A night filled with songs of hope and stories of survival was shared by Filipinos all over the world in ABS-CBN’s “Tulong Tulong sa Pag-Ahon: Andito Tayo Para Sa Bawat Pamilya” benefit concert last December 23 for victims of super typhoon Odette.
As Kapamilya stars dedicated uplifting performances to typhoon survivors in the show, which went live on the ABS-CBN Entertainment and ABS-CBN News YouTube and Facebook accounts, iWantTFC, cable TV channel TeleRadyo, and TFC IPTV, donations from kindhearted people also came pouring in in the form of cash donations, Facebook stars, and YouTube Super Sticker and Super Chat.
Proving again that Filipinos will not leave anyone behind as they help each other rise from tragedy, the benefit concert jumpstarted the “Tulong-Tulong sa Pag-Ahon” online fund drive of ABS-CBN Foundation for its on-going relief efforts and subsequent initiatives to help the families from heavily-hit areas start anew.
Among those who offered their talents last night were Robi Domingo, Bianca Gonzalez, and Bernadette Sembrano, who served as hosts, and singers Jona, Jed Madela, Nyoy Volante, Angeline Quinto, Jeremy Glinoga, Sheena Belarmino, Kyle Echarri, Angela Ken, Gigi de Lana and GG Vibes, and Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano, who closed the more than three-hour event.
“PBB Kumunity Season 10” celebrity housemates Alexa Ilacad, Alyssa Valdez, Anji Salvacion, Brenda Mage, KD Estrada, Madam Inutz, and Samantha Bernardo also performed their original compositions, with Brenda, Sam, Anji offering encouraging words to their kababayans who were among those affected by the super typhoon as well.
Other ABS-CBN stars, meanwhile, explained to viewers the different ways they can help, whether through cash donations sent via bank transfer or payment merchants, or through in-kind donations of items like canned goods, rice, water, hygiene kits, and blankets. They include Coco Martin, Gerald Anderson, Belle Mariano, Alvin Elchico, Doris Bigornia, Seth Fedelin, Andrea Brillantes, Julia Montes, and Piolo Pascual.
“Ang apat na daang piso ay makapagbibigay ng pagkain sa isang pamilya na sapat sa tatlong araw. Ang malaking halaga naman po ay makakatulong po sa ibang aspeto ng pagbabangon mula ngayon hanggang sa susunod na taon. Sana po ay tumulong tayo mga kapamilya,” said Coco.
(A donation of P400 can provide meals for a family for three days. A big amount can help in other aspects as they start over and rise again from today until next year. I hope that we extend our help kapamilya.)
Netizens, meanwhile, commended the effort of ABS-CBN and stars in using their resources and talents for a good cause and in mounting the event in no time amid the Christmas rush.
ABS-CBN Foundation is still accepting donations through their BDO (0039302-14711), BPI (4221-0000-27), PNB (1263-7000-4128), GCash, PayMaya, and PayPal accounts. International donations may be coursed through abscbnfoundation.org. More details are available on ABS-CBN Foundation’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. Donors can also download social media badges that they can use as their profile photos, twibbons, Facebook frames, Instagram filters, or to express their love and support for the families affected by the typhoon.