Sen. JV holds Aftershock show for Yolanda victims

Movie writers invited to yesterday’s presscon agreed with Sen. JV Ejercito that in times like this when thousands have died and are missing, and survivors have been rendered homeless in the wake of Super Typhoon Yolanda, government officials (actually everybody) should set aside politics and avoid finger-pointing.

“There should be no color…no yellow, no red, no orange,” said JV who is mounting a concert called Aftershock on Nov. 30 at San Juan City’s Fil-Oil Flying V Arena (for tickets at P500 per, call Ticketnet at 911-5555). “More than 15 bands and artists are performing gratis et amore and I’m thankful for their kindness,” among them Luke Mejares, Giselle Sanchez, True Faith, Shamrock, Mojofly, Orient Pearl, Nexxus, Alamid, The Youth, Soapdish, Paolo Santos, Nyoy Volante, Filipinas Band, Sheree, Karla Estrada, Alvin Anson, Jett Pangan, Cookie Chua, Noel Cabangon and other “surprise” guests.

The fund-raiser is held in cooperation with the City Government of San Juan (of which JV’s mom Guia Gomez is the mayor) in partnership with Oplan Kaagapay of the Junior Chamber International Philippines (JCIP) and JCI Pinaglabanan.

“It’s our second time to hold this kind of project,” added JV. “The first was for the victims of typhoons Sendong and Ondoy and we were able to raise P2 million. This time, our target is P24 million. We hope to help in the rehabilitation of the typhoon victims in Samar, Leyte, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan and other places in Eastern Visayas when they start rebuilding their lives and starting anew.”

The idea was hatched at Chivs Bar in Greenhills owned by JV since 2006 where artists usually hang out.

For sure, JV’s wife Cindy Lotuaco (a former Cathay Pacific flight attendant and Mutya ng Pilipinas finalist) will again help in the fund-raiser.

More beauty queens also raising funds

Showing everybody that they are not just beautiful outside, several of our beauty queens went out of their way to make a difference for the victims of the strongest typhoon that ever hit the Philippines.

Perhaps the busiest among them is Boholana-Cebuana Anna Maris Igpit, Bb. Pilipinas-World 2006. Before Typhoon Yolanda hit Eastern Visayas, she was already immersed in coordinating relief efforts a day after the Oct. 15 earthquake in Cebu and Bohol. The two tragedies motivated her more to strive harder in helping the victims.

Last Nov. 18, Anthea Robles’ “Hope Floats” raised $10,000 in New York City. Among the Pinay beauty queens and models who helped her in the event were Dindi Gallardo, Lucia Santiago, Maricor Lustre, Nol Cueto and Mary Joy de Leon.

Magnificent Woman Icon 2013 second runner-up Joyce Pilarsky, together with members of the Filipino-German Community, braved the freezing weather to raise funds for our countrymen.

Miss World 2013 Megan Young is currently in the USA to raise money and awareness of the tragedy in the Central Philippines. She will be attending several charity events in New York, New Jersey and Los Angeles.

Miss Philippines-Earth 2013 Angelee Claudette delos Reyes is currently competing at the 2013 Miss Earth Pageant in Manila. She was one of the candidates who welcomed evacuees from Tacloban at Villamor Air Base. They provided them food and emotional support after the terrifying ordeal they had during the storm.

— Reported by Felix Manuel, one of Funfare’s ‘beauty experts’

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Before flying to the USA for a series of fundraising events, Miss World 2013 Megan Young visited the headquarters of The Sun newspaper in London which launched a campaign to raise funds for Yolanda victims. Megan lent her voice to The Sun’s endeavor which is also supported by celebrities including Simon Cowell, Naomi Campbell, Myleene Klass, Vanessa White, Al Murray and Olly Murs. The cash donations are now nearing the $1 million mark. The Sun is working with the Disasters Emergency Committee, an umbrella organization of UK’s 14 biggest aid charities.

Last Tuesday, Megan appeared on one of USA’s leading morning shows, ABC’s Good Morning America, where she shared the present situation in the typhoon-stricken provinces. She was accompanied by New York Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. Megan also appeared on OK!TV to continue her fundraising efforts and had an interview with the Associated Press later that day. 

On Nov. 27, Megan and the Beauty With A Purpose delegation are scheduled to arrive in Manila to personally bring all the funds raised in the US. The next two days, they will visit typhoon victims at the evacuation centers in Tacloban City and Coron, Palawan.  

— Reported by Celso de Guzman Caparas/Photos by Miss World Organization

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