ONE OK ROCK Pinoy fans give back to Payatas kids

ONE OK ROCK Pinoy fans give back to Payatas kids
Text and Photos by: Haidee C. Pineda

(JULY 21, 2018) — Rain or shine, the Tomoya Kanki PH (智也神吉) admins, together with the five members of the UP Diliman student organization UP Tomo-Kai, and two other volunteers, went to Lupang Pangako, Payatas, Quezon City on July 21 to distribute school supplies, uniforms, shoes, raincoats and bags to 15 grade school children.

The Tomoya Kanki PH is a nonprofit fan club in the Philippines created by five Filipino fangirls to show their support to Tomoya Kanki, drummer of the popular Japanese rock band ONE OK ROCK. The group yearly celebrates Tomoya’s June 27 birthday through ticketed events such as mini concerts or concert screenings. All proceeds to the events go to their chosen community or institution as part of their gift giving project which started in 2015.

This year, the group’s beneficiary is the Salt Payatas Foundation Philippines, Inc. (SPFPI).

SPFPI is a Japanese non-governmental organization (NGO) engaged in social work and community development that provides educational support and livelihood projects to the residents living in the Payatas dumpsite. For more information about the foundation, visit their website at http://primer.ph/column/genre/ngo/salt_payatas_foundation_philip/.

 

Held at SPFPI’s Likha Shop, the volunteers prepared a short program, fun-filled games and prizes for the children. During the program, the children also introduced themselves and their dreams when they grow up. Some of them wanted to become a doctor while others said they wanted to be a policeman, nurse and teacher.

 

 

Of the 15 children, only 12 were able to attend the event. Also present were Salt Payatas representatives Hanna Grace Abella (Coordinator), Catherine Mendoza (Program Manager), Jocelyn Romero (Executive Director), and Elsie Radoc (Literacy Program Coordinator); two teachers, resident volunteers and some mothers of the gradeschoolers.

 

 

Before the end of the program, the children sang a heartfelt rendition of “Salamat” by popular OPM singer Yeng Constantino to express their gratitude to the volunteers and all the donors.

 

Prior to the gift giving event, Tomoya Kanki PH, in partnership with One Ok Rock Ph, The Beginning and One Ok Rock Ph, celebrated Tomoya’s 30th birthday on June 30 at the Cowboy Grill in Malate, Manila. The birthday tribute showcased performances by indie bands Silver Notes, Shizuka, Placeholder, Unraveled, Takairockz, and X No Romeo. Guests were also treated to some games and raffles.

 

The event was sponsored by Pulp Magazine, Warner Music Philippines, 392 Majokkomachi, Band Patches PH, Fangrl, Amuse Team Philippines, and Philippines’ One Ok Rockers.

 

Venue: Lupang Pangako, Payatas, Quezon City
Event: Tomoya’s Heart Gift Giving Project 2018