The Save Our Schools (SOS) Network and Salugpongan International held a free concert in which members of the audience were required to donate school supplies for the education of indigenous people instead of paying for tickets last Aug. 10 at the Reggae Grill, Davao City.

The concert, dubbed as Rise for Education, was attended by representatives and guests of various organizations and places. The schools supplies that were donated are to be given to different Lumad groups all over Mindanao.

One of the performers of the event was the famous Manila-based hip-hop artist, BLKD. He also stressed out the goals of the concert.

“This concert is free and open to everyone. Walang entrance fee. Parang chill-chill lang tayo rito, pero at the same time, we are highlighting the issues concerning Lumad schools and communities. Kung kaya’t ini-encourage namin sila na magdala ng donations,“ BLKD said.

Along with BLKD, Davao’s hip-hop artist South Breed and other reggae artists such as Nairud sa Wabad, Kamaggong, Last Tribe, Tortang Talong and Kuntaw were also featured in the concert.

Rius Valle, the spokesperson of SOS Network, highlighted the reasons of spearheading the free and benefit concert.

“This is part of our campaigns promoting education among Lumads. Daghan sa mga IP kay deprived sa ilang basic rights, especially sa ilahang katungod sa edukasyon. Mao nang naningmakot mi sa pagpaabot sa kahimtang sa mga Lumad na kinahanglan ug atensyon ug suporta, ” Valle said.

Valle also elaborated that the concert is mostly an initiative meant to initiate the youth into taking actions to promote and protect the basic rights of indigenous people.

“Dugay nga na panahon nga ang mga Lumad gihikawan sa ilang mga katungod. Mao nang pinaagi ani nga concert, gusto namo nga mapaabot sa katawhan, especially sa kabataan, ang mahitungod sa mga issue ug sitwasyon nga ginaatubang karon sa mga Lumad.

“Kadaghanan sa ila kay mga biktima sa pagpang-abuso ug diskriminasyon. Ug mao ni ang panahon nga mulihok, makialam kita nga kabataan para sa pagpanday sa atong lig-on nga kaugmaon,” Valle emphasized.

The concert lasted for around five hours starting from 8PM to 1AM.