TWO of the country’s music industry gems—Rockin’ 60s band and Jun Polistico— sang their hearts out during the 14th Women with Disabilities-W.O.M.A.N.: A Concert For a Cause at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura Premier.
Attended by women with disabilities, sponsors, supporters and advocates, the audience were transported back in time when the Aliw Awards-winning artists sang the hits from the 50s to the 70s.
Kicking off the concert was Aliw Award Hall of Famer Rockin’ 60s. The crowd went wild instantly when the band started to play one of the most iconic songs from the ‘70s, Mamma Mia. It was followed by classic tunes such as You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, My Girl, Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) and What A Wonderful World which gave the audience an instant tour down memory lane.
They also got the crowd on their feet and made them dance when they sang the Village People-classic YMCA.
Afterward, Aliw Award Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Jun Polistico impressed the audience with his world-class performance. He sang classic hits from crooners like Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow and Tom Jones.
Polistico even surprised everyone when he did his own rendition of Ed Sheeran’s Perfect. He ended the night with his hit song, Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas.
Known as a loyal supporter of the cause, Rockin’ 60s has been performing for the charity event for several times already.
“[The concert was] very fulfilling for us; it’s our way of touching people’s lives, mostly for persons with disabilities. That elevated the purpose of our singing,” said Rockin ‘60s band manager and and one of its vocalists Titus Santiago, popularly known as the “Ricky Nelson of the Philippines.”
Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee of the concert, Women with Disabilities Leap (WOW Leap)-Social and Economic Progress president Joy Garcia expressed her gratitude toward the support and love they got from Rockin’ 60s and Polistico.
“[The event was] a celebration for women with disabilities. Every year, [we have a] celebration [to] honor leaders and at the same time, [push our advocacy] and lobby for our cause. So [we are glad that] ‘Aliw’ awardees [help and support] us. It was really overwhelming,” Garcia shared.
The Concert For a Cause was a joint effort and project headed by WOW Leap together with Tahanang Walang Hagdan, National Council on Disability Affairs, Autism Society Philippines, AKAP Pinoy and Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, in partnership with SM Cares and other sponsors.