Cooky Chua and Bayang Barrios.
The Philippines may be one of the most hapless nations in the eyes of the world now, with the recent calamity that killed thousands and rendered thousands more homeless and dying, but the Filipino is a race that knows when to unite in times of crisis and be each other’s strength and inspiration.
This inimitable Filipino spirit of brotherhood was seen in the overwhelming show of love and compassion during TV5’s live airing of the “Tulong Kapatid, Sulong Kapatid” fundraising telethon for the victims of typhoon Yolanda last Sunday night. Aired as a special live edition of “The Mega and the Songwriter: Kanta at Biyaya”, the telethon raised a total of P30 Million throughout its initial five-hour run.
Hosted by Sharon Cuneta and Ogie Alcasid, the telethon proved to be an inspiring night of music and hope as it stayed true to its promise of “Kanta at Biyaya”, with over 60 TV5 stars, OPM artists and members of national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas helping to man the phone lines and accept pledges and donations from donors all around the world. (The telethon also aired live in all TV5 international channels.)
Jim Paredes.
The telethon became a gathering of some of the country’s distinguished OPM artists as they filled the night with inspiring music and, by way of their heart-moving songs, appealed to the generous hearts of Filipinos everywhere to help alleviate the devastation and suffering inflicted by typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.
By singing “With A Smile”, Sharon and Ogie expressed encouragement and hope for the typhoon victims, that they will soon find reason to smile because the Filipinos are “sending out their love and uniting to help them rise from this tragedy.”
Renowned alternative artists Cooky Chua and Bayang Barrios performed their duet of “Uunahin” and OPM icon Jim Paredes gave his moving rendition of “Panalangin”.
In between interviews with the TV5 stars who came and volunteered to take calls, the telethon proved to be an entertaining and inspiring five-hour show, with the touching performances of “Lift Up Your Hands” by Jeffrey Hidalgo, “Lead Me Lord” by RJ Dela Fuente, “Alinlangan” by Aia De Leon, “Man in the Mirror” by Luke Mijares, “Beautiful” by Abby Asistio, “Saludo” by Quest, “Hawak Kamay” by Claire Ruiz, “Bagyo, Bagyo” by Daryl Shy, and “Light a Million Mornings” by Lara Maigue.
Noel Cabangon, Isabelle De Leon, Noel Mendez, Chadleen, Gabe Piolo, Arthur Manuntag, 5 Az 1, and AKA Jam also gave soulful performances dedicated to Filipinos around the world. While the guests performed, some TV5 stars and the Gilas Pilipinas players tirelessly manned the phone lines to accept donation pledges and also to note down the appeal for help from callers who wanted to trace their missing relatives in the typhoon-stricken areas.
TV5 president and CEO Noel Lorenzana also took calls himself and was amazed by the outpouring of support from everyone who helped make the Tulong Kapatid telethon a success. “
I want to thank everyone who gave their time, especially to the MVP Group of Companies who fully supported this endeavor, the network’s talents and employees, and also those who have been calling to pledge their donations to help us raise funds for the typhoon victims,” Lorenzana said.
“The funds we raise here will go a long way in rehabilitating the affected areas in the Visayas. A huge part of it will go to the immediate relief of the victims, such as food, temporary shelter, and medicines. We also have long-term plans such as the rehabilitation of homes and also in helping put up a system to alert people in times of calamities. It’s an ongoing effort, so we really need all the help we can get,” he added.
Lara Maigue.
The executive director of Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc., Menchi Silvestre, was also overwhelmed to see so many celebrities who came on short notice and tirelessly answered phone calls throughout the telethon. Some of those who comprised the first few batches of celebrity volunteers were Cong. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Aga Muhlach, Alice Dixson, Gelli De Belen, Martin Escudero, Derek Ramsay, Ritz Azul, Eula Caballero, Empoy, Mr. Fu, Regine Angeles, Raymond Gutierrez, TV5’s Artista Academy finalists, the boys of Juan Direction, Lia Cruz, Shawn Yao, Manu Sandejas, Jason Webb, and Gilas Pilipinas players Chris Tiu, Kiefer Ravena, Larry Fonacier, Gary David, Jimmy Alapag, among others.
“It’s a tremendous blessing to see so many people pitching in, doing their share, and helping in their own way to express their love for our fellow Filipinos whose lives have been devastated by the typhoon. Just one hour into the telethon, we have already raised 21 million pesos and I’m very thankful for all the generosity we’re receiving. We’re not counting this by the million but by the love expressed by each and everyone who has been supporting this cause, and it is this love that we’re sending to our kapatids who were most affected by typhoon Yolanda,” Silvestre said.
5AZ1.
Ogie Alcasid described the spirit of brotherhood shown by his fellow artists and the basketball players who volunteered for the telethon as precious and priceless. “It’s all so incredible and we’re grateful to all those who came and helped. To be honest, Sharon and I prayed before we started. We just wanted to ask God to really help us because we can’t just do this on our own. I know this is God’s work and we’re very pleased that in just a short span we were able to raise a lot of funds for the victims of Yolanda,” Ogie shared.
The Alagang Kapatid Foundation continues to accept donations and financial assistance to address the needs of people who have been struck by the recent calamities that hit the country. Among the priority needs are rice, canned goods, bath and laundry soaps, sanitary napkins, clothes, blankets, sleeping mats and towels. Cash and check donations may be deposited to the following accounts:
Bank of the Philippine Islands – Ayala Avenue, SGV Branch Account Name: Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc.
Account Name: Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc.
Peso Account No: 1443-0533-32
Dollar Account No: 1444-0214-85
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
Banco De Oro – Makati Avenue, Ayala Branch
Account Name: Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc.
Peso Account No.: 00- 5310-41016-4
Dollar Account No.: 10-5310-46264-4
Swift Code: BNORPHMM
Citibank
Peso Account No: 0757138018
*USD (3rd CCY Remittance) Account No.: 0757138026
Metrobank – Fort Burgos Circle Branch
Account Name: Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc.
Peso Account No: 264-3-264821763
Cebuana Lhuiller Pawnshop
Partner’s Name: Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc.
Paypal
Username/beneficiary: alagangkapatid@news5.com.ph
Donations may also be sent through http://brickbybrick.pdrf.org. Smart and Sun subscribers who want to donate through text may send TULONGPHto 4483. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/AlagangKapatidFoundation.
TV5 telethon unites Filipinos on a night of music and hope
Source: InterAksyon.com (November 13, 2013 at 09:43AM)
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