Leadership and cooperation needed in time of hardship

Filipino musicians find ways to navigate pandemic

Remember Anton Goonetilleke? While in Sri Lanka, he was associated with many prominent bands, including Jade.

Anton is now big in the Philippines – not so much as a musician, but in the business field.

He is now Consultant/Trader Coffee (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea).

Anton had a very interesting observation to make, regarding the musicians, in Iloilo, Philippines, where he now resides, especially the solo musicians, who were suddenly facing a lack of employment, because of the pandemic.

Says Anton: “One of our most popular and much-loved musicians, Emman Abatayo, related to me as to how they helped each other to sustain themselves, and their families, during the pandemic, and the closure of bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

“They formed a kind of a movement, with the help of their friends, to list all the musicians, in Iloilo, and then donated, rice, canned goods, breads, a kilo of chicken, kilo of pork, and cash, to those in need.

Emman, say Anton, then ventured out to make a partnership with SM City Iloilo, and their marketing department, to allow them to busk (a person who performs music, or other entertainment, in public places, for monetary donations) at SM City.

Emman led the charge, with the support of others, to make his plans a reality.

These musicians contacted the SM Malls, famous in the Philippines, and in many parts of the world, and requested these shopping malls to accommodate them, in these difficult times, and give them the opportunity to entertain shoppers, during business hours.

They were helped by the marketing team, at SM City, and, together, they worked out a plan to accommodate musicians in their malls.

Shoppers, in these huge malls, says Anton, could catch the buskers live, from 11 am to 7 pm, from Monday to Sunday.

“The malls provide the space, the electricity connections, and the stages, for these musicians to perform. People generously contribute to the tip boxes, or guitar cases open for such generosity, in the traditional form – placed strategically in front of the performer! On any given day, at any time, there are several musicians performing at various places in these malls,” added Anton.

Before long, many other malls, and restaurants, began to follow the trend and more and more musicians were employed, and now it’s the trend – buskers at shopping malls!

“I watched all this happen and thought to myself, leadership and cooperation is needed in time of hardship.

“I salute Emman for his vision, and love for his fellow musicians. What I am happy to report from here is the extreme care the Filipino people have for each other and they help to sustain each other in times like this.”