Rapper Pio Balbuena, in support of Senator Bam Aquino’s education advocacy, recently donated 20 laptops to Marikina High School using the proceeds of his rare 1-of-1 Tambay cap.
In his latest vlog, Balbuena announced that he purchased the laptops from Easy PC after selling the cap to businessman Sam Illano for ₱155,000 through a bidding process.
According to Balbuena, his initiative was intended to support Sen. Bam’s push for quality education.
“Ngayon, natuwa ako sa advocacy niya (Sen. Bam) kaya ang ginawa ko na lang, pina-bid ko na lang ito at iyong pera, itutulong namin sa school,” Pio explained.
Inspired by Pio’s move, the Easy PC owner, who is also a supporter of Sen. Bam, added another ₱155,000 worth of laptops for Marikina High School students, bringing the total donation to 20 units amounting to around ₱363,000.
“Sen. Bam, shoutout sa iyo, idol na idol ka ng mga tagarito. Buti talaga sinama mo ako sa Senate,” said Pio, who was Sen. Bam’s guest during the opening of the 20th Congress.
Pio turned over the laptops to Marikina High School officials and students, saying they can be used by both faculty and learners. “Ito na ang ipamimigay mula sa Easy PC, sa Tambay at kay Senator Bam Aquino para sa advocacy natin. Sana magamit niyo ito sa faculty o sa ano pa man,” Pio said, adding the laptops are equipped with Windows that are ready for students’ use.
“Ito ay support ko rin kay Senator Bam kasi iyong talagang goal niya is iyong para sa mga estudyante, para sa pag-aaral, sa edukasyon, at siyempre kasama na rin doon ang mga teachers. Kaya masayang-masaya din ako na nakabalik sa Senado si Sen. Bam at iyon agad ang unang unang gusto niya na trabahuin, ang kapakanan ng mga guro, ng mga estudyante at ng edukasyon mismo, pangkalahatan,” he added.
During the senatorial campaign, Pio expressed full support for Sen. Bam on his social media accounts multiple times and even did a vlog with the lawmaker.
In a separate Facebook Reel, Pio highlighted the impact of the Free College Law on out-of-school youth by asking his “tambay” friend why he’s wearing a school uniform, to which the latter replied, “Hindi mo ba alam, may libreng kolehiyo na para sa mga tambay.”
Marikina City, under the leadership of Mayor Maan Teodoro, graciously hosted Pio and Easy PC during the turnover of laptops to the beneficiary school.
Pio is the owner of the internationally recognized “Tambay” caps. Through his company, Tambay Traders Inc., he also provides livelihood opportunities to the unemployed.
