Tessie, others provide heartfelt punchlines

MANILA, Philippines - Tessie Tomas recently spearheaded a benefit musical comedy show for the purpose of specifically helping people from her native province of Samar directly affected by Supertyphoon Yolanda.

The star-studded gathering saw the TV personality, who hails from Catbalogan, Samar, excitedly hosting the event alongside fellow famous comic figures Roderick Paulate and Kempee de Leon. Their spiels complemented the vocally electrifying performances from the likes of Richard Merck, Nanette Inventor and Verni Varga, among others.

“This is the time to unite. Kumatok ako at hindi ako binigo ng aking mga kaibigan at mga taong nagmamalasakit,” shared the satire star who is the president of Katbalaoganon Foundation, Inc. (KFI), the group behind the initiative.

In the past weeks, KFI is said to have sent three truckloads of relief goods in the Samar towns of Basey and Marabut. The proceeds of the show would be used to help affected families, in particular in giving them temporary shelters.

The show’s title was Bulig Kita (Let’s Help when translated to English).

“Salamat Tessie at inimbitahan mo kami,” Merck told the crowd. Varga, who sang Kahit Isang Saglit, commended the actress famous for portraying Imelda Marcos in the People Power movie A Dangerous Life, remarking, “Totoong tao po yan!”

The well-attended musical spectacle, with price tickets amounting to as high as P10,000, serving as donations for Samareños, was held at K-Pub BBQ at The Fort Strip last Dec. 8, incidentally exactly a month after Yolanda struck Visayas.

“When you’re down, there’s no way but up,” Tomas, now with GMA Network, added.

Meanwhile, two other respected comic personalities appeared before the press with the same purpose of helping out and bringing smile to everyone this Christmas in spite of the calamity that shook the country and the globe.

Giselle Sanchez, donning her Salaminkera character, entertained the media last Wednesday during a Thanksgiving Party hosted by the company behind the product Sangobion which she endorses. It was held at Isabela A., Makati Shangri-La as Sangobion executives donated P200,000 to typhoon victims by way of the Philippine Red Cross. According to the event organizer, each media attendee was equivalent to a P5,000-donation.      

 On the other hand, Fil-Am Rex Navarette performed for a one-night show last Dec. 21 at the Solaire Grand Ballroom, Solaire Resort and Casino along Aseana Avenue, Parañaque City.

Rex, talking about humor, noted, “I think everything has humor. Even though most of my material is geared for Filipino audiences, if you’re smart enough you’ll understand the universality of it.”

Disaster victims had been promised to benefit from a portion of his show’s proceeds.