Singing with a Purpose: Atty. Joey Lina’s Musical Passion is Changing the Lives of Filipino Mothers and Children

 

Atty. Joey Lina answers questions during the mediacon for Maluwalhating Pilipinas. With him below, from left: Egay Mariano, Bobby Alvarez, Rachelle Gerodias, and Joel Macanaya. 

Former public servant and visionary leader Joey Lina has long been known for his dedication to public service, governance, and social reform—most notably authoring the landmark socialized housing law during his term in the Senate. But beyond the halls of legislation, Lina harbors a deep, lifelong passion for singing. Today, that love for music has blossomed into a powerful instrument of advocacy, uniting friends from both the public and private sectors for a noble cause: uplifting Filipino women, mothers, and their children.

This harmonious blend of art and altruism takes center stage as Lina, alongside a formidable coalition of leaders, artists, and philanthropists, spearheads the upcoming “Maluwalhating Pilipinas” Christmas Benefit Dinner Concert. Set for November 14, 2026, at the historic Manila Hotel, the event is primarily dedicated to the welfare of mothers and children. It aims to raise crucial funds for the Children’s First 1000 Days of Life Program and socialized housing initiatives in Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa.

Along with Lina, the concert will feature Aliw Award-winning singer and theater actress Isay Alvarez; internationally acclaimed soprano and Aliw Awards Hall of Famer Rachelle Gerodias; classical crossover soprano and Asia’s Got Talent finalist Gerphil Flores; and Aliw Best Classical Performer and singer-songwriter Lara Maigue. They will be joined by Rotarians Raffy Garcia, Reggie Nolido, Ador Tolentino, Bobby Alvarez, and  Egay Rubiano, under the direction of Joel Macanaya.

The concert draws its very soul from Lina’s creative spirit; he penned the poem “Maluwalhating Pilipinas,” which his nephew subsequently set to music. The anthem celebrates a shared love of country and a collective aspiration for a more prosperous nation—a vision that Lina believes begins with maternal and child health. The project brings together esteemed figures, including former colleagues, Rotarians, and renowned performing artists who are mothers themselves, all harmonizing for a future where every child has a healthy start and every family has a place to call home. 

The benefit concert is a continuing project of the Children’s First 1000 Days Coalition (CFDC) and its partner organizations, in cooperation with The Manila Hotel. CFDC is composed of more than 200 civil society organizations working with government and the private sector, implements programs in line with Republic Act No. 11148, or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act. The law recognizes the first 1,000 days, from pregnancy until a child’s second birthday, as a critical window for a child’s growth and development. Malnutrition during this period can have lifelong consequences, including stunting, impaired cognitive development, greater vulnerability to illness, and reduced educational and economic

potential.

Lina and Gerodias belted out and impromptu number 

By channeling his love for singing into a nationwide movement against malnutrition and homelessness, Joey Lina proves that music can transcend entertainment to become a life-saving force. Through the “Maluwalhating Pilipinas” concert, this visionary advocate continues to champion the marginalized, reminding us that a truly prosperous Philippines starts with well-nourished mothers and the secure foundation of a family home.

Our group, Global Fusion Media, had a photo op with Atty. Lina