Fundraising concert ‘Amore’ goes ‘above expectations’

CEBU, Philippines —  The benefit concert organized by the PNP Region 7 Officers’ Ladies Club (OLC) was a resounding success with a full house venue and warm feedback from the audience – so much so that the group’s president was already considering mounting something similar twice a year right after the event.

“Amore: A Night of Music and Compassion”, held March 25 at the Atlantic Hall of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, was headlined by OPM Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma and featured other artists that covered a variety of genres from pop, opera, theatrical, classics, and even comedy.

Ledesma regaled the crowd with her classics, including her most popular song “Till I Met You” and My Husband’s Lover’s “One More Try”, as well as her renditions of modern hits, interspersed with testimonies about her spiritual faith.

Also leaving the audience in awe were Boholano theater actor-singer Genreid Estrada who debuted his single “Stronger Than Before”, Charity Diva Token Lizares, pop-opera singer Jonathan Badon, and “Asia’s Got Talent” semi-finalist Angel Mistress who had the police officers and the rest in attendance in stitches with her onstage antics.

“It went above our expectations because we had very conservative promotion due to our limited time, preparation, and budget. We didn’t expect we can fill the Atlantic Hall of Waterfront,” OLC-Region 7 President Leslie Lim told The FREEMAN.

“And most of the viewers gave us positive reactions and comments that they enjoyed the show that had different performers.”

In opening remarks before performers took to the stage, Lim says that they thought of spearheading the dinner concert for-a-cause months back because “we felt there was a need in our family to help.”

“We believe that charity begins at home so all proceeds of this event will go to PNP personnel undergoing medical crisis,” added Lim about the concert which was meant to raise funds for at least 45 PNP-7 personnel who are undergoing chemotherapy and renal failure treatments. “In our organization, we want to have a meaningful purpose.”

Lim said that while they are bent on doing a follow-up as seeing the results of “Amore” was “very fulfilling”, their main focus at the moment is to identify the first batch of beneficiaries from different police stations.

“No exact date yet for the second concert. Once we are able to accomplish our objective, then we can sit down again with the OLC members for another possible fundraising event,” Lim said.

“As to the possible artists, no names yet in mind but definitely we will be choosing quality and talented performers like those who performed that can equally entertain the Cebuanos and leave us all with delighted hearts.”