on lockdown, which meant prohibiting further mass gatherings including concerts.
A month after the concert on March 16, the entire Luzon was placed on lockdown, which meant prohibiting further mass gatherings including concerts.
Notably, Gary Valenciano was scheduled to hold a two-night concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Instead, he held a Facebook stream from his home on the nights he was supposed to be on stage on April 18 and 19.
Notably, Gary Valenciano was scheduled to hold a two-night concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Instead, he held a Facebook stream from his home on the nights he was supposed to be on stage on April 18 and 19.
International acts have also cancelled or postponed their Manila shows. The likes of 98 Degrees, Green Day, Khalid, Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne, and The Pussycat Dolls would have flown in before June.
International acts have also cancelled or postponed their Manila shows. The likes of 98 Degrees, Green Day, Khalid, Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne, and The Pussycat Dolls would have flown in before June.
Amid uncertainties surrounding the pandemic, including when it will be controlled, music events farther ahead are similarly up in the air.
Amid uncertainties surrounding the pandemic, including when it will be controlled, music events farther ahead are similarly up in the air.
Geronimo, for instance, was poised to hold another major concert in the last quarter of the year, according to producer Viva Entertainment.
Geronimo, for instance, was poised to hold another major concert in the last quarter of the year, according to producer Viva Entertainment.
The pop star's solo followup to "Unified" would have been held in November or December, according to Viva marketing head Jay Montelibano.
The pop star's solo followup to "Unified" would have been held in November or December, according to Viva marketing head Jay Montelibano.
NO CONCERTS, NO WORK FOR THOUSANDS
With consistent sold-out draw at major venues, Geronimo is among the biggest concert performers today. That plans for her second 2020 outing have been scrapped altogether is indicative of another, more pressing plight within the industry: the loss of jobs for thousands of workers.
With consistent sold-out draw at major venues, Geronimo is among the biggest concert performers today. That plans for her second 2020 outing have been scrapped altogether is indicative of another, more pressing plight within the industry: the loss of jobs for thousands of workers.
Especially vulnerable are freelancers, or those who are not employees of companies or without regular employment compensation.
Especially vulnerable are freelancers, or those who are not employees of companies or without regular employment compensation.
"The sad reality is, work may resume for this specialized industry by 2021," according to the fundraising group Faith Over Fear, leaving workers without certain means of providing food on their table.
"The sad reality is, work may resume for this specialized industry by 2021," according to the fundraising group Faith Over Fear, leaving workers without certain means of providing food on their table.
Faith Over Fear is also the name of a recent virtual concert that gathered artists for a cause. With streamed performances from their respective homes, musicians urged donations for live events workers to help provide their basic needs for the duration of the lockdown.
Faith Over Fear is also the name of a recent virtual concert that gathered artists for a cause. With streamed performances from their respective homes, musicians urged donations for live events workers to help provide their basic needs for the duration of the lockdown.
On April 16, the group distributed a total of P500,000 in cash assistance to 97 production freelancers, or around P5,100 each. Faith Over Fear is aiming to raise P900,000 to cover the entire list of its beneficiaries. Those who wish to donate can see details here.
On April 16, the group distributed a total of P500,000 in cash assistance to 97 production freelancers, or around P5,100 each. Faith Over Fear is aiming to raise P900,000 to cover the entire list of its beneficiaries. Those who wish to donate can see details here.
The government, through the Film Development Council of the Philippines, has similarly launched a financial aid program specifically for freelance workers in the live events industry.
The government, through the Film Development Council of the Philippines, has similarly launched a financial aid program specifically for freelance workers in the live events industry.
The initial release of one-time cash assistance of P5,000 or P8,000 covers those who lost jobs within March 15 to April 30, or the original duration of the lockdown. That quarantine has been extended until May 15.
The initial release of one-time cash assistance of P5,000 or P8,000 covers those who lost jobs within March 15 to April 30, or the original duration of the lockdown. That quarantine has been extended until May 15.
The FDCP said it will prioritize low-income individuals — or those who earn P3,000 or below per show, or not more than P20,000 per project — in the first wave of disbursement of funds.
The FDCP said it will prioritize low-income individuals — or those who earn P3,000 or below per show, or not more than P20,000 per project — in the first wave of disbursement of funds.
Freelance workers in the live events industry can find application details here.
Freelance workers in the live events industry can find application details here.
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