British Columbia Premier Clark backs 'Damayan' concert

British Columbia Premier Clark 
backs 'Damayan' concert 


By Alex P. Vidal


VANCOUVER, British Columbia – No less than B.C. Premier Christy Clark has heeded the call of leaders of the different Filipino-Canadian organizations here for everyone to come to the aid of victims of the recent deadly floods in the Philippines.
A special announcement will be made by representatives of Clark’s office at the Damayan concert to be held at the Broadway Church on Broadway Street in Vancouver on January 21. The concert will be preceded by a telethon event on January 20 at the Multicultural Helping House Society  (MHHS) office on Fraser Street.
A statement from Premier Clark is expected at the Damayan concert wherein she will be represented by B.C. Liberal Burnaby-Lougheed Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Harry Bloy, and Pamela Martin, former CTV anchor and now director of outreach at the Office of Premier. Leaders of the community continue to appeal for aid for the calamity victims in Mindanao.


EFFORT


The aid effort is being spearheaded by multimedia entrepreneur Rey Fortaleza, who also chairs the Filipino Canadian Cultural Heritage Society. 
"This will be a joint effort of the entire community and the Philippine Consulate General Office," said Philippine Consul General Jose Ampeso. "We will appeal to members of the community to open their hearts for the victims of calamity in the Philippines," MHHS president Tomas Avendano said.
Video news clips of typhoon "Sendong's" wrath will be shown immediately after the audio-visual introduction. This will be followed by welcome remarks from Avendano, Fortaleza, and Consul General Ampeso.


PLEDGES


Hosts Debbie Arkoncel and Joey Ruiz will announce the total amount/pledges gathered from telethon followed by description of each respective organization's participation to the fundraising project and how the cash and goods will be distributed to the flood victims in the Philippines.
Cash proceeds of the event will be sent to the Sagip Kapamilya of ABS-CBN in the Philippines through the Filipino Canadian Cultural Heritage Society. Donation in kind will be sent to LBC Foundation through its Vancouver office, those goods will be distributed to calamity victims. The concert will feature Joey Albert, Ray-An Fuentes, Luisa Marshall, Salve Dayao, Linda Magno, FYE Live Artists, and PNT Singing Idols.
Also presented by Reyfort Media Group, LBC Cargo, Metro Vancouver Philippine Arts and Culture Exposition Society (MVP-PACES), Palengkeng Pinoy Trade and Exchange Network (PP10), G-AIR Cargo, Royal Bank of Canada, Filipino Seniors Club of BC, Filipino Canadian Construction Society, and Can-Fil Golf Association, the concert is "Handog ng nagkakaisang lahi ng Filipino-Canadian sa Metro Vancouver para sa typhoon 'Sendong' victims ng Iligan-Cagayan De Oro."


'PASSING THE HAT'


Relleve said there will be a 10-minute break for "Passing The Hat" to be spearheaded by Avendano, Fortaleza and Ampeso.
FYE Live! managing director Socorro "Babes" Newland said another 15-minute break will follow after the "The Climb/ "We Are The World") song FYE Live! Artists Jerrica Santos, JJ Cepeda, Alyssa Gutierrez, Bella Acero, Martin Santos, Mia Santos, Jenessa Escabarte, JP Nilo, Nikki Pangilinan, Vernice Payasan, Russel Figueroa, and Genevieve Villabrosa.