Unity Concert for typhoon victims
Unity Concert for typhoon victims
TORONTO – The idea of a Unity Concert to bring together all groups wanting to sustain assistance towards the relief and rehabilitation of typhoon victims in the Philippines has snowballed with new groups and more concert performers joining in to lend support.
The ticketed concert is being planned for the end of November in a Toronto venue that can accommodated the many thousands of supporters expected to find this project a good way of combining and maximizing the goodwill effort they can generate with several groups and talents working together.
Simply dubbed “Unity Concert: Rebuilding People’s Lives 2009” for Philippine typhoon victims, the project aims to gather groups that maybe planning or may have already conducted their own fund-raising efforts and established their own Philippine contacts for administering the funds, but are still willing to work together in a collaborative project that would directly benefit the typhoon victims.
After just two weeks from the time the call was made by the Community Alliance for Social Justice through e-mail and personal contacts, the following organization have confirmed with CASJ their participation: Kababayan Community Centre; Philippine Press Club-Ontario (PPCO); Kapisanan ng Kabataang Pilipino; Philippine Advocacy Through Arts and Culture (PATAC); Silayan Communtiy Centre; Philippine Heritage Band; Santaguinians; Canadian Aid Relief Project; Joy of the Lord; Philippine Independence Day Council; Pangasinan Association; various regional, religious and alumni associations.
Musical artists who have personally signified participation are: Ma-Anne Dionisio, Lilac Cana, Karen Tan, Josie de Leon, Emilio Zarris, Vonnie Beltran and Chyrell Samson. Also invited are young Filipino rockers, rappers and spoken word artists.
The concert organizers are seeking the support and endorsement of two Members of Legislative Assembly of Filipino descent: Florfina Marcelino of Manitoba and Mable Elmore of British Columbia.
Concert organizers have identified the Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC) as its main administrator for the funds in the Philippines. CDRC is a 25-year old organization respected nationally and internationally for its integrity and accountability in terms of ensuring that relief goes directly o the most vulnerable among the disaster victims. Recognized by the United Nations and various disaster relief and rehabilitation organizations throughout the world, CDRC immediately conducts a needs assessment by directly consulting victims’ families regarding priorities for funding, and submits reports to donor organizations before during and after funds are directed through them. CDRC, aside from relief and rehabilitation, also specializes in disaster preparedness through education, training, and acting on ways by which the residents in disaster prone areas can themselves prepare how to mitigate the harmful impact of natural calamities on their lives and those of their families.
Other recipient organizations, as appropriate, may be considered for the administration of funds toward targeted and identified projects that directly benefit the victims.
CDRC was the administrator of the funds of the first concert organized by CASJ to help the victims of the Guinsaugon mudslide in 2006. The concert, dubbed, Rebuilding People’s Lives, raised $10,000 Canadian dollars. A financial report and the progress of the Guinsaugon rehabilitation project – a livelihood program that would involve the victims families themselves in the production of their food to feed themselves for at least one year – were reported to media and published in this and other newspapers.
Organizations and individuals are welcome to join the project and participate actively in preparations for the concert.
Planning and preparatory meetings for the Unity Concert are held during Saturdays at OPSEU in 31 Wellesley St. E, Toronto. The next meeting is on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 12 noon. To confirm attrendance, call Ben Corpuz at (416) 886-8921. Email: casj_canada@yahoo.ca
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