In an video, KZ Tandingan shares the story behind this viral and touching moment.
Singer-songwriter KZ Tandingan recently went viral because of the “budots donation drive” in Auckland, and here’s the story about it.
During TJ Monterde’s Sarili Nating Mundo Auckland concert on October 11, 2025, at The Trusts Arena in New Zealand, his wife, singer-songwriter KZ Tandingan, was able to raise funds for the victims of strong earthquakes in the Philippines.
The following are the series of earthquakes that struck various parts of the Philippines:
- Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake in Cebu – The tremor that collapsed the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, Cebu, and other churches near the epicenter. More than a week after the deadly magnitude, another powerful 6.0 earthquake struck Cebu, Philippines, early Monday, at 1:06 AM.
- The Davao Oriental earthquake was called a “doublet earthquake,” as magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes struck the province. A lot of individuals were affected by these tremors, and thousands of houses were destroyed.
- The Surigao Del Sur earthquake recorded a 6.2-magnitude. The tectonic tremor was centered 22 kilometers northeast of Cagwait at a depth of 10 kilometers.
As of this writing, the aftershocks are still happening following the deadly quakes, and according to the authorities, this will continue for weeks or up to months. In the Auckland show of the “Sarili Nating Mundo” concert.
At the event, the crowd jokingly asked KZ to do the Budots dance. The singer agreed only if they would donate to the benefit of the victims of the Cebu and Davao earthquakes. Based on the photos circulating online, a QR code flashed on screen used by the crowd to give money, and there were also those handing cash directly.
In an interview, KZ talked about this, and it was accordingly one of the most memorable and inspiring things to happen in the entire tour. The prior shows, she had received and heard requests for her to dance budots, but the show at Auckland was one of the rare moments that made her give in.
“Pero sabi ko, ‘Sige gawin natin pero kapag naglabas ako ng QR (code) mag-donate kayo.’ Noong una, tawa lang kami ng tawa tapos sabi ko ‘Kasi kapag nagdonate kayo, ipapadala namin yan sa mga nasalanta ng lindol sa Visayas at Mindanao.’ Tapos, naglabas si Direk John (Prats) ng QR code sa LED tapos nakita ko sila nagsiangatan ng cellphone.”
She added that after the code was flashed, people started standing up to scan, and some were running to the stage to give cash. It started gradually until they were flooded with an amount big enough to help several people victimized by the strong tremors.
What started as a lighthearted moment turned into a touching act of generosity that brought the singer to tears.
“Pinagipunan na nga nila yung pera na pinambili ng tickets and when I asked if they wanted to donate, hindi sila nagdalawang isip na tumakbo sa harap para magabot ng pera,” she also shared.
@kztandingan Thank you so much mga kababayan sa New Zealand! Hinding hindi namin makakalimutan ang ginawa niyong ito para sa mga kababayan natin sa Pilipinas 🫶🏻😭
♬ original sound – KZ
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