MTV EXIT Live in Manila Concert: End Exploitation and Trafficking

Posted by Lauren on May 19, 2009 in Events | 0 comments

The United Nations defines “human trafficking” as the “recruitment, transportation, and receipt of a person for sexual or economical exploitation by force, fraud, coercion, or deception” in order to make a profit. Human trafficking is the second largest illegal trade next to drugs, with criminal traffickers earning over US$10 billion every year. At any one time, there are around 2.5 human trafficking victims in the world, with most of them coming from the Pacific and Asia. Most of them are young men and women who only want to have a better life for themselves and their families.

As a response against human trafficking, MTV launched a movement called MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) in Europe in 2004 and expanded across Asia in 2007. MTV has established partnerships with over 100 non-government organizations, created 25 anti-trafficking brochures, and produced many documentaries and public service announcements on the reality of human trafficking, including Inhuman Traffic (presented by Angelina Jolie) and Traffic: An MTV EXIT Special (presented by Lucy Liu).

This month, a nationwide MTV EXIT Campaign will be kicking off with “MTV EXIT Live in Manila”, a free concert at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on May 22, 2009. MTV EXIT Live in Manila will feature performances from the Philippines’ best artists including Gary Valenciano, Christian Bautista, Sponge Cola, Bamboo, Kjwan, Callalily, Pupil, Kamikazee, Itchyworms, Rico Blanco, Kitchie Nadal, Duster, Moymoy Palaboy, and Parokya ni Edgar. The event will be hosted by actor Epi Quizon and MTV VJ Kat Alano.

Co-presenting the MTV EXIT concert is a group of anti-trafficking organizations headed by the Visayan Forum Foundation, a non-government organization that works for the protection and justice of domestic workers, and trafficked women and children. At 2 pm, the Visayan Forum Foundation will lead a 5,000-people march from Roxas Boulevard to the concert grounds. They will reach Mall of Asia shortly before the concert starts at 6 pm. The Visayan Forum Foundation and other non-government organizations will be disseminating important information on human trafficking and prevention to the concert goers.

For tickets to MTV EXIT Live in Manila, you can visit any of the following