It is the season of giving.

With Gloc-9 and Greyhoundz both celebrating their 25th anniversary in the music industry, a charity event is a means of giving back to their respective fans and at the same time lending a helping hand to those in need.

“Rock for Charity” is a joint partnership with Numinous, Asintada, and the Philippine National Police to benefit the abandoned minors at Pasay Social Development Centers, senior citizens, Pasay City Youth Homes, and the poorest of the poor families within Pasay.

The concert will be held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Dec. 9. Gates will open at 5 pm and the concert will start at 7 pm.

Aside from Gloc-9 and Greyhoundz, other performers in the concert are Chocolate Factory, Mayonnaise and Lockdown Band.

Ticket prices at P350 (General Admission) and P1,000 (VIP). Valid ID and vaccination card is required for entry.

During a Zoom interview, Filipino rap singer Gloc-9 and Reg Rubio of Pinoy metal band Greyhoundz said they were both excited for their upcoming shows here and abroad.

"We were tapped to do the charity show. Sakto naman and we are celebrating our 25th year sa music industry," said Gloc-9.

On the target amount to be raised for charity, Gloc-9 said: “Malaki ang malilikom mas maganda dahil maraming beneficiaries ang show na ito. Ito ay para sa mga pamilya at poor residents ng Pasay City.”

(The bigger the amount of money that will be raised the better because this show has many beneficiaries. It is for the families and poor residents of Pasay City.)

Gloc-9 and Reg talked about the secret to longevity in the music industry.

“Ang secret ko is unconditional love and tolerance with my bandmates. Kailangan mong masakyan yung good times na kasama sila. Kung kaya mong sakyan ang good times mas kailangan mong sakyan ang bad times. Parang ganun," said Reg.

(My secret is unconditional love and tolerance with my bandmates. You have to ride the good times with them. If you can ride the good times, you have to ride the bad times. It’s like that.)

“Ganun din sa sinabi ni Reg. Siguro i-apply mo rin ang love and tolerance. Accept mo kung ano yung pangit at i-enjoy natin din natin yung maganda. I've always treated this dream of mine na parang tao talaga. Kinakausap ko yung mga pangarap ko. Dapat may relationship ka sa pangarap mo. Ganun din naman ang magma-manifest sa katagalan kapag ganun ang ginawa mo," said Gloc-9.

(That's what Reg said too. Maybe you also apply love and tolerance. Accept what's ugly and let's enjoy what's beautiful. I've always treated this dream of mine like a real person. I am talking about my dreams. You must have a relationship with your dream. That's how it will manifest in the long run when that's what you did.)

Aside from career longevity, the successful musicians also said they are thankful for other achievements.

“When I started the band, I was 20 or 21 years old. More than half of my life, I have been with bandmates. Basta nagpapasalamat ako sa camaraderie. Having good people around you who treat you as a family. One in a million na chance ito eh where I am. I grew up in Mindanao. I came, I saw, I conquered. Those are the few things I am thankful about,” said Reg. “Also there are artists who keep inspiring me like Aris and other artists.”

Gloc-9 replied: “Sobrang dami ang gusto kong ipagpasalamat. Yung nagawa namin itong show na ito after the pandemic I think overwhelming na yun. Huling bumalik and performing scene. So you can just imagine kung gaano mo dapat galingan. Iiisipin natin ano ang susunod natin na gagawin. Pero tayong mga Pilipino ang galing natin mag-adopt. Kahit na hindi maganda ang situation, kaya natin mag-adopt and we are built for that. Because of that maraming gumaling na Pilipino during the pandemic. I mean gumaling ka na may natutunan ka diskarte-wise. May natutunan ka na isang bagay na nakapagpatawid sa’yo. So yun lang. Being able to do it again after the pandemic is something to be thankful for.”

(There are so many things I want to thank. When we did this show after the pandemic, I think it was overwhelming. It was the last time I came back and performed the scene. So you can just imagine how much you must be doing. We will think about what we will do next. But we Filipinos are good at adopting. Even if the situation is not good, we can adopt and we are built for that. Because of that many Filipinos recovered during the pandemic. I mean you recovered because you learned a strategy. You learned something that got you through. So that’s it. Being able to do it again after the pandemic is something to be thankful for.)

They also shared their thoughts on social media.

“Sa akin ang social media nagiging masama lang kapag hinayaan mo siyang maging masama. Pag pinansin mo lahat ng masama sa social media maba-bad trip ka talaga. Ang trato ko sa social media, if I need to promote something, na may relasyon sa work ko, I do it. I don’t use social media to post something personal na related sa buhay ko. Nangungulit ako pero hindi para sumawsaw sa social media,” said Gloc-9.

(To me, social media only becomes bad when you let it become bad. If you will take seriously everything that’s bad on social media, you’re going to have a really bad day. My approach to social media, if I need to promote something, anything that is related with work, I do it. I don’t use social media to post something really personal. I complain but not to immerse myself in social media.)

Reg said: “Ako naman nagsawa na po. Tama si Aris (Aristotle Pollisco is the real name of Gloc-9), kung kailangan mag-promote nagpo-post ako. Minsan I post memes and jokes din naman.”

(Aris is right (Aristotle Pollisco is the real name of Gloc-9), if I need to promote my post. Sometimes I post memes and jokes too.)

Gloc-9 started touring abroad in 2018 and has successfully conquered the stages of various venues in the US, Canada, and Dubai, just to name a few. This year’s tour schedule is extra special as Gloc-9 wishes to celebrate and give back to his loyal fans of his 25-year career.

Following a successful show in Toronto last Nov. 18, Gloc-9 and Shanti Dope will perform in Winnipeg (Nov. 25), Edmonton (Nov. 26), and Calgary (Dec. 3).

The Greyhoundz will also perform in Canada soon, with the shows to be mounted by the same producers of Gloc-9 and Shanti Dope concerts. “August and September next year po naka-schedule kami sa Canada.” (August and September next year we are scheduled in Canada.)

“Excited kami magperform sa Canada at ma-meet at mga kababayan natin doon,” said Gloc-9. “Alam naman natin ang sakripisyo ng mga kababayan natin abroad na nakasalang sa snow. kaya yung konting saya na ibibigay namin para na rin kaming nakihati sa tagumpay nila.”

(We are excited to perform in Canada and meet our compatriots there. We know the sacrifice of our compatriots abroad who experience the snow. So the little joy we will give is like sharing in their success.)