A musical love letter to Filipino seafarers
Separated from their loved ones for six to nine months at a time, Filipino seafarers often endure long stretches of isolation and longing at sea. But amid steel walls, and the sway of still or raging waters, there’s one thing they can always rely on to help soothe the intermittent waves of loneliness—music.
And so, “Alon: Pag-ibig, Pangarap, Pag-Asa”—an upcoming fundraising concert dedicated to our seafarers and their families—aims “to harness the power of music” to celebrate and tell the stories of these unsung heroes.
“Ang musika ay isang lifeline para sa ating mga marino. It’s something that helps them connect with coworkers onboard, and even the people waiting for them back home,” concert director Gelo Ruiz, a seafarer’s son, told Lifestyle.
Making online video calls on ships is now possible, thanks to satellite-powered internet connection. Despite this, service is limited to modern ships and is often unreliable. Seafarers’ downtimes, therefore, are still mostly spent consuming offline media and participating in social activities.
Weekly song fests
Where there are Filipinos, there is singing. On many ships, weekly “Sabado nights” and karaoke nights have become a cherished tradition, offering homesick crew members an outlet for mental and emotional release. And in recent years, the folk-pop band Ben&Ben has emerged as a favorite, its songs echoing through ship halls and cabins.
“Ben&Ben actually topped a survey we conducted among seafarers. As many of us know, the band is known for its meaningful and inspirational music,” said Ruiz.
Former seafarer Marville Espago agreed. “I found myself listening to Ben&Ben while I was dealing with mental health struggles when I was onboard. The songs made you cry, offered relief, and helped you process your emotions,” related Espago, who now works as a manager for the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network, a nongovernmental organization that advocates for the well-being of seafarers.
“Alon’s” mission resonated with Ben&Ben so strongly that the band quickly hopped aboard to headline the show, which will be held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila on June 28—three days after the observance of the National Seafarers’ Day. (Visit ticket2me.net/ALONConcert)
Mounted by Orange Skies Production, the show’s proceeds will benefit the Gregorio Oca Leadership and Development Foundation, a maritime group that conducts programs in leadership development, welfare, and holistic family support for seafarers.
Advocacy
“This advocacy is important to us because we believe in music’s power to bring families closer, and to make the time spent apart feel shorter,” Ben&Ben vocalist Miguel Benjamin said.
Joining the band are “Tawag ng Tanghalan” season 3 finalist and seafarer’s son John Mark Saga, actor Kelvin Miranda, and P-pop girl group Calista. Children of seafarers will also take the stage and fete their parents with a special choir performance.
Statistics show that there are 1.89 million seafarers around the world, an estimated 25 percent of which are Filipinos, whose total remittances reached $5.69 billion from January to October 2024 alone, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
But despite their contributions that boost the local economy and keep the global supply chain afloat, many of their stories remain untold, lamented seafarer groups.
But through heartfelt musical performances, “Alon” will weave together powerful and inspiring narratives that “don’t often make it to the mainstream”—stories of our seafarers’ strength and resilience, and of their collective sacrifices and hardships.
More than entertainment, “Alon,” Ruiz said, is a movement—one that espouses “recognition, empowerment, and collective impact.” It’s a “love letter” to all those “who dedicate their lives at sea.”
“Growing up, I knew what it was like not having my father in my life’s important milestones. But I’m here right now, telling stories, because of him. This is my way of saying thank you to my father and all the seafarers who risk their lives at sea, so they can give their families back home a better life,” he said.
