December 05, 2005

2005 MTV Staying Alive Music Summit for HIV/AIDS draws a crowd of 85,000 People

By News Desk

For the third year in a row, MTV, the world's largest television network and the country's favorite music channel, together with Smart Buddy, Addict Mobile Prepaid, the global Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign of the United Nations, and Frenzy Condoms, brought together a mammoth crowd of an estimated 85,000 people last December 1 for the country's biggest concert for a cause: the MTV Staying Alive Music Summit for HIV/AIDS 2005.

In a marathon show held in the Bonifacio Global City Open Field, over 30 musical acts performed for the massive audience. The main show opened with a festive performance by Brownman Revival and ended with a powerful set by Greyhoundz. Crowd favorites Bamboo, Rivermaya, Parokya ni Edgar, Hale, Sugarfree, Kitchie Nadal, Sarah Geronimo, MYMP, and Christian Bautista were also part of the diverse, all-star lineup which included Barbie Almalbis, The Brew, Cueshe, Giniling Festival, Imago, Itchyworms, Jeepney Joyride, Kamikazee, Kjwan, Moonstar 88, Paramita, Pupil, Radioactive Sago Project, Sandwich, Session Road, Stonefree, Urbandub, Viva Hot Babes, Yasmien Kurdi, April, Zion, and 6cyclemind, among many others.

The highlight of the colorful and high-energy concert was a stellar performance by MiG Ayesa, who was backed up by a "superstar" band, which included Francis Reyes of The Dawn and Junji Lerma of Radioactive Sago Project (guitars), Wendell Garcia [formerly] of Barbie's Cradle (drums), Niño Avenido of Greyhoundz (bass), and Isha (keyboards).

Many local celebrities also came to personally lend their support to MTV's Staying Alive campaign. These included Vhong Navarro, Asia Agcaoili, Alessandra de Rossi, Chynna Ortaleza, Nancy Castiglione, Bayani Agbayani, MTV Supahstar 2 winner and Lady Premiere Eiffelene Salvador, and more. Dr. Nick Alipui, UNICEF Representative, also addressed the crowd to talk about the Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS global campaign of the United Nations and UNICEF.

The concert, which was hosted by MTV VJs KC Montero, Cindy Kurleto, Marc Abaya, and Mariel Rodriguez, also featured specially taped messages of support from international artists and celebrities Kanye West, Ricky Martin, Franz Ferdinand, Rob Thomas, Carlos Santana, Susan Surandon, Ralph Fiennes, Sean Paul, Jamie Cullum, Pharrell Williams, Jamiroquai, Simple Plan, The Bravery, Will.I.Am of The Black Eyed Peas, Jessica Lange, Coco Lee, Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets, Tracy McGrady of the Houston Rockets, Ray Allen of the Seattle Sonics, Dwayne Wade of Miami Heat, and The Speaks. Also offering messages were local politicians and celebrities Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Rep. Francis "Cheese" Escudero, Manny Pacquaio, Gary Valenciano, Richard Gomez, Agot Isidro, Janno Gibbs, Jay-R, Kyla, Jaya, Paolo and Gabriel Valenciano, Mark Herras, and many more.

The gates to the venue were open as early as 1 pm, allowing the public to browse the various booths of sponsors, UNAIDS agencies, and other non-government organizations to find out more about HIV and AIDS. The MTV Staying Alive Music Summit for HIV/AIDS is part of MTV's global Staying Alive campaign, which aims to empower the youth to protect themselves, fight stigma and discrimination, and engage businesses, media and organizations to form their own response to HIV/AIDS. This year, the MTV Staying Alive Music Summit for HIV/AIDS also served as the local launch event of the Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign. Over the past two years, the United Nations and MTV partnership has launched the biggest public advocacy campaign on AIDS in the Philippines. The MTV Staying Alive Music Summit has provided a very high profile forum for dissemination of factual information for young people -- considered one of the largest vulnerable groups.

Catch the MTV Staying Alive Music Summit for HIV/AIDS concert special when it premieres on MTV Philippines on December 17 at 8pm (Part 1) and December 18 at 8 pm (Part 2), with replays on December 20 at 6pm (Part 1), December 24 at 4pm (Part 2), and December 31 from 3pm to 7pm (Parts 1 and 2). MTV Philippines is on Channel 41 for free TV or non-cable subscribers, and Channel 22 for Sky and Home Cable subscribers. You can also ask your cable operator for channel designation.

The MTV Staying Alive Music Summit for HIV/AIDS with Smart Buddy and Addict Mobile Prepaid in support of the Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign is presented by Frenzy Condoms and the United Nations, in association with Energizer Lithium Battery, and with the participation of Converse, E-Telecare, Pepsi Max, and Schick Razors and Blades. The official radio partners are Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT, Jam 88.3, K-Lite 1035, and NU 107. Special thanks to 6 Underground, Bizu, Café Maestro, Discovery Suites, Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation, Information Gateway, MAC Cosmetics, Petron Xtra Unleaded, Pinoyexchange.com, Red Kimono Restaurant, Segafredo Espresso Bar, Trio, and Volvo.