“We are grateful to all of you. From the generals to the last soldier, we are grateful to you.”
Bro. Eli Soriano, the Overall Servant of the Members Church of God International (MCGI), addressed the wounded soldiers and police officers, as well as the family members of those slain in the Marawi siege, during the Songs for Heroes 3 benefit concert held on October 31 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
To aid them in earning a living, Bro. Eli said that with the help of God, he targets to give P50,000 to each of the families of the 165 soldiers and police who died in the line of duty in Marawi. Having lost the main providers in their households, Bro. Eli enlisted this donation as MCGI’s next project after Songs for Heroes 3.
“I know it’s just a small amount. But when you combine it, it will be a big one. I will launch a project where each family can receive benefits. It’s just a small act of telling the soldiers we need you and we are grateful to everyone of you,” said Bro.Eli.
This is apart from the P8 million-cash assistance already granted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the event.
“We are very thankful and we really appreciate. No matter how small the help is, it’s very important for people who are grieving,” shared Ani Sandoval, an army captain’s widow.
‘Songs for Heroes’
The benefit concert is the brainchild of Bro. Soriano, who in 2015, called for such an event after hearing about the 44 fallen heroes in the Mamasapano clash.
After just a month of his call to action through his Twitter account, the first Songs for Heroes was staged on March 19, 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Six million pesos was raised and was handed to the families of the so-called SAF 44.
This was followed by Songs for Heroes 2: “Ang Mamatay Nang Dahil Sa Iyo,” held on June 30. Meanwhile, this charity event accumulated P8 million which was then donated to slain and wounded soldiers and cops of the AFP and the PNP.
Written by Elizabeth Borromeo
