Since its inception, it has been busy lobbying and advocating for its inclusion in several government mandated relief efforts as well as recognition of a robust and very active industry that contributes significantly to the overall economic GDP of the country.  

The pandemic brought many challenges to the live events industry. To show our support, we bathed in red the facade of all entertainment venues in Makati. By doing this, we hope to send the message that the live events industry matter. 

As we all know by now, the performing and concert arts scene was one of the first ones asked to close and will more than likely be one of the last ones called to open. The abrupt halt in all of the live events businesses was a wake-up to a lot of its practitioners. There was a significant plea to coordinate all efforts and work together to save the industry. And because the pandemic was happening worldwide, the need for collaborated efforts among the live and entertainment industry was echoed around the world.  In an act of solidarity, the live events industry came together for a worldwide awareness campaign called Global Red. This international initiative was held Tuesday, September 1^st.  in an effort to raise awareness about the plight of the Live Events industry that has been widely impacted by the CoVid-19 pandemic. The peaceful campaign in lighting arts and music venues in red started with Night of Light last June 22, 2020 in Germany. It quickly spread throughout the UK and Ireland through the campaigns called Light It Red and Red Alert with #WeMakeEvents. South Africa followed suit with #LightSARed. Last September 1, the North American leg commenced, headed by Live Events Coalition USA. 

Circuit Makati, Makati’s arts and entertainment district, participated in this show of solidarity. Led by Samsung Performing Arts Theater, all of the performing arts venues within the estate were bathed in red from 7:00pm to 8:00pm alongside our colleagues and venues around the Metro area and other parts of the country. Our blackbox venue PowerMac Center Spotlight, our open-air events grounds Globe Circuit Events Grounds as well as the activity center within Circuit Ayala Malls were all lighted in red in a chilling show of support and statement that live events do matter.  

Joining the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the PICC, Fort Santiago, PETA, Iloilo Convention Center, and many others, Samsung Performing Arts Theater joined the call of NLEC-PH in encouraging fellow technical providers and rental companies to shed light on the struggles of millions across the globe – our own peers in the industry, our fellow workers, our craft, our people, and our comrades.

Project Development Manager for Circuit Makati Misha Quimpo said, “when CPAT Director Christopher Mohnani approached us to see if we can participate, I immediately said yes. As the arts and entertainment capital of Makati, we stand with our peers and colleagues in the live events industry and believe that they matter, and we at Circuit Makati with all our amazing events venues led by Samsung Performing Arts Theater look forward to welcoming everybody back again where we can collectively celebrate and experience something extraordinary together.” 

While there have been some considerable movements in seeking support, thousands within the industry are still struggling and unemployed and mass gatherings are still prohibited. It was gratifying to see said venues all glowing in red showing unity amidst diversity. The Samsung Performing Arts Theater is proud to do our part in letting the country and the whole world know that live events matter, that we matter.