Diff Fam dance crew has proved that they are more than just TikTok famous as they embarked on the first of a series of community relief efforts distributing food packs and water to several areas in Cebu affected by typhoon Odette.
Despite picking up the pieces a month after typhoon Odette ravaged the country, residents of several areas in Cebu are still reeling from its aftermath. Yet the spirit of bayanihan can be strongly felt especially among the youth as many of them have banded together to help their community.
The Diff Fam dance crew from Cebu is the first dance crew to be verified on TikTok with 5.4 million followers. According to their founder and lead choreographer, John Byron Padilla, Diff Fam which is short for “Do it for fun family,” has more than a hundred members composed mainly of teenage youth from the Municipality of Balamban and other nearby areas in the third district of Cebu.
“Dancing develops discipline and focus among our members,” says Byron. He is proud to say that being part of Diff Fam keeps many youth away from vices and helps with their character formation.
Fresh from the success of their 10th year anniversary, The Rythmn, dance concert in early December, Diff Fam felt the need to do something different in light of the aftermath of typhoon Odette which severely affected their hometown of Balamban. Many houses were severely damaged and there is a general lack of food and water. “Gusto namin makatulong sa kapwa namin PIlipino, para makabangon ang mga kababayan natin mula sa bagyo,” said Diff Fam dancer, Clifford Pormento, who adds that many of their members wanted to do an outreach activity.
Last Jan. 15, 2021, Diff Fam joined AP Partylist in continuation of their Typhoon Odette Relief efforts in distributing loaves of bread, sacks of rice and bottled water to more than five hundred residents of Brgy. Baliwagan in Balamban Municipality where many of Diff Fam’s dance crew members also hail from.
“This would not have been possible without the help of AP Partylist. This is only the first of many outreach activities that we are going to do with them. We mobilized thirty of our Diff Fam members who did the actual distribution to our fellow residents,” said Byron who also added that their members felt happy and energized to be able to be of help to their community.
“Salamat kay Cong. Ronnie Ong ng AP Partylist at sa Diff Fam members for the support, ang sarap ng feeling na makatulong sa kapwa mo, sobrang nakaka inspire, this time hindi lang kami nakapagbigay ng entertainment as a dance crew, nakatulong kami sa mga kababayan namin,” said Diff Fam member, Clifford Pormento.