Lea Salonga, apl.de.ap to topbill ‘Yolanda’ benefit concert in US

Lea Salonga. PHOTO BY IVAN ROQUE

MANILA, Philippines – Award-winning Broadway singer Lea Salonga and Black Eyed Peas member apl.de.ap or Allan Pineda are set to participate in a benefit concert for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) in the United States (US) on June 15, 2014.

“This benefit concert intends to bring attention to the invaluable and necessary efforts of recovery for the people of the Philippines who were affected by Haiyan,” Philippines Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia, Jr. said in a statement.

Participating in the concert to be held in Washington, D.C. along with Salonga and Pineda are actor Lou Diamond Phillips, tenor Rodell Rosel, ballet dancer Christine Rocas, and other celebrities.

The Philippine Embassy said the concert, dubbed “After the Storm,” will be staged at the Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, 15 June 2014.

The concert will be held in cooperation with the US-Philippines Society and the Philippine Humanitarian Coalition and will be directed by Emmy-nominated producer, Robert Pullen.

Ambassador John Maisto, President of the US-Philippines Society, said in the statement that even after six months since Yolanda devastated provinces in the Central Visayas region, there are still many things that need to be done to rehabilitate the areas.

“As the world’s attention is gradually drawn away from the devastation in the central Philippines, we are reminded that formidable challenges remain for millions of families displaced by the most powerful tropical storm ever to make landfall,” Maisto said.

“The Kennedy Center benefit evening will help those people reconstruct homes and schools, restart businesses, restore livelihoods, and regain access to health facilities,” he said.

APL.DE.AP. PHOTO BY RUBEN NEPALES

The benefit concert will include celebrity appearances and performances and feature a symphony orchestra and a 40-person choir. A series of video messages of hope from celebrities and other personalities from around the world will also be shown during the event.

Tickets, ranging from $25 to $250, will go on-sale starting April 4 and may be purchased online at www.kennedy-center.orgor at the Kennedy Center box office or by phone at phone number (202) 467-4600.

There will be sponsorship packages available for corporations and individuals who would like to underwrite the event. For information on sponsorship opportunities and other queries, please email [email protected] or call +1.202.595.2880.

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Originally posted: May 9, 2014 | 3:37 pm