After a super typhoon hit the Philippines in November 2013, Harding alumnus and native Filipino Carlos Frogoso knew he had to do something.
With the help of several friends and current Harding students, and through the M.A.R.C.H. for Christ organization, Frogoso organized Silence the Storm, a benefit concert that was held on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Zion Climbing Center.
“When I saw the news and heard stories from other Filipinos that they lost a lot – not just their homes, but also family – my heart sunk,” Frogoso said. “That pushed me to think about this benefit concert.”
The owner of Zion Rock Climbing Center, Sean Hudkins, said he was willing and excited to have the opportunity to hold the concert.
“Carlos Frogoso, who is a part of our team and is from the Philippines, is really the one that made this happen,” Hudkins said. “It coincides with our Christian mission and it’s a way we can help. We’re just utilizing what we’ve been given by God to help the people there because we’ve been blessed and we are happy to help them and share Christ with them.”
The concert featured Four West, Camp Hope and My Brother, My Friend, along with many other local bands.
Austin Nightengale was one of the many students who helped Frogoso spread the word about the concert. Nightengale said turnout for the event was great and the concert raised about $1,000.
“In the end, I believe everyone was blessed in some way,” Nightengale said. “The bands that played had a time to showcase their talent for a good cause, the people who came got to have a good time with friends, food and music, those involved in planning and volunteering got good, hands-on experience, and funds (and awareness) for the Philippines were raised.”
Nightengale said the items that were not sold at the silent auction are still up for sale. Additionally, several of the volunteers who were involved with Silence the Storm are planning to get directly involved in helping the Philippines by way of a summer internship with Shepherd’s Hill International.
