THE coronavirus disease 2019 has been around for a year now. The worldwide epidemic has been devastating for many reasons, which is why many individuals feel like the year has both gone by in a blink of an eye and lingered for an eternity. However, it feels much longer for those whose livelihood was halted.
The crisis has negatively affected the majority of industries, but little is known about the damage this has left to those working in the music industry. In addition to losing their employment and being unable to pay their expenses, our local musicians have their music concerts and gigs canceled or postponed, which is one of their primary sources of revenue. Not to mention the anxiety and stress they have to cope with, hoping for a tomorrow where they may play and strum their stings, blow their pipes, and hit their drums in the crowd once again.
To support displaced artists in any way they could, a group from Iloilo City, MuziCares, staged a an online fundraising show at the Iloilo Festive Walk in May last year to gather donations for their cause. More than a hundred musicians availed themselves of the cash and items after the event.
Organizer Emibelle Grace Capalla said, “MuziCares-Iloilo is a friendly group that enables Ilonggo musicians to undertake live streaming and online busking to raise money.”
The project was a huge success, and as a result, the group started hosting musicians in front of their more than 6,500 Facebook fans to raise money, not only in Iloilo but also worldwide.
Currently, the club organizes a live busking event at SM Delgado called BuskCares. Through voluntary payments from consumers, busking is one way to assist musicians in earning a living and provide for their families.
“Since we have more than 100 artists, we need more ways for them to make money. SM Delgado doesn’t have to pay anything. They simply need to provide the location,” Capalla explained.
Due to the mall’s popularity, the group is confident that they can raise a lot of money. However, one of the obstacles they have is how to urge people to donate to their cause.
Now that they are in the midst of a crisis, their sufferings and longings to perform beats, tunes, and melodies for us have resurfaced. If you are able, please reach out and help our local musicians. We all have to get through this pandemic, and when the time comes, we can all sing and dance our woes with them./PN
