Rock for F.A.N (Fully Abled Nation)

Host and PWD Advocate - Rovilson Fernandez 

Concerts for a cause are becoming popular here and there and why not? You gather a crowd through music and get to raise awareness for a cause it's a win-win situation right? And this is exactly what took place last May  6, 2013 at Eastwood Central Plaza during Dakila's Rock for F.A.N (Fully Abled Nation) concert whose purpose was to encourage participation among the Person's with Disabilities to participate during the upcoming elections. 

The event was organized by Dakila (Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism) in partnership with the Disability-Inclusive Elections initiative or Fully Abled Nation. This endeavor was made possible through The Asia Foundation as part of the Australian Aid's program on Disability-Inclusive Development.  

Hosts - Saab Magalona and Dj Lambert. 

Promotional Poster for the Event. 

The event also made transpired through the help and support of Locked Down Entertainment, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Eastwood City and Jam 88.3. 

Long Time No See

People often go to a benefit concerts for the rock stars and the music then the cause would just be an added bonus but Rock for F.A.N (Fully Abled Nation) was really different because the event was to encourage our PWD brothers and sisters to participate during the upcoming elections and this show was really all about them, since the event also featured acts like blind rockers 'Long Time No See' (see the photo above) and the Professor X of the Philippines - Righteous One and he is one mean rapper and he also does Flip Top! Check out a video of him here. 

Righteous One

Franco goes acoustic 

I know that Paul was specifically looking forward to Franco's performance since he is a big fan. Franco's voice and music is often heard in the car during our trips. 

The rocker went acoustic for the event and his music was just so moving and I even saw a beautiful scene that had tears threatening to come pouring down - during Franco's performance, lyrics were being translated through sign language for the PWD who were present during the concert and the translator was even swaying to the music, his body moving in time with the beat and the rhythm as his hands translated the lyrics. That scene was just so moving for me, it was so beautiful to see how music transcends, the night was really for them, it was all about them. 

Franco is all smiles amidst the Eastwood lights 

The Asia Foundation's Maribel Buenaobra also went up on stage and talked about the purpose and the objective of the event which is to encourage PWD's to vote during the elections. The event is non-partisan, they are not campaigning for any party-which was a relief that there was no stain of politics during the event just the genuine wish to bring awareness and to encourage not only the PWD to vote but for all of those present to support the PWD during the elections. This can easily be done by assisting them to the polling stations, you can drive a neighbor and help them cast their vote; we can also make polling stations PWD friendly by having ramps installed among others. 

For more details on how to do your part in a Fully Abled Nation visit www.fullablednation.com   

Malay

Itchyworms

Crowd favorite Itchyworms was one with the crowd by taking photos and promising to post it on Instagram. 

Maude

Pulso

Up Dharma Down

Armi Millare of Up Dharma Down was still battling the flu when they performed but her distinct voice still rang beautifully through the crowd who also helped her with some of the songs. 

Spoken Word Artist: Miko Pepito

There were some games in between performances which focused on sign language and host and PWD champion Rovilson Fernandez encouraged the audience to also learn sign language. 

Soapdish

Jeff Bolivar of Soapdish 

Jay of Kamikaze with the crowd

It is sad to note that only 50% of PWDs voted during the 2010 elections. Every one of our votes count and that also includes their votes as well. The objective of these events are truly admirable and a little support and encouragement from us to our brothers and sisters who belong to the PWD group can truly go a long way. 

This is not just a call for the PWD to go out and vote but it is also a call for us to do our part so that they will be able to vote. 

There is much word play that goes on with a 'Fully Abled Nation' as it enables each and everyone of us to be part of change in our country. We are all able, we are all enabled and so shall we be catalyst to a better future and country.  

For more photos of the Rock for F.A.N (Fully Abled Nation) click here to go to our Facebook Page.