UP Alumni to stage benefit concert for flood victims

MANILA, Philippines - To help rebuild the lives of needy flood victims, the University of the Philippines Alumni Association Inc. (UPAA) will stage “Pagbangon,” a grand musical-literary concert celebrating the power of hope in the face of catastrophe and showcasing world-acclaimed UP artists and guest celebrities. This concert will be held on Dec. 12, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the UP Theater in Diliman, Quezon City.

Under the direction of theater luminary and UPAA first vice president Behn Cervantes, “Pagbangon” the concert is also intended to be a unique fund-raising event, with the victims of the recent floods as beneficiaries.

The concert’s program will be divided into two parts. The first half of the program will feature prominent UP personalities — including UP president Emerlinda Roman, UP regent and UPAA president Alfredo Pascual, and UP Diliman chancellor Sergio Cao, and well-known UP alumni such as Jessica Soho and Joonee Gamboa — reading poems about fortitude, courage and sharing.

The readings will be interspersed with songs ranging from popular contemporary hits, classical pieces, operatic numbers, and timeless melodies, to be performed by famous UP performing artists such as classical guitarist Lester Demetillo and flutist Sonny Yangco, renowned singers and performers Ana Feleo, Dondi Ong, Lara Maigue, Fides Asencio, Joseph Olfindo, Pinky Marquez, Bing Pimentel, Jonathan Badon, Emlyn Santos, Bibeth Orteza, Jeanne Velasco Vicars, Susan Tagle, Maricris Joaquin, Jonaf del Fierro, the UP Cherubim and Seraphim, the UP Manila Chorale, the newly-organized UP-JMEG Choir, and the Maria Della Strada Chorale. UP College of Music alumna Emlyn Olfindo-Santos is the musical director of the event.

Performers for the second part of the program, which will be emceed by Prof. Solita “Winnie” Monsod and Prof. Edru Abraham, include popular artists and celebrities such as Sarah Geronimo, Celia Laurel and son Cocoy Laurel, Marco Sison, Gina Alajar, Cesar Montano, Celeste Legaspi, and Leo Valdez. Other well-known UP alumni who will participate in the program are Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Loren Legarda and Manuel Villar.

In addition, several art pieces from the recent UPAA art exhibition featuring the UP Centennial Artists aptly entitled “Kalikasan” will also be displayed, presenting a poignant contrast between Nature immortalized by the artists and Nature-abused and in full fury. These art works will be auctioned off during the concert.

According to UPAA president Fred Pascual, the show will also help redirect the focus of donors and volunteers from relief to rehabilitation as well as promote greater sensitivity to the destructive effects of environmental abuse. In addition, flood victims still cramped in evacuation centers will be brought to the show for an uplifting experience. Director Behn Cervantes sees the concert as a fitting occasion to also honor the heroism of all those who sought to give and to help, even at the risk of their own lives.

There will be two showings of “Pagbangon” the concert, with the matinee at 2:00 p.m. offered to UP and other public school students at a minimal fee. Tickets to the gala at 7 p.m. are set at P1,000 and P500, and are available at the UPAA Secretariat, Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman (092-6871) and from Ticketnet (911-5555).