MTV Philippines to hold concert vs human trafficking

MANILA, Philippines - MTV Philippines has joined forces with the US Agency for International Development and local group Visayan Forum Foundation to start the campaign against human trafficking. The kickoff concert for the MTV End Exploitation and Trafficking (EXIT) campaign, an award-winning multimedia initiative to raise awareness about the issue, will be held on May 22 at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. This, MTV Philippines said, is the first of the four free concerts to be held at major cities in the Philippines. “’I am not a robot’ should be our battle cry. This is our stand for freedom – about the rights of human beings to choose where we live, where we work, who our friends are, and who we love," it said in a statement. Local artists Gary Valenciano, Kitchie Nadal, and Moymoy Palaboy have reportedly just confirmed their participation in the campaign. MTV said the three will become “ambassadors of the advocacy" together with Filipino bands Bamboo, Callalily, Duster, Itchyworms, Kamikazee, Kjwan, Parokya ni Edgar, Pochoy Labog, Pupil, Rico Blanco, and Sponge Cola. Prior to the concert, 5,000 advocates are expected to gather for a “freedom march" to express their “outrage" against the “unacceptable exploitation of our women and children and to reiterate their commitment to intensify the fight against human trafficking." The march will reportedly start at Roxas Boulevard and will end at the concert venue. “We are waging a war against human trafficking. We cannot accept the abuse and exploitation experienced by our women and children. We need to uphold and protect their freedom and dignity. We must rally our troops to fight the scourge of human traffickers," said Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc. president. For tickets for this free concert-for-a-cause, you may log on to mtvphil.com or call 7061580. You may also go to the concert grounds from May 19 to 22 where MTV EXIT and SM MOA ticket booths will be present. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV