LOS ANGELES—Filipino-American media practitioners here have raised at least $9,000 for media colleagues who were among those who died and lost their homes when Typhoon “Sendong” struck Northern Mindanao last month.
The media practitioners spearheaded a benefit concert and art auction, dubbed Sining Para sa Bayan, in Glendale, California, on Jan. 21.
The two-part event featured top-notch performers, musicians and artists, including Pinoy folk rock pioneer Florante and Emmy-award winner Jess Española, a visual animator for the cartoon series “The Simpsons.”
NUJP fund drive
Proceeds will go to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) fund for media workers who were among the victims of the deadly typhoon that left more than 1,000 people dead and displaced around 330,000 residents in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
“Fil-Am media professionals in the Los Angeles area have come together to show support for and solidarity with colleagues in the Philippines who need help,” said Myrna Aquitania, president of the Filipino American Press Club of Los Angeles, which organized the event in collaboration with NUJP-US, Frontliners Media Group, F7 Media and Philippine Press Photographers-USA.
Justin Bieber and Legaci
Other performers included the Fil-Am backup singers of Justin Bieber, Legaci, singer and songwriter Becca Godinez, internationally acclaimed tenor Jonathan Badon, Louie Reyes, Paco Arespacochaga, and jazz musicians Tateng Katindig and Ner de Leon.
“This event is our way of reaching out to colleagues who need our help,” said Jannelle So, host and producer of KSCI 18’s Kababayan LA, the first and only Filipino talk show on a mainstream broadcast station. She cohosted the three-hour concert with well-known thespian Bernardo Bernardo.
Among those who participated in the art auction was Texas-based artist Glenn Bautista, who created the Jorge Bocobo mural at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, and painters Vics Magsaysay, Rafael Maniago, Mat Relox, Boi Sibug and Magoo Valencia.
“We have come together to offer our talents for kababayans who need our support,” said Española, who won an Emmy for his work in the cartoon series “The Simpsons” as assistant director for animation.
Media performers, too
Also performing on stage were media members who are also musicians, including Balita Media executive editor Rhony Laigo and Asian Journal photographer and Filipino-American Symphony Orchestra (Faso) cofounder Andy Tecson. Other celebrities joining the event were Faso musical director and conductor Bob Shroder, Miguel Vera, Joe Awayan, Malou Toler, Mon Concepcion and rap artist Vicoy BagongSigaw. The concert was directed by publisher and columnist Lou Sabas.
Last month’s typhoon killed at least 1,200 people in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, who were either buried by mudslides or swept away by flash floods into the sea.
35 journalists affected
At least 35 journalists from Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities were affected by the storm. Two Iligan-based journalists died while others lost their homes and belongings.
Among the journalists displaced by Sendong were newspaper correspondents Leonardo Vicente “Cong” Corrales, Jigger Jerusalem, Bonita Ermac and television correspondent Merlyn Manos.
Iligan City radio reporter and news anchor Michael Kundiman was swept away at the height of the storm. His body is yet to be found.