LISTEN Campus Tour: Championing Mental Health with Music

The Listen Campus Tour in FEU Manila

Mental Health has been one topic everyone feels a little uneasy to talk about. That alone is a problem there because one of the reasons it flourish IS because of the fact that nobody is talking about it. You and I, a lot of people in general have some issues with it and have relatively one or more people we know who are suffering from it. Has anybody listened to you? Do you feel alone in the battle against it? Well, you shouldn’t - and I’m telling you one way to make it easy to deal with.

A few nights ago, I was invited to the Listen Campus Tour held in the Far Eastern University grounds in Manila. I am foreign to the place but felt right at home in the university belt because I have been going to nearby UE when I can for other matters. It was a concert, filled to a brim with students as it was an annual affair to welcome students in the Tamaraw’s Green and Gold camp (via Tatak Tamaraw Welcome Freshmen Fest which is a yearly event). LISTEN Campus Tour is one of a few activities that the organizers, partners Media.Xchange (a pr corp) and Sindikato Artist Management would want to do in order to address mental health.

Fern and Me

Artists who joined the cause

The Department of Health also had a representative to explain the mental health law

Our interview after their set

For those who don’t know, the youth ages 18-25 have had the highest incidence of mental health issues and much of this have gone unnoticed, untreated and with music, they aim to inspire people, set examples of themselves and perhaps change the minds of those who are suffering of it. The power of music is insurmountable, it sets the mood, it has the ability to encompass ages and make moments relatable. During the concert I saw students take a breather, sit, stand and talked to their classmates (which makes it healthy btw). On stage, the organizers sought help from the Department of Health, their institutional partner (together with private firm Philippine Mental Health Association) represented by Ms. Clarence J. Fernandez, a registered nurse who was tasked to talk about the newly passed Mental Health Law. I felt assured the information they were giving the audience was accurate and apt since the implementing institutions themselves were involved.


Sindikato was awesome enough to include some of their artists (who came in and helped as soon as they knew what the cause was about), which in general was greatly giving of their time and patience, to somehow get involved in efforts for awareness on mental health. The performances from Hulyo, Dionela, Arthur Nery, Syd Harta, Nathan & Mercury and Fern (of which I’m a fan btw) just took my breath away. Although it was raining in the venue, students braved it all and kept listening to them while artists share how they related to their songs, and hoped it could help one or more people in the audience seeing how even if some of them are suffering from it, they’re completely okay. Here’s our interview with them after their set:

Meanwhile, it was awesome to talk to Fern and Nathan and Mercury about their thoughts on the cause. I have high hopes after hearing them all so positive about this and think another tour in other campuses/schools would be so good. Fern made me realize how we all are, especially "artists like us" who are a little crazy after all and we in some ways suffer with mental health issues.





Kean Cipriano and the whole Callalily band on the other hand was amazing on stage. I expected no less than that because I’ve seen them live several times. They’re the type of superstars which the crowd knows all the songs, requests for it after a song and listens to it intently. I was surprised to see Kean and the band taking a few moments to ask the crowd to put down their phones so they could feel and be in the moment. Kean also mentioned how every time he performs, he wants to connect and see their crowd, look them in the eye and take them to church, to let them feel the exact emotions of the songs they’ve written. Some of the songs may have come from a dark place, of failed relationships, but it also has a message, to triumph over obstacles just like in real life. Check out our interview with them after the concert.

 



I would like to take this bit to thank the people behind Listen Campus Tour for having us cover the event. I believe they have several of these arranged in the next few weeks, I hope to see them in my own alma mater too. If you want to talk about their cause and see them in your part of the woods, you might as well contact them via Facebook.com/ListenCampus and @ListenCampusTour on other social channels. Get connected and help them achieve their goals, help a joe out who’s suffering from mental health as well.


It's a good cause.

5 Reasons Why You Should Start Your Martial Arts Training

I usually spend summer either just going out of town or reading books so I could prepare for what comes after. We spend a couple of months preparing that perfect summer physique but never really realize our goal because buffet restaurants abound and our will is weak - so we might as well enjoy the season and eat. Summer is just around the corner for some of us (in other parts of the world) and sometimes, you need that summer body fast. So you make a decision and tell yourself that you must lose X amount of pounds so you can fit into those favorite pair of jeans that's been sitting in your wardrobe for the past year. The thing is, you subconsciously hate the norm of the gym and running doesn't really get you excited either. Have you ever considered trying a form of martial arts? Perhaps you don't know much about it yet or never really been properly introduced to this niche of sport. I was able to actually practice elementary Wushu and it did wonders for me when I was a bit younger. Of course fitness plays a huge part in this training, but there are a lot more other benefits that can also improve your health and well-being. It’s incredibly easy to start and there are so many different arts to choose from, you’d be crazy not to at least try and see how it feels. You can see all the different fight styles at Martial Tribes but for now, let me explain 5 reasons why everyone should practice this particular sport.

Flexibility

I didn't have super powers and it took me quite a number of weeks to at least do a decent split of which I thought was nearly impossible when I started. After a few lessons you will start to feel more stretched and limber as martial arts will get you actively punching and kicking moving all limbs and muscles. Practicing martial arts will increase your flexibility and it will enhance your reach. Your kicks will become higher, your dodges more sharp which gives you overall advantage when you're fighting. The better your flexibility the better your posture will become resulting to less pains in the body as you age. Up until now, I could still do it with ease and never complained if back problems like those in my batch. It really has improved a lot and the stretching capability still impresses people my age. That's just one of the perks!

Coordination

I always have enormous amount of energy and was even dubbed as an energizer bunny by my professors because I didn't really stop moving around when I was a bit younger. This was a really great place to put it in and learn self defense. Learning to jab, punch and kick for multiple times and switching up the order will test your memory and coordination. This is also a great way exercise so you could improve your focus and balance which can then be carried over into other activities of life. The more you train, your coordination will also increase your alertness and speed. You'll easily win sparring matches and impress those who are not into it yet. You can start to inspire people!

Self Defense

I was bullied a lot when I was a kid and not many other sports can give you protection like martial arts. Knowing how to defend yourself and others around you will give you a sense of relief that if ever in a sticky scenario, you would know what to do. The ability to defend oneself greatly improves self-confidence and self esteem.

Wing Chun teaches you how to fight an opponent that is bigger and stronger than you, yet at the same time teaches you to be humble about your actions. It is practically self defense, so you can protect yourself and your loved ones if the need arises.


Stress Relief

If you're like me who's always stressed when at work, then this is definitely a good stress reliever. The practice of martial arts can lower your tension levels greatly. Martial arts has been known to have several stress reducing effects including released endorphins (hormones that make you happy!) to elevate mood and remove waste that clutter up your body and mind. When practicing martial arts, you generally develop greater focus and calmness of mind while training. The more you practice it, you'll develop positive attitude and better outlook on life.

Mental Focus

Martial arts can help with mental alertness and concentration. These of which can then be transferred to work and everyday living. You will experience greater energy levels and boost yourself so you would be able to “go that extra mile” when you need it.

You will find that with these 5 effects when practicing martial arts are only going to do you good. A fair warning would be that this will become addictive. The hardest part of your training is the beginning but after that, you will soon be craving it. While you may not notice it immediately, you will start feeling better, stronger and faster. Over time, you should begin feeling all of the above benefits and get that summer body in no time!

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