Concert for a cause to benefit CCA students
BENEFIT CONCERT. Haidee Tiotuico (center), president and founder of Divina Grazia Charity Association Inc. (DGCAI), joins Patrick John Santos and Fatima Jewel Martina, head of the City College of Angeles Alumni Affairs and Student Placement Office, in presenting the promotional poster for the fundraising concert featuring OPM hitmakers The Boyfriends on December 19, 2026, at the Grand Palazzo Royale in Angeles City.
By Joey Pavia
ANGELES CITY – A newly established charitable foundation is organizing a benefit concert featuring Original Pilipino Music (OPM) hitmakers The Boyfriends to help financially disadvantaged students of the City College of Angeles (CCA) pursue their education.
Haidee Tiotuico, president and founder of the Divina Grazia Charity Association Inc. (DGCAI), announced that the fundraising concert will be held on December 19, 2026, at the Grand Palazzo Royale here.
Although CCA offers free tuition, Tiotuico said many students continue to struggle with the cost of transportation, meals, school requirements and other daily expenses.
“Tuition is free at CCA, but some students have no money for daily meals, transportation and other expenses,” Tiotuico said during a press conference at John’s Kitchen here.
She said the foundation aims to provide deserving students with a monthly allowance of ₱5,000 to help ease their financial burdens and encourage them to complete their studies.
“Every ticket brings a student closer to graduation. We appeal for support for our benefit concert,” she said.
Established in 2026, DGCAI seeks to provide sustained and holistic assistance to underprivileged students, particularly those at risk of dropping out because of financial difficulties.
Tiotuico disclosed that the foundation interviewed its first batch of 18 student applicants on October 15, revealing the difficult circumstances faced by some students determined to finish their education.
Among them were working students employed on graveyard shifts at fast-food establishments and others who could not afford even the ₱120 required for their physical education swimming activities.
“These are the students we want to help,” Tiotuico said, emphasizing the importance of providing financial assistance that goes beyond tuition fees.
The foundation plans to begin distributing financial assistance in June 2027 and continue supporting qualified beneficiaries untilbgraduation, subject to the availability of funds.
Under the proposed arrangement, CCA will monitor the beneficiaries’ academic performance monthly, while DGCAI will conduct assessments to determine their financial needs.
Fatima Jewel Martina, head of CCA’s Alumni Affairs and Student Placement Office, expressed gratitude to Tiotuico and the foundation for their initiative to help students overcome financial challenges.
Martina described the project as a “noble initiative” that could make a meaningful difference in the lives of students striving to complete their college education.
Meanwhile, tickets for The Boyfriends benefit concert are priced at ₱1,999 for General Admission, ₱2,999 for Premium and ₱3,999 for VIP.
Tickets are available at John’s Kitchen in Nepo Quad; The Clouds Bar at the roof deck of One Euphoria Residences in Balibago; Ecozone Travel & Tours along MacArthur Highway; Gil’s Grill at the corner of J. Surla Street; The Clinic Avenue along Sta. Maria Avenue, corner MacArthur Highway, Balibago; and Glam Up Studio at 172 Arayat Boulevard, Pampang.
Through the concert, DGCAI hopes to rally the support of the local community, businesses and music enthusiasts in helping deserving students achieve their dreams of earning a college degree.
