Earlier this year, the usually low-key metropolis of Marawi located in the province of Lanao del Sur became the battleground for an armed conflict. According to AFP, more than 1,000 people died, almost 500,000 people were displaced and around 40 percent of the entire city was destroyed. The air was replaced with the noise of gunshots, bombs and desperate cries for help. Then after the siege, came silence.
On December 1, Coke Studio brought music back to Marawi through a mini-concert featuring university musicians from the Iligan Institute of Technology, the Iligan Medical Center Hospital and St. Michael’s College Iligan. Other students distributed hydration kits to over 5,800 Marawi evacuees in Sta. Elena, Saguiaran Gym and Buru-Un SF.
A solidarity concert and hydration drive were also held the following day at Saguiaran Covered Court, which featured Coke Studio Artists, the Ransom Collective and Franco as well as local bands.
It was also revealed that the Little Red Schoolhouse, in partnership with the Coca-Cola Foundation will help rebuild a school in Marawi in 2019. Students from 12 different schools in Metro Manila can also take part in the cause. Coke Studio red bins will be placed in these schools and students can post photos of them contributing empty Coke plastic bottles for a chance to win limited edition Coke Studio headphones. Collected plastic bottles will be turned into cash and will be used for the rebuilding efforts. The more trash recycled, the more money raised.
To culminate the first season, Coke Studio will be holding a Live Benefit Concert for the victims of the Marawi siege on December 9 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds from 2PM until 2AM.
The Benefit Concert will feature all 13 Coke Studio Artists namely, Sandwich, Franco, The Ransom Collective, Autotelic, Gracenote, Gab & John, Abra, Curtismith, Ebe Dancel, Reese Lansangan, BP Valenzuela, Noel Cabangon and Moonstar 88.
In addition to the performances of the Coke Studio Artists, you can also watch college bands perform their original songs via Tune Bayan. There will also be a Food and Bazaar Christmas Village, Coke Studio Christmas Wall and Coke Studio Modules where you can sing your favorite songs, get your personalized Coke Studio bottle and take home your Coke Studio photo prints.
Admission is free, but everyone is encouraged to bring empty Coke plastic bottles to help the concert’s recycling drive.
Together the artists and the fans can both bring music back to Marawi. For more information about the concert, visit the COCA-COLA Facebook page or click here: https://facebook.com/events/1799657613666666/