Filipino rapper belts out song to fight drug abuse

Juan Carlos Salcedo (right photo) represents the Philippines at the World Revolution Festival 2011, an annual music festival to fight drug abuse. DFA Photo

MANILA, Philippines—He is a singing chef and this time he didn’t simply belt out a tune.

Hong Kong-based Filipino rapper Juan Carlos Salcedo sang to a roused audience at Sintra Square in Macau on September 17, during the World Revolution Music Festival or “Revfest.”

The annual music festival aims to fight drug abuse and promote awareness of the dangers of drug use, the Philippine Consulate General in Macau said.

Salcedo, 23, displayed his own brand of entertainment as he delivered Christian songs in rap, a wide departure from the conventional gospel music genre, the consulate said in a report.

Salcedo represented the Philippines for this year’s festival, which was joined also by singers from Brazil, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Macau.

Hong Kong pop star Jill Vidal, who is of Filipino and Chinese-Korean descent, performed with bands from Hong Kong comprised of different nationalities.

Aside from fostering awareness on the dangers of drug use, the concert aims to promote faith in God as a means to find happiness and meaning in life.

Hong Kong and Macau authorities have expressed concern over increasing incidents of drug use especially among the youth.

There are also increasing cases of drug trafficking into the territories with the involvement of some Filipinos, the latest being in Hong Kong with a Filipino caught with 26 kilograms of heroin.

Currently, there are 17 Filipinos serving prison sentences in Macau for drug-related offenses, including attempts to spirit banned substances into the territory.