‘YOLANDA’ SURVIVOR Melvin Castro sits in the rubble of his home in Tacloban City where 18 of his family members were killed. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—World-renowned singer Charice Pempengco and international fashion designer Josie Natori have joined an already star-studded line-up of Filipino celebrities for a benefit concert in Washington, D.C. for victims of supertyphoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan).
Award-winning Filipina singer Lea Salonga and Black Eyed Peas member apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda in real life), are among the performers who will participate in the concert dubbed “After the Storm: A Benefit Concert for the Philippines” which will be held at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on June 15, 2014.
“We are delighted that the concert will be graced by such big talents. I am encouraging everyone to buy their tickets as soon as possible, as the first and second tier tickets are already sold out,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. said in a statement.
“By purchasing a ticket, you will be helping rebuild the devastation that occurred in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan,” he said.
Also in the lineup of performers are Hollywood actor Lou Diamond Phillips, ballet dancer Christine Rocas, tenor Rodell Rosel, Glee star Darren Criss, and renowned violinist Joshua Bell.
Organized by the Philippine Embassy in the US in cooperation with the US-Philippines Society and the Philippine Humanitarian Coalition, the concert will be directed by Broadway legend Baayork Lee and produced by Emmy-nominated producer, Robert Pullen, the embassy said.
Pempengco rose to fame after she was discovered on YouTube and was dubbed as “the most talented girl in the world” by Oprah Winfrey.
Natori is a multi-awarded designer and founder of The Natori Company which supplies lingerie items, ready-to-wear collection, home, fragrance, and eyewear to international stores.
