Hurricane Sandy’s massive destruction last October 29 left a disheartening aftermath of numerous residential houses mercilessly splintered like matchsticks in unimaginable proportions. To date, there are still growing numbers of displaced families. Since then, countless disaster relief operations have been launched and millions of funds were released to benefit the mounting number of flood victims in the east coast particularly in the New Jersey and New York areas.
Filipino- Americans, being compassionate and humanitarian, once again gallantly responded to the call of the needy. At the same time, they showed their unmatched resiliency towards such inevitable disaster.
Amid charred ruins of more than hundred houses that were literally leveled down to the ground during the hurricane-whipped blaze at Breezy Point in Queens, a group of concerned Filipino-American volunteers became one of the earliest responders who went there with necessary material supplies and a genuine mission to assist the victims in picking up the pieces that will help them move on and start life anew.
A prominent figure in the group was the respected community leader and event organizer Juliet Payabyab who augustly spearheaded the campaign. With a focused directing head on the helm like Juliet, everything on the drawing board was almost as good as implemented.
Together, in their earnest desire to instantly take the project into full force, the group aptly coined PATAG (which literally means level, flat, or smoothly even in Tagalog), an acronym for Phil-Am Tulong Agad Group which aimed to immediately disperse help or assistance to family victims.
Early volunteers were Lumen Castaneda, Ronnie Mataquel, Ernie Palomarco, Rose Villanueva, Bella Estanislao, Christine Balingao, Rex Romero, and Grace Labaguis.
GMA International-Pinoy TV instantly responded by donating rice cookers, rice, canned goods, sugar, soap, towels, blankets, and other basic necessities through the initiative of its northeast production executive, Grace Labaguis.
Not long after, still overwhelmed by their charitable momentum and adrenalin drive, PATAG thought of a free concert as another ultimate ditch effort to easily raise additional funds for the displaced families.
Jointly conceptualized with award-winning stage-theater actor-director Miguel Braganza II and with the support of the Philippine Consulate General New York, “We Care…Tulong Agad!” Benefit Concert was mounted on stage last Tuesday, Nov. 20 at the Kalayaan Hall.
“Gathering together Filipino-American talents for a good cause is the easiest to do. Afterall, a music presentation remains to be the best fundraising source,” said Miguel who activated every possible resource to be able to come up with a brilliant show in such limited time frame.
“But it was all worth it. This is such a great collective effort instantly benefiting our less fortunate kababayans,” he said.
Topbilled by named Broadway stars, West End London celebrities, and promising Fil-Am performers from the tri-state area, the evening of songs, stars, and hope was under the superb direction of Miguel Braganza II with accomplished film-stage-theater actress Lorli Villanueva as co-director and scriptwriter.
mong those who wholeheartedly volunteered to perform were: Matthew Marano, dancer-choreographer Chelsea Ainsworth, model-singer Gail Banawis ( who inspiringlyinspiringly belted “Alleluia”), Marcos Depompeis (who rendered the horrendous hurricane namesake “Sandy” from Grease), Katarina Ladaga (who effortlessly did “The Girl in 14G”), award-winning Filipino talent Liana Sta. Ana, Rachel Garcia, Josh Hanson, Matie Marano, and Latina talent Clarice Mayo (who impressively rendered “Huwag Ka Nang Mawawala” in a suavely distinct Filipino tongue).
The first part of the show had a crystal-exploding experience when fast-rising band vocalist and digital artist Arnel Arcedo did the cover of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” to the astonishment of the crowd because of his high-octave vocal range.
West End London Miss Saigon star Ester Barroso-Guanzon’s rendition of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” was nearly flawless but the heightened energy was ably sustained by beauteous young singer Alyssa Shoemaker’s dramatic interpretation of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” that segued to a climactic duet with her equally talented mom, Maureen Javier Varco, when they nailed the moment with Boubil-Schoenberg’s “I Dream A Dream” to the hilt.
Other top-rated performers included Baritone Mark Roska who delivered Rossini-Barbiere di Sivilgia’s “Largo Al Factotum,” Essel Villamor (who sung “Stand By Me” and “Elesi”) with Kent Condeniera on the guitar and second vocal, and an ensemble of accompanists when Rachel Garcia made an encore: Florencia de Guzman on the piano, Christine Arboleda on viola, Charmise Veraque on violin, and Tim Garcia on the guitar.
But what actually brought the house down was the superb performance of West End London stage superstar David Shannon. This lead actor of Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, and Phantom of the opera imperatively drove the audience in tranquil stance that one could drop a pin and still distinctly hear its faint sound. The audience was held in spell with the amazing quality of his vocal capacity and varying level of vocal range with rich diaphragmatic breathing and full glottal control, not to mention his very electrifying stage presence.
The finale segment was composed of Broadway performer Sybil Raymundo Santiago who sung Adelle’s “Jar of Hearts” and “Set on Fire” accompanied by Ang Tatlong Rondalista: Lito David, Leon De Lara, and Rudy Reyes.
Saving the Diva for last, former Philippine actress, singer-comedienne Lorli Villanueva successfully reprised her recent concert’s repertoire when she delivered oldies-but-goodies Filipino ditties with gusto. Her rendition of Kulay Rosas which is the Tagalog version of “La Vie en Rose”, Maala-ala Mo Kaya, and Usahay was still a crowd favorite attesting the latter’s singing along with her in some portions.
After two collections during the intermissions, the funds were instantly distributed to PATAG’s designated hurricane-affected beneficiaries.
Incidentally, aside from the numerous donors and volunteers, the following generously offered their services for free: adorable pastry chef Adora Adora Penn provided snacks and drinks, Little John of DJ Filipino, who was also a spear-header during the Typhoon Ondoy drive, masterfully supervised the lights and sounds of the venue, while Tony Abellar energetically manned the stage and props. If every performer looked stunning on stage there’s but only Irene Zapanta and her magic touch to be credited for.
PATAG wishes to acknowledge the following for their support: PCNY Cutural Officer Marievic Dimaculangan, PACCAL President Rose P. Javier, MB2 New York Musical Theater Lab, Debbie Sese for flyer layout, Handang Tumulong Foundation, Association of Filipino Teachers in America (AFTA), Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL), Vivian Cruz, Michelle Saulon, United Mindoro International, Filipino Association of Rockland FAR), Garden State Filipino American Association, Inc. (GSFAA), East Coast Charities, Inc.(ECCI), Maharlika Pilipino USA, Friends of Mindoro, Actors Equity Association (AEA), and to those, who in a way or the other, contributed to the success of this endeavor.
PATAG couldn’t be more satisfied with the successful outcome of what they have toiled for. “To merely say Thank You won’t suffice to reciprocate what our friends and supporters unselfishly contributed to the success of our fund drive. Our kababayans are truly dependable especially during calamities and disasters,” PATAG leader Juliet Payabyab said after the show.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank all performers, volunteers, donors and supporters who never had second thoughts in addressing this enormous natural calamity. Giving out even the least of what we have undoubtedly benefited those who lost everything,” she added.
