BAGUIO CITY – The country’s top musicians and singers will be in Sagada, Mountain Province for a 24-hour running concert, dubbed “Concert in the Clouds”, on Oct. 28-29.
Music producer Ed Formoso, who has handled big names in the music industry and is now a resident of Sagada, conceptualized and organized the benefit concert to help finance various projects and programs in the town.
He said among those who agreed to perform are “Mr. Pure Energy” Gary Valenciano, Freddie Aguilar, Noel Cabangon, Joey Ayala, Raymond Lauchengco, Ely Buendia, Lolita Carbon, and the UP Dharma Down.
Local performers are also auditioning to become part of the event.
At least 4,000 people are expected to watch the concert that will run from 12 noon to midnight of Oct. 28 and will resume at sunrise on Oct. 29 until 6 p.m.
A “no bed, no ticket policy” will be implemented to make sure that the event will only bring in what Sagada town can accommodate. Those who will not be able to get a place to spend the night in Sagada are encouraged to go “balikan” or to watch the concert and leave afterwards.
Tickets sell for PHP1,000 and PHP2,000 for VIP tickets.
Mayor James Pooten said this is the first time that big names in the music industry will converge in one event in the Cordillera and in Sagada, and is thus considered a major occasion, especially because it will be held during a school semestral break.
Pooten assured that security preparations are in place. “The municipal tourism council only agreed to sign the Memorandum of Agreement allowing the conduct of the event after security plans and preparations have been laid down,” he said.
Since the event is community-led, groups consisting of residents have been organized to handle the different aspects of the preparation to make sure that the event runs smoothly.
Coordination has also been done with the provincial police office and the district engineering office of the Department of Public Works and Highways for the safety of the visitors travelling from Baguio to Sagada and back.
The mayor likewise advised those coming from Metro Manila and the lowlands to double-check their vehicles and to drive safely, considering the terrain leading to Sagada. “They have to do double caution to prevent untoward incidents when travelling on mountainous roads,” he said.
Sagada is about five hours away from Baguio City via the Halsema Highway, which has been fully concreted and installed with roadside concrete barriers
Pooten said they will also coordinate with the local government units located along Halsema to help ensure the safety of all visitors. PNA-northboundasia.com