Sometimes, the distance between a student and a college diploma is measured not in years or semesters, but in the price of a meal, a jeepney ride, or the few pesos needed to get through another school day.
For some students, the dream of graduating remains alive. What is uncertain is whether they can afford to keep chasing it.
This quiet but heartbreaking reality inspired Divina Grazia Charity Incorporated, a newly established nonprofit organization headed by President and Founder Haidee Tiotuico, to turn an evening of music and nostalgia into an opportunity to change young lives.
In partnership with the City College of Angeles (CCA), the organization is staging “SUMAYAW, SUMUNOD! THE BOYFRIENDS – LIVE IN ANGELES CITY,” a Concert for a Cause on December 19, 2026, at The Grand Palazzo Royale.
Featuring the beloved Filipino musical group The Boyfriends, the concert promises an evening of timeless hits, dancing, and cherished memories — all for a cause that goes beyond entertainment.
A Heart for Young Dreamers
During a press conference, Tiotuico, joined by Divina Grazia co-incorporator Patrick Santos and CCA representative Fatima Martija, shared the inspiration behind the organization’s first fundraising venture.
Established in 2026, Divina Grazia brings together compassionate individuals committed to easing the financial struggles of deserving students and helping them complete their education.
Tiotuico emphasized that while CCA provides access to public higher education, many students continue to struggle with everyday expenses.
“We all know that City College is a public college, but nevertheless, there are still challenges that students face in their everyday lives, like their food allowance, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses,” she explained.
For families already struggling to make ends meet, these seemingly small expenses can become overwhelming — sometimes threatening a student’s chance to finish college.
Turning Music Into Meaningful Help
The December 19 concert marks Divina Grazia’s first fundraising initiative, with all proceeds going to selected CCA student-beneficiaries.
The organization hopes to raise enough funds through ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations to provide ₱5,000 in monthly financial assistance per student, beginning in 2027.
An initial screening has already been conducted, with 18 students interviewed to assess their financial circumstances. Daily expenses emerged as a major concern.
Subject to available funds, the organization hopes to begin providing assistance by June 2027 and sustain the support until the beneficiaries graduate.
CCA, meanwhile, will monitor the students’ academic progress through regular consultations with its scholarship officer to ensure that the assistance supports their educational journey.
Martija expressed gratitude to Tiotuico and Divina Grazia for extending a helping hand to students whose financial difficulties could hinder their education.
For Tiotuico, however, the dream extends beyond the initial beneficiaries.
The ultimate goal is to help as many deserving students as possible, making this concert the beginning of a continuing mission rather than a one-time act of generosity.
Community support, she stressed, will be crucial in turning that aspiration into reality.
When Generations Come Together for a Cause
There is something particularly meaningful about bringing The Boyfriends to the stage for this advocacy.
Their timeless music has brought joy to generations, and on December 19, those familiar melodies will carry a deeper purpose.
One generation will celebrate the songs and memories of its youth, while helping another generation build the future it dreams of.
Every ticket purchased and every sponsorship extended will represent more than support for a concert. Each contribution will help a student afford another school day, overcome another obstacle, and move closer to graduation.
For Divina Grazia Charity Incorporated, this first undertaking is both a beginning and a promise — that young dreams matter, that financial hardship should not determine a student’s future, and that kindness can create opportunities where there once seemed to be none.
Because sometimes, changing a life begins with something as simple as making sure a student has enough money for lunch, a ride to school, and one more reason to keep going.
And when The Boyfriends take the stage at The Grand Palazzo Royale this December, the sweetest music may not come from the songs everyone knows by heart.
It may come years later, in the applause that greets a young graduate receiving a hard-earned diploma — knowing that somewhere along the way, an unforgettable evening of music helped make that moment possible.
On December 19, Angeles City will not simply dance to the music of The Boyfriends. It will dance to the rhythm of hope.
