A dozen of Sydney’s up and coming recording artists in the Filipino community who performed in benefit concert to help typhoon victims in the Philippines raising some $18,000 in 2012 together with established singers in Sydney have joined together once more in another benefit concert. This time it is to help victims of the recent super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in Central Visayas , the Philippines.
They performed for charity in 2012 to help victims of Typhoon Washi (Sendong) in Mindanao, Philppines.
The singers variously, regular performers in Sydney’s club circuit, winners in community singing contests, fresh graduates in vocal music schools and plainly gifted performers joined together in a benefit concert called “United” reflecting the united response of the Philippine community and its friends to make a difference and help victims of super typhoon Haiyan.
The singers who all donated their services included Genelle Cross, Cleo Diana, Criz Guce, Mary May Hapin, Maria Lado, Ana Mateo, Hannah Natoli, Grace Pasco, Marlisa Punzalan, Marcus Rivera ,Brian Lorenz and Rie Manaloto.
The event was held Sunday 12 January at the Burwood RSL Club in Burwood,NSW a suburb of Sydney with proponents of the benefit concert led by community radio broadcasters Bless Salonga, Charles Chan and Violi Calvert, in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Hills-Kellyville, also in Sydney.
Together with program emcee Khris Albano, Salonga and Calvert presided over an auction of miscellaneous items as revenue raiser during the concert.
There were overwhelming support from the Sydney’s Philippine community and friends, who chipped in purchasing admission ticket, and joining a raffle and participating in auction of miscellaneous items.
Musical direction by Bless Salonga and Marc Anastacio. Sound engineer Oliver Gadista and some of the singers will soon release in Sydney a recording of respective singer’s performances called “One on One”.
It is believed that major sponsors including venue management and media donated free services making the concert a showcase of a community ‘bayanihan’ spirit. Photos by Jade Cadelina.