For his first album, Kuya Daniel gets a platinum. For his second, he gets a gold…and makes history.

For the first time in Philippine music history, an album gets a gold record the same day it gets launched. Isang Araw Lang, the hit album named after the advocacy of the same acclaim was launched at the YCONCON: Isang Araw Lang concert event at the Araneta Coliseum on August 17, 2009.

Produced by Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (BMPI), Isang Araw Lang, the album has a total of ten tracks, including the carrier single of the same name. So Many Questions, Your Love, Habang May Buhay, With a Smile, Huwag Na Lang Kaya, I’ll Never Go, Forevermore, Tag-ulan, and Hold On compose the other fine OPMs (Original Pilipino Music) included in this historic album.

“Thanks to God and to all of you who came tonight,” says Mr. Public Service as he receives the proof of the album selling more than 12,500 copies. The plaque was handed by Mr. Bernie Refuerzo of Able Music Incorporated (AMI) before the huge crowds that swelled one of the biggest indoor facilities in the world.

The event, which started at about 7:30 p.m., is the sequel to the successful concert-for-a-cause held in 2007. Proceeds of the first YCONCON were for the benefit of drug addicted youths seeking rehabilitation. This time, the BREAD (Bible Readers) Society International—the event’s main organizer—decides to support Kuya Daniel’s Free College Education program.

The scholarship program will be offered to poor but deserving youth in two courses: Mass Communication (Broadcasting) and Nursing. Providing the applicants pass the entrance exam, they will be studying for free at the soon-to-be La Verdad Christian College in Manila—the one that supporters of Kuya Daniel’s album and the YCONCON concert event help make into a reality, not to mention the artists who have given one day in their busy schedules to support such a just cause.

First to perform were the energetic BMPI dancers, followed by singer/composer Krist Melecio with his medley of witty songs (BREAD Tambayan theme song, Kanta Natin, and Konek-Konek Tayo). Then, Play Band sings their inspirational single Oh Kabataan and Africa as a tribute to BREAD members in the continent. Next in line was the sweet and side-splitting choral rendition of T.L Ako Sa ‘yo by Crumbs. Joining them afterwards on stage was Francis “Kiko” Reyes, former member of The Dawn, who was still able to play some magic out of his acoustic guitar amidst technical difficulties as he strums Iisang Bangka while the Crumbs brings the song back to life with their heavenly harmony.

Shamrock then adds drama and passion to the atmosphere by singing familiar theme songs from local soaps like Alipin and Naaalala Ka. Milan, on the other hand, takes the crowd to Neverland with his line up of Michael Jackson faves like Black or White and I Just Can’t Stop Loving You with Ms. Connie Yanga. Wowing the crowd next was The Itchyworms who sang Penge Naman Ako Niyan and their rousing rendition of the Apo Hiking Society’s Awit ng Barkada.

The Soul Siren of the Philippines also graces the stage and soothes the crowd with Someday and Love Moves in Mysterious Ways. She then shows off her range as she belts Beyonce’s Irreplaceable and Aerosmith’s I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing. Next to her was Sugarfree, bringing the audience back to Philippine music goodies such as Hari ng Sablay and Makita Kang Muli. Pupil then makes an appearance and sings a roster of their songs Disconnection Notice, Isa lang Ang Ating Mundo, Nasaan Ka, and Alapaap, plus an old familiar crowd-favorite Magasin.

An overseas call then shatters the momentary silence. It was Bro. Eli Soriano of Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) on the other line, and the crowd was more ecstatic than ever. Being the primary supporter of Kuya Daniel in all his humanitarian endeavors, especially the free college scholarship program, Bro. Eli gives a short speech and also thanks the supporters of the event. “I believe that there are a lot of undeveloped talents in the Philippines,” he says, “but are just not given the opportunity to study in universities.” It is this reason, according to the international televangelist, that they have put up the La Verdad Christian College where a student can “Study now free, never mind anymore.”

Finally, Kuya Daniel appears with Sugarfree ingeniously introducing him with their song, Dear Kuya. Singing Tag-ulan by After Image with a guitar strapped around him, Kuya Daniel escalates the crowd’s emotions even more. He then sings two more cuts from his album, So Many Questions, as popularized by the band Side A, and With a Smile by the Eraserheads. And for his finale, Kuya Daniel sings the carrier single, Isang Araw Lang, and after a big, warm applause from the crowd, shouts “To God be the glory!” capping the night. (Published on August 19, 2009)

Written by Chris Anne Gonzales