Meet the Maharlika Singing Ambassadors

In town is an impressive group of young talents from the United Kingdom. It is called the Maharlika Singing Ambassadors and we had the chance to sample their own kind of music and showmanship when they performed at the Asilo de San Vicente de Paul last week.

The program, hosted by singer/songwriter Girl Valencia, started with the group’s beautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace," followed by an opening/welcome speech by Allan Fajardo, general manager and managing director of Candid Records Philippines.

The members of the group, after performing "What a Wonderful World," a composition of Fredric Herrera, were interviewed individually and later performed with special guest Enrique Marcos another Fredic Herrera song "(I’ m Your) Friend" and with the Asilo de San Vicente de Paul children "Palimos Po/Pity on Me," composed by Vehnee Saturno. Before their finale number, "Sing a Song of Love," the Maharlika Singing Ambassadors also sang "Heal the World."

Before the musical program ended, a check for R100,000 was presented to Sr. Teresita Laguna, DC and Sr. Elisha Barranco, DC of the Asilo, by Allan Fajardo and Ms. Madelyn Richardson.

The Maharlika Singing Ambassadors, composed of Chelsea Alonzo, Charmaine Armitage, Jasmine Bird, James Michael Cruz, Stephanie Mingo, Ivette Chrisha Ramos, Chantal Richardson, Sarah Maguire and Nicole Villarin, came over to promote their debut album entitled "What a Wonderful World," under Zone 7/Candid Records. The inspirational album is earmarked to raise more funds and create awareness to Asilo de San Vicente de Paul’s current humanitarian projects.

The group was formed specifically to help reach out and raise funds for underprivileged children in the Philippines. The young and talented group (with ages range from 8 to 14) has performed on various fund-raising projects across UK and serves as the "ambassadors of hope and goodwill" among the Filipino community in England.

The group’s debut album "What a Wonderful World" features 16 inspirational songs from classic favorites including "Amazing Grace," "I Am But a Small Voice," "One Little Candle," "Wind Beneath My Wings," "Heal the World," "He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands," "Someone’s Waiting For You," "Best of Me and You," "I Believe" and "He Will Carry You" to beautiful originals written by Vehnee Saturno ("Children of the World" and "Pity One Me") and Fredric Herrera ("Sing a Song of Love," "I’m Your Friend," "I’ll Be There for You," and its carrier single, "What a Wonderful World!").

Allan Fajardo said "Our dedication to help the children of Asilo and support its projects including people in crisis and street children who were neglected, orphaned, abandoned, and who were deprived of the basic right for an education, drives our passion to organize this charity work on an annual basis. We are glad that every year, through our small efforts, we have been able to help various charitable organizations including Bantay Bata 153 and the Cancer Society of the Philippines."

Asilo de San Vicente de Paul, located along UN Ave., is also a halfway home for individuals and families in crisis situation. It also provides temporary shelter for street children and is also a healing home for the sexually abused. Aside from these, Asilo also conducts vocational short term training in livelihood skills.

In line with the recording company’s fund-raising project for the Asilo, Maharlika has been performing live in various SM branches and venues since their arrival last week. They’ve performed in SM Fairview, SM San Lazaro, SM Centerpoint, Enchanted Kingdom (yesterday and on Aug. 12). They are also scheduled to perform at the Holy Child Catholic School in Tondo (Aug. 7 at 7 a.m.), SM Pampanga (Aug. 9, 5 p.m.), SM Marilao (Aug. 10, 5 p.m.), SM Molino (Aug. 11, 5 p.m.), SM Batangas (Aug. 13, 5 p.m.), Office of the Ombudsman (Aug. 14, 7 a.m.), Apalit Municipal Hall Covered Court in Pampanga (Aug. 16, 4 p.m.), SM Pampanga (Aug. 17, 5 p.m.) and SM Baguio (Aug. 18, 5 p.m.).

Candid UK Managing Director Nieves Pascua–Bates, our kababayan from Asingan, Pangasinan, came over last month to finalize all these fund-raising activities of the Maharlika Singing Ambassadors. She said then that the Maharlika members (accompanied by their parents) are all excited and glad to share their time and talents in aid of other children less fortunate than themselves…"

By the way, Zone 7/Candid Records Phils. is now on its third year and is continuing its charity work with its pilot project "An Album with a Big Heart," which has stayed true to its main goal of not just to serve the needs of disadvantaged children but also to inspire people through songs and music to help and reach out to people in need.

"What a Wonderful World" is now avaialable only on CD in selected SM record bars released through Zone 7/Candid Records and distributed by Ivory Music and Video Inc.

Incidentally, Maharlika’s album tour is supported by Zagu and Enchanted Kingdom.

** excerpt from Manila Bulletin 

LINK RESOURCE: http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2006/08/07/ENTR2006080771112.html