Village Connect
On September 11, 2025, Hard Rock Cafe Manila at S Maison, Conrad Manila, will once again turn into more than just a stage for music. It will become a space of acceptance, empowerment, and celebration as Best Buddies Philippines Foundation Inc. (BBPFI) and The Bistro Group present the second edition of Sounds of Change.
The benefit concert is not just about performances; it is about voices long overlooked finally finding their spotlight. True to Hard Rock’s creed, “Love All – Serve All,” the evening will highlight the talents of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are stepping into the limelight not only as musicians, but also as advocates for inclusion.
Behind the show is a deeper journey. Before the music begins, Hard Rock Cafe’s frontline staff will undergo sensitivity training and conversations on disability awareness, breaking barriers in everyday communication. “The first Sounds of Change concert was a great success. We’re excited to help showcase the buddies again, this time with even more heart,” said The Bistro Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, Lisa Ronquillo-Along.
This year’s lineup is brimming with talent. Anouck Weber, Clarence Cruz, Ian Borleo, Kyle Ebora, Luis Gatchalian, Mark Daza, Sky Jacoba, Alex Soriano, and Nep Gonzales III—young adults who also serve as ambassadors for BBPFI—will take the stage. Each performance will be a testament to their creativity and resilience, shaped through collaborative work with mentors and students from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Music Production Program.
“Music is something that the buddies identify with. It brings people together and creates change in the community,” shared Michelle Aventajado, BBPFI’s Executive Director. “By putting the spotlight on them, even for one night, we amplify their abilities and their voices.”
For Professor Patrick Frias of Benilde, the initiative represents the best of what education and art can achieve: “It shows music as a universal language and a tool for inclusion, healing, and growth.”
Proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to BBPFI programs in friendship, leadership, employment, and family support—initiatives designed to create a world where people with IDD are embraced not just on stage, but in all areas of life.
Tickets are available via ticket2me.net/BestBuddiesManila.
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