Bridging the Gap
aims to develop a classical music festival in Cebu City. These events
are part of a larger effort to bridge the gap between the local
government, local organizations, and between communities within Cebu
City, by engaging our audience in a collective environment of shared
aspirations. It is Omnilogy's hope that the Festival will garner
attention and sponsorship that will allow it to become a regular
cultural event with a widening circle of artistic contacts and youth
development for Cebu City. Omnilogy's mission is to increase patronage
of arts and culture in Cebu City. The primary aim of Omnilogy Inc. is to
provide empowerment opportunities for people living in poverty-stricken
communities primarily in Southeast Asia through arts, culture and
recreation as well as promote philanthropy and advocate friendship
across and between cultures in cooperation with local organizations. The
promotion of philanthropy and volunteerism in the community is an
essential part of the success of Omnilogy. Omnilogy aims to create at
least 1000 philanthropists in the Philippines by 2015. Bridging the Gap Series
was launched in December 2008 by Matan Porat's Classical Piano
Performance with vocals by Minstrels Rhythmn of Hope for Omnilogy's
Christmas Tribute Benefit Concert held at Marcelo Fernan Press Center in
Lahug, Cebu City. Omnilogy aim to launch the Music Festival by December
2010 by a team of talented and successful international young
musicians, trained in the US (i.e. Julliard, Mannes and Manhattan School
of Music) and were former residents of International House. These
performers are graduates and attendees of the best conservatories
throughout the US and Europe. As an overview of the music festival, we
are offering a 10-day teaching residency in Cebu. These musicians will
work with local music schools, foundations and non-profit organizations
in Cebu City. The primary beneficiaries will be audiences belonging in
poverty-stricken communities in Cebu City. The format of the residency
consists of master classes and presentations in at least three music
schools. Last April 6, 2009, Omnilogy hosted a fundraising
concert at Merkin Hall, New York to launch our One Humanity advocacy.
This August 3-7, 2009, Omnilogy Inc. in cooperation with YMCA, Rotary
Club of Talisay, Cebu Music Learning Center and Peace Philharmonic
Philippines, will host a week-long Piano Workshop at the (Batig) Peace
Philharmonic Philippines Music Institution. The workshop will culminate
on a One Humanity: Bridging the Gap Across Cultures and Between Cultures
Benefit Dinner Concert at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. Why classical music? Classical performance creates that collective space that promotes an environment of shared aspirations.
One of the languages used is music in order to communicate the need to
promote mutual and collective respect between societies. While a fair
number of social and cultural events and programs exist for those who
exist in the higher economic strata of the community, there is woefully
little for the underprivileged to do and even less to inspire them to
acquire skills or abilities to help them rise above the poverty level.
Without an outlet of cultural and social activities, the underprivileged
are left to feel that there are no opportunities and live with little
or nothing to aspire to. The direct result of this is a
self-perpetuating state of poverty. Bridging the Gap Series Program aims
to reverse this process. Through this program, we hope to encourage not
only the underprivileged to aspire to do great things and recognize
that there is life beyond poverty, but to engender a culture of
Philanthropy within Cebu by providing opportunities for the privileged
to donate and volunteer in philanthropic activities. Bridging the Gap
Series Program is Omnilogy's brainchild. People who are in poverty often
overlook the peace and serenity that one can get from music
appreciation. Classical music and modern dance performance are not
widely appreciated in poverty-stricken communities as their living
conditions are surrounded with havocs and stresses. Basically, their
primary agenda is to struggle and survive their daily lives.
Furthermore, access to this kind of music is considered a luxury for
many. There is a misconception that classical music can only be
appreciated by the elite. Advocating music appreciation and the
performing arts can be a powerful communication tool. It has the
potential to inspire and provide a calm and relaxing atmosphere amidst
the havoc of one's daily life. Learning and participating in classical
performances encourages discipline and patience. By working together,
we hope that we will eventually be able to provide opportunities for
these children and engage them in direct communication with music as a
universal language.
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