California – A pair of promising young singers will showcase their talents and charm amid the festive atmosphere of a high-level basketball game between NBA G-League (formerly D-League) rivals, along with a meaningful celebration of Filipino heritage and the contributions of military personnel.
This Sunday (March 2, Pacific Standard Time), US-based singers Shiloh Baylon and Ardy Ducusin are set to perform at the Filipino Heritage Military Day at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, a cozy coastal city in San Diego County.
They will perform before a special gathering of the Filipino-American community, honoring both the customs and traditions that make them distinctly Filipino and the military heroes from San Diego, home to many of them.
The 7,500-capacity arena, which opened last September, will host an exciting sports fest and fun-filled activities in the afternoon, leading up to the anticipated matchup between longtime rivals—the hometown San Diego Clippers and the visiting South Bay Lakers. Their NBA affiliates must be thrilled that the “Battle of L.A.” has been set up further south in California this weekend.
“I am very excited to be performing at this event. It will be a unique experience for me,” said Ardy, who has previously performed at Crypto.com Arena and Intuit Dome and whose track record makes you wonder how she has accomplished so much at such a young age.
Ardy, as revealed, will sing Could Have Been Me (by Halsey from the movie Sing 2), which she noted she had chosen because—being a youth mental health advocate—it “delivers a powerful message of living your dream and being the person that you want to be.”
She expounded, “I want to spread the message of embracing life’s experiences and seizing opportunities, especially to my fellow youth.”
Rewind to July 2022, Ardy amassed several trophies at the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Anaheim, California. Months prior, she bagged the Star Mini Vocal Solo Title award for her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream in San Diego.
For 13-year-old Shiloh, who released an EP called 13 Candles late last year, performing at this kind of event is an honor she is grateful for.
Her EP opened with a song titled Little Girl’s Dream, showcasing her voice’s ability to connect effortlessly. Small wonder she has excelled in musical theater, playing Flounder (The Little Mermaid), Tessie (Annie), and the lead Oompa Loompa (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Outside of singing, she has done modeling and appeared in short films.
“I am writing songs, serving on the worship team at church, YouTube vlogging, and recording more songs,” she said—a routine only a gifted teen would take on.
It’s certainly a big plus that she trained at the Westminster Arts Academy, a highly regarded music school in Orange County.
“My goal is to be able to share my story through my music,” expressed Shiloh, who loves hanging out at the beach.
The Filipino-centric event is made possible by the multi-awarded 3GS Care Foundation and its partners. 3GS is actively involved in hosting charity events and after-school sports programs, primarily basketball clinics. It has also hosted the Filipino Heritage Night during an NBA game between the Clippers and the Lakers.
Its CEO, Gene Quiocho, is a key figure in the Fil-Am community. When he speaks, he sounds remarkably humble, considering his extensive accomplishments.
Last year, the foundation was recognized by Chien Wang, president of the Asian Business Association in the Inland Empire, for its support of after-school sports and entertainment, benefiting children in both the U.S. and the Philippines. It also participated in a charity event organized by UNICEF to help earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. On that note, it’s clear the foundation is also doing its part to aid those affected by the California wildfires.
Last November, Coach Geno, himself a basketball tactician and trainer who helped hone talents before their PBA careers, received the Olympia Arts Award for his “exceptional contributions, unwavering commitment, and outstanding achievement in sports business.”
For him and the two young talents he is supporting, what they do is more than just business—it’s a passion for their gifts and pride in their roots.