Street musician serenades homes with his harp to earn income amid pandemic

A street musician in Cebu has been serenading homes with his harp to earn some income amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," Benedicto Costaños Jr. went viral after a video of him was posted on social media.

Dandee Lequin, the uploader, said he was in the garage when he heard Benedicto playing music near his home.

"It's rare nowadays for Filipinos to play the harp," he said in Filipino.

Before the lockdown, Benedicto said he earns around P3,500 per event as a musician. When the community quarantine was implemented, however, he lost his livelihood and depleted his savings trying to support his wife and two children.

"It's really difficult. It's been a long time since we played in any gig," he said. "We had to rely on government aid to buy the things we need at home."

Benedicto, however, did his best to earn some income and had the idea of walking around with his harp to play for families outside their homes.

He did not mind carrying around his instrument, which weighs five kilograms, even in the rain just to support his family.

"I really looked for a way to earn so when I get home I can buy some rice and viand for my children," he said.

Benedicto said not everyone welcomed him with open arms, with some people even shouting at him and telling him that he is disturbing their sleep.

Since Dandee's video was posted, however, he started getting more clients who requested him to play for them.

The video now has millions of views online and over 150,000 shares as people showered praises for Benedicto's music and determination.

"The music was very inviting," Dandee said. "I thought, 'This is beautiful and talents like this should be supported.'"

—MGP, GMA News