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By Jennie L. Ilustre
“La Bamba” star Lou Diamond Phillips emceed the 80-minute show. Broadway’s “Miss Saigon” Lea Salonga sang three popular tunes. The Black Eyed Peas’ apl.d.ap rapped.
Fox-TV “Glee” and Billboard sensation Darren Criss sang and played the piano. Grammy-nominated tenor Rodell Rosel performed an aria. Joffrey Ballet’s Christine Rocas worked magic onstage. “Poet of the violin” Joshua Bell, who has performed for presidents and prime ministers, opened the show. And yes, Oprah Winfrey favorite Charice did a number, too.
These Filipino American celebrities and other artists entertained some 2,300 people at a benefit concert, held at the Kennedy Center on June 1.
The artists waived their professional fees. The mixed crowds, some of them from New York and nearby cities, paid from $50 to $500 for the tickets. “It’s all for a good cause,” performers and audience agreed.
On November 8 last year, typhoon Hayan, international name Yolanda, slammed into the Philippines. The strongest cyclone ever recorded, it killed over 6,000 and displaced 4.1 million people. Rebuilding infrastructure and restoring livelihood resources will cost $15 billion.
The Philippine embassy, led by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., conceived the project. The US-Philippines Society presented the show, with the support of the Philippine Humanitarian Coalition. Initially, the Society had already raised over $1.8 million for the relief and rebuilding efforts. The coalition is composed of 33 community organizations, whose leaders answered Cuisia’s call to help in the post-typhoon rebuilding efforts.
Hope
Hope was the theme of the “After the Storm” evening concert. As for the message, “La Bamba” star Phillips said it best. “We’re all in this thing together,” he declared. He added that the show had “only one message” for the Filipino families devastated by the typhoon: “You are not alone.”
During a 3 p.m. press conference, musical director and conductor Luke Frazier said every number would convey hope that “things are going to get better.” He explained that the closing song, “Climb Every Mountain” by Lea Salonga, would denote the eventual triumph over adversity.
“I wanted to emphasize that it happened there, yes. But tomorrow, it could happen somewhere else,” he stressed. “And we as Americans are committed to this cause and we are all together on this situation.”
Lea, who followed her opening number, “On My Own” from “Les Miserables” with a duet with Darren Criss of “A Whole New World” from Disney Film’s “Aladdin,” was easily the audience favorite.
Lea noted the seriousness of the post-typhoon situation. But she was spot on when she added, “But let’s just have a great time tonight!” That’s what the crowds, many of them star-struck, wanted and got it. Not allowed to take photos of the performance, most of them took selfies and instantly posted them on Facebook. Host “La Bamba” provided comic relief, too. He mimicked a ballet dancer during Lea and Darren’s duet and rocked onstage.
Rapper Apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda Lindo) of the Black Eyed Peas also brought the house down with his high-octane performance of “Education” and his group’s signature piece, “Where is the Love.” The young members of the audience rapped along and clapped in rhythm with the artist.
Tenor Rosel also wowed the audience with his rendition of “Nessun dorma,” (“None shall sleep”), an aria from Puccini’s opera Turandot. He explained at the press conference that people will not sleep until the typhoon survivors have successfully rebuilt their lives.
Fans of Charice Pempengco said they were a bit disappointed with her performance, partly because she sang a jarring number and used minus-one accompaniment that was in poor quality. Fans like Ledy Largado and friends were expecting her to sing “I Will Always Love You,” the song that made her a star. “She lost me on this one, and it’s a pity because she’s truly talented,” said Dr. Rene Alvir of the nearby state of Virginia.
Other performers were Melissa Mino, Philippe Quint, Amy Frost Baumgarten, Lisa Emenheiser, NAAP’s Broadway Community Chorus, National Broadway Chorus, and Fairfax Symphony Orchestra.
At a separate, pre-show press conference, Ambassador Cuisia said the total amount raised from the concert was not yet available “because there are donation pledges.” He added proceeds would be distributed to organizations that are already helping with the rebuilding efforts. An informal source, however, said in an interview the concert would probably raise “half a million dollars.”
Ambassador Cuisia thanked the sponsors and donors from the US and the Philippines, the performers, the embassy staff and others who helped with the show. He stressed he was “indebted” to executive producer Robert Pullen and Event Coordinator Carmen Lagdameo Stull “for their tremendous efforts in ensuring a successful event,” as well as the Kennedy Center as partner in the concert. Baayork Lee, of Chinese and Indian descent, was the show’s director. Her directing credits include “Carmen Jones” at the Kennedy Center and “The King and I.”
Messages
A short program preceded the show. Vice President Joe Biden’s message set the tone of the concert. His son Hunter Biden and his wife Kathleen Biden represented him at the event. Kathleen read his message. Praising the “strength and resilience” of the Filipinos, Vice President Biden said they will “emerge from typhoon Yolanda stronger than before.”He ended his message with the promise, “Our commitment to the Philippines will never waiver.”
Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III, in a video message, thanked all who have been helping the families affected by the typhoon. Other video messages came from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, Gloria Estefan, James Caan, and financial wizard Suzie Orzman, who said, “Never forget –We’re all in it together.”
US-Philippines Society Founding Co-Chair John Negroponte underscored “a welcome message of hope.” The Society’s mission is to raise the profile of the Philippines in the US.
The show was preceded by a buffet reception celebrating the 116th anniversary of Philippine independence. Held at the Rooftop Terrace, the program featured a speech by State Department Secretary John Kerry read by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Scot Marciel.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, through a video message, and Filipino American Congressman Bobby Cortez Scott spoke about passing the Philippine Charity Act which encouraged American donations, as well as working to get a Temporary Protected Status TPS) approved for Filipino nationals.
The TPS, if approved by the US, would allow Filipino nationals to visit their families without affecting their visa status. It would also allow them to work here to enable them to earn income to send to their families. This status was granted to Haitians in the US after the earthquake in Haiti.
“Bayanihan” is a Pilipino word for community spirit. The root word is bayan, or town. But post-typhoon Yolanda, the Bayanihan spirit has gone global. Governments, led by the U.S., a close Philippine ally, promptly sent aid. Civic and church organizations, as well as individuals all over the world sent money and in-kind donations. All sectors and individuals continue to do so. Ambassador Cuisia expressed “profound gratitude” for the continued outpouring of help from the U.S. and all over the world.
