After completing the first stage of Diageo Philippines’ Plan W Philippines training program, 34 choral and conducting scholars under Sing Philippines recently held their first concert at the Philippine International Convention Center. Plan W is Diageo’s global community investment strategy, which aims to build thriving communities by empowering women and giving them opportunities to learn and develop skills to be able to influence society and uplift the economy.
Being a musically inclined country, the Plan W program is focused on empowering Filipino women through music by honing them as choir conductors and vocal ensemble teachers. “Last month, we launched Plan W Philippines because we want women choir conductors and music teachers to have the skills and resources to build a better future for themselves and for their respective communities,” says Jon Good, general manager of Diageo Philippines. “I am happy to say that the program has empowered the 34 scholars by not only nurturing their soul and boosting their confidence, but also by giving them the economic opportunities that are only available when one has a formal music education.”
The first 34 scholars of Plan W Philippines performed at the Philippine International Convention Center last October and shared their learnings from Plan W’s trainings through their gift of music. Most of the scholars who took part in the program had limited resources and were struggling to hone their skills. The country is filled with emerging talents and skills waiting to be sharpened, and with Sing Philippines’ help, the program provided female choir conductors and music teachers the proper training in organizing and nurturing choirs.
The scholars underwent both immersion-type and experience-based training, supported with practice through coaching, clinics, and demonstration. The 34 women under Plan W (aged 18 to 60 from 12 regions in the country) were already leading their own choirs but didn’t have enough funding to get the right training. These women were selected based on their leadership and musical potential. On October 24, the first stage of the training began and the scholars attended a seven-day, experience-based immersion program that covered essential skills. The first stage covered musicality and musicianship, choral conducting, teaching techniques, people skills, and organizational management skills. The said topics covered the five core skills needed for the trainees to learn how to organize, lead, and develop vocal ensembles in their community and schools. Sing Philippines artistic director Mark Carpio, UP College of Music keyboard professor Ena Marie Aldecoa, and theater actress and former Miss Saigon cast member Isay Alvarez facilitated the program.
“This has a multiplier effect – from a few conductors, to many singers,” said Carpio. “The scholars will become the educators that will spark the love for singing to both the young and the old. Exposing singers to a choral experience develops in them a life-long passion for it. These passionately-engaged singers will, in turn, become future conductors and music teachers – sustaining the culture of singing that is at the heart of the country.”
The one-night concert at PICC is the culmination part of the first stage of the program. The second stage of Plan W’s program will start by sending the scholars back to their communities to share what they have learned from the training to their own singing groups. To provide guidance as the women work with their choirs in their respective localities, the program will be sending delegates to oversee the development of their scholars. The second stage will culminate in a local concert to showcase the outcome of the program to their community.
“We at Diageo know that when women have access to learning and have an opportunity to pursue their passion, it creates a powerful ripple effect that positively impacts the society around them, builds thriving communities and progresses society,” said Georgie Passalaris, Diageo’s skills and empowerment manager for Sustainable Development.
To date, Plan W has empowered more than 115,000 women across 16 countries, impacting more than 575,000 people. Diageo brands include Johnnie Walker, Singleton, VAT69, J&B, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, Gilbey’s and Guinness. The company has been granted the distinction of being the first beverage alcohol company to sign the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles globally.
For more information about Diageo, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.