As a response to the times of need, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), Ateneo de Davao University’s partner in Sustainable Development Movement (SDM), held an online benefit concert yesterday via Facebook Live.

“Himig ng Kalikasan: Nagkakaisang Tinig para sa Kinaiyahan” sought to provide aid to the affected Bantay Bukid and Bantay Aweg volunteers in Panigan-Tamugan Watershed (PTW). These frontline protectors of PTW conduct regular patrolling, monitoring, and reforestation initiatives in denuded portions of the watershed.

The concert showcased the talents of various local Mindanaoan artists, storytellers, spoken poets, and performers, including Ang Teatro ng Ateneo, Koro Illumina, Maan Chua, and Joey Ayala.

IDIS aimed to reach 100,000 pesos and with in-kind donations with the help of its various non-profit organization partners.

All the funds raised from the benefit concert would go directly to Bantay Bukid and Bantay Aweg volunteers and their families, whose livelihoods were greatly affected by the global health crisis.

Performers shared their messages of hope and inspiration through their craft.

“I believe that in every [circumstance], may it be good or bad that we are experiencing right now, we can always find hope in everything. Just looking around our environment, the beautiful nature that God has given us, it’s a great blessing for all of us,” Christine Megrino shared her interpretation of the song “Only Hope.”

Anj Bermudez expressed the role that love plays in protecting the environment.

“I believe that in whatever we do, we must do it out of love because love comes with joy and peace of mind. That’s why we can truly accomplish all the things that we are doing for the environment because it is something you love,” she said.

Encouraging people to be the vessel of the environment, Gab Mallorca reminded that “our love for our environment reflects from ourselves, so we should start with ourselves first and let us be the vessels of nature.”

Calling for unity in taking care of the environment, Jessica Gumapac hoped that her performance “will inspire people to be an advocate in caring and preserving our Mother Earth. Let us be a good influencer in saving back our nature.”