A song of hope for Ondoy victims

MANILA, Philippines - To whom much is given, much is expected in return. S.O.P. took this call to social responsibility to heart when it devoted its show last Sunday, Oct. 4, to helping the victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

The noontime show overhauled its original plans that day — a celebration of German Moreno’s birthday and Yna Asistio’s debut — in keeping with the spirit of giving and sharing this disaster season.

Instead of upbeat dance numbers, the show kicked off with a dimming of the lights as Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez led the collective singing of the stirring I Will Be, the Ondoy theme and music video.

Janno Gibbs and Ogie, who initially wrote the song for a project of the Kapuso Foundation, agreed to change some of the lyrics and make it appropriate as theme for GMA 7’s rehab efforts for Ondoy victims.

“The relief efforts are not enough,” Ogie observes. “That’s why Rowell Santiago and I are planning to help a benefit concert dubbed Kaya Natin `To at the Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 14.”

Elsewhere in the GMA compound, Ogie’s fellow artists were busy manning the telethon and repacking of relief goods. John Lapus was on his knees, stuffing rice, noodles and other goodies in a plastic shopping bag.

“I don’t have that much money to give,” he explains. “So I’m donating my time instead.”

If he had his way, John doesn’t want anyone to trumpet his good deed. But on second thought, he grudgingly agreed to a camera shot “so others will be inspired to do good.”

“People look up to artists,” he explains. So if he can move others to lend a helping hand as well, why not?

Later that day, Mel & Joey did what it has done for years now: Go live. The show devoted its episode to guesting stars Ondoy humbled and rendered helpless and the lessons they learned. The Kapuso Telethon for Ondoy victims, continued on the show.

That Sunday proved how helping hands are never wanting when disaster strikes. And while the job of rebuilding is long and arduous, light still shines at the end of the tunnel.

That’s why S.O.P. aired its concert-TV and Mel & Joey went live last Oct. 4. That’s also why we continue to hold our head up high, despite and in spite of Ondoy, and other disasters as well.