BESIDES being good Christians and singers of world-class caliber, what do Christian Bautista, Sam Concepcion and Reymond Sajor have in common?

In a profit-driven business where your last song can be your, oh well, last, the three have been teaming up for the past three months, singing together for the benefit of 3,000 Filipino children under the care of World Vision. Coincidentally, the international Christian relief, development and advocacy organization is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

“We agreed to have their talent fees cut by a considerable percentage. There’s only an honorarium for each performer. Of course, we’re glad to be of service to the organization that supports poor Filipino children. We’re always open to such a worthwhile cause,” said Carlo Orosa of Stages Productions, the agency managing the careers of Bautista, Concepcion and Sajor.

Bautista is also a World Vission ambassador for the youth, together with TV host/VJ/commercial model Nikki Gil. Sajor and Concepcion are sponsors, meaning they give financial assistance for the education of children under the care of World Vision Philippines.

 There has been a nationwide campaign to raise funds for 3,000 children-beneficiaries. Besides the three singers, other entertainment celebrities who sponsor the children are Karen Davila, Miriam Quiambao, Derek Ramsey, Eula Valdez, the Gutierrez siblings (Ruffa, Raymond and Richard) and Marc Nelson.

World Vision communications manager Dominique Monera-Tabora said there have been continuous support from these famous personalities, just what the organization needs to create awareness for its project and to attract more sponsors. World Vision Philippines has 53 areas for development programs nationwide.

In  May this year Bautista, Sajor and Concepcion had a benefit concert for World Vision at the Music Museum. Davila, who happens to be World Vision’s Ambassador of Goodwill, continuously campaigns for more sponsorships via her radio program.

While many sponsors shoulder education expenses of children-beneficiaries, others are given medical assistance, especially those affected by natural calamities.

Quiambao campaigned against child labor and helped children overcome trauma from natural disasters. In communities affected by the Mayon Volcano eruption, Quiambao met up with and read fairy tales to children-evacuees.

Valdez and Ramsey shared their prize money when they played and won in various TV game shows. In September the Gutierrez siblings donated proceeds from their Fashion for A Cause show.

Since 1957, World Vision Philippines has directly assisted more than 250,000 poor Filipino children. Throughout its Child Sponsorship program, it continuously supports about 122,000 children in 34 provinces and 22 cities in the Philippines.

Bautista, Sajor and Concepcion will lead a benefit concert, titled Celebrating Life, on November 24, 7 pm, at the Philippine International Convention Center. They will be joined in by Gil, The CompanY and Girl Valencia.

The World Vision Development Foundation can be reached at (632) 374-7618 to 28, fax (632) 374-7650. Its donor service hot line is 372-7777.

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