Vocal Point films with news anchors on the GMA morning show Unang Hirit.
On Monday, May 8, Vocal Point woke up at 4:30 a.m. to participate in the morning news show Unang Hirit at GMA television network’s recording studio. The group then traveled to the city of Valenzuela, where they joined forces with community members to paint fences for a new Habitat for Humanity housing project. Reflecting on the experience, baritone Seth Garff says, “One of the aims of BYU is lifelong learning and service. I think it’s really applicable, because we’re learning about people, how they live, and their conditions. I don’t think we get to see as much of this in the United States. We’re also learning how to work hard and serve others. Some people may think, ‘How does this tie in to a Vocal Point performance tour?’ This is actually the most important part outside of singing and dancing, because it’s important to be there for others and make sure people know they are cared for and loved. We want to emulate what the Savior did, and this is a great opportunity to do so.”
The following day the group departed for their second destination of the tour, Baguio. While there, they had the opportunity to visit and sing to vice mayor Faustino Olowan and the city staff before ending the day with a devotional for youth and young adults.
Vocal Point spent Wednesday morning touring the city before setting up for their largest concert venue of the tour at the Baguio Convention Center. People lined up for two blocks to get into the concert. With 1,750 attendees, the concert was full of energy—so full, in fact, that security people stood across the front of the stage to prevent attendees from rushing it. After the concert, audience members swarmed group members in the lobby, especially crowd favorite David Gaag, whom attendees said looks like a model. After their performance, Vocal Point had a special VIP reception and dinner with opinion leaders and influencers.
The next day the group traveled to Tarlac City for a service project with Rise and Rebuild, where Vocal Point members served plates of food to the one hundred attending children. The group also performed a few songs for the children, and Alex Brown quickly became the crowd favorite with his beatboxing. Following the project, Vocal Point spent the rest of the afternoon traveling to Cebu.
Friday’s activities included a matinee, a meet and greet, a reception at Café Laguna, and a final evening show. On Saturday the group woke up at 5:00 a.m. to shoot a video of them performing “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus.” They wrapped up filming after three and a half hours and attended a lunch hosted by the Arts Council of Cebu. By the time the weekend rolled around, Vocal Point was looking forward to a relaxing evening.
On Sunday, Vocal Point attended church at the Lahug chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and then participated in a service project with Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, where the group tested candidates to see if they qualified to receive frames and lenses. That evening Vocal Point joined over 500 members of the Church at a young adult devotional.
