Helping Visayas through music and laughter
EMMY-WINNING news anchor Cher Calvin also served as the show’s emcee. RUBEN. V. NEPALES
LOS ANGELES—Apl.de.ap, will.i.am and Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas (BEP), Fil-Am comedian Jo Koy and a 13-year-old Filipino-Singaporean shone in the recent “Rebuild Philippines!” concert at LA’s renowned outdoor show venue, the Greek Theater.
Miguel Antonio, Apl’s teen protégé whose mom is Filipino and dad is Singaporean-Indian, almost stole the star-studded concert with his performance of an original song, “Hope of One Voice” and Billy Joel’s “Piano Man.” Miguel’s pure, angelic voice filled the theater where the likes of Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen have sung.
A technical glitch that had to be fixed on stage before Miguel could start his numbers showed the young talent’s uncanny poise and composure; he spoke to the audience with humor.
Apl, will.i.am and Taboo drew a standing ovation with their BEP and respective solo hits. Apl, whose The Apl.de.ap Foundation International spearheaded the concert to raise funds for Typhoon “Haiyan” (Supertyphoon “Yolanda”) survivors, talked about his worries in communicating to people before he moved to the United States as a young boy with limited English fluency. “Use the dictionary,” Apl recalled his Filipino mother telling him.
Will.i.am recounted meeting Apl, his new playmate, for the first time. He recalled asking Apl if he was hungry by miming. Now, in addition to his music career, Apl is a dedicated philanthropist through his foundation, which not only helps in rebuilding areas affected by Haiyan but also builds classrooms, supports talented youths like Miguel (Apl personally invited Miguel to fly to LA to perform in the show) and more.
KC MONTERO (left), who was only visiting LA, gamely hosted the event, with Manny Streetz and Nia Peeples. RUBEN. V. NEPALES
At one point in their rousing set, Taboo exclaimed, “I want to send a shoutout to our sister Fergie and say that the Black Eyed Peas are forever!”
We finally got to watch comedian Jo Koy, whose hilarious, dead-on recollection of his Fil-Am mom’s foibles had the audience in stitches. We never laughed so hard. Jo Koy’s humor hit home because his jokes, especially of his recollection of his mom (like being fed, kamayan style, before his surprised young American friends), were so accurate and well-observed. Comedians Joey Guila and Ron Josol were also well-received.
Emmy award-winning TV news anchor Cher Calvin (daughter of former actor Roger Calvin), Fil-Am actress Nia Peeples and KC Montero (who was visiting from Manila but nobly participated in the show because it was for a worthy cause) co-hosted the concert.
Manny Streetz (Manny Guevara), the Fil-Am who’s part of Ryan Seacrest’s morning radio show, also appeared onstage and dished out several jokes.
US debut
Top metal rock band Slapshock flew from the Philippines to make its US debut at the Greek. Apl joined the band in their last number.
SLAPSHOCK shares centerstage with producer Apl.de.Ap. RUBEN. V. NEPALES
As the audience cheered them in their finale number, members of the acclaimed dance crew Jabbawockeez took off their masks, probably one of the few times, if not the first, that they revealed their faces onstage.
DJ Q-Bert dazzled the audience with his spinning artistry.
Singer-songwriter Chris Hayzel, the son of Nia and Howard Hewett (former lead vocalist of the R&B group, Shalamar), opened the show.
The Philippine Chamber Singers-Los Angeles, led by Gelo Francisco, drew applause with their numbers. Our friend John Mina surprised us by joining the exceptional chorale group for the first time.
Community leader and philanthropist Sonia Delen was one of the figures who spoke onstage in support of the foundation’s projects.
The candidates for this year’s Binibining Pilipinas USA, organized by Norberto “Jojo” Reyes and Mildred Deang, graced the stage.
THE PHILIPPINE Chamber Singers-Los Angeles, led by Gelo Francisco, drew enthusiastic applause with their performance. RUBEN. V. NEPALES
Some of the other performers who shared their time and talents to help in the rebuilding efforts, especially toward assisting children who were displaced by the typhoon, were AJ Rafael, The Filharmonic, Jazmin Sisters, Little Ones and Leah McFall (from England’s “The Voice”; she is coached by will.i.am).
Bravo to all the talents and volunteers, especially Ted Benito, the executive director of the Apl.de.ap Foundation International, who worked tirelessly to make the concert a success.
Streamed live by Irocke, “Rebuild Philippines!” is one of the most viewed concerts this month.
(E-mail the columnist at [email protected]. Follow him at https://twitter.com/nepalesruben.)
