AHON: A Fundraiser for Survivors of Sendong

AHON: A Fundraiser for Survivors of Sendong

ANAKBAYAN-Toronto, in community partnership with Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture, will hold a benefit gig on February 4, 2012 for the survivors of Typhoon Sendong. Dubbed “AHON,” a Filipino term for rising up from water, this spectacular one-off event will include a bazaar, where unique items will be auctioned, and an evening of music, poetry and theatre performances.

AHON follows the series of relief efforts in the Philippines after Sendong (international name Washi) ravaged Northern Mindanao region and some islands in the Visayas. The most updated toll has put the numbers to 891 dead and additional 502 persons still to be identified from the worst-hit Cagayan de Oro City. In Iligan City, 408 deaths have been confirmed together with 330 unidentified dead bodies. An additional 1,023 individuals have been reported missing. A total of 54,795 people has been reported to be displaced due to the typhoon, the most devastating in the last three years.

Survivors have been staying in overpopulated evacuation centres, many of which are ill-equipped and are constantly running out of supplies. ANAKBAYAN is aspiring to link the Toronto community in this response. Proceeds to be raised in AHON will be helpful in paying for the necessary items the survivors need the most such as sanitary items, food and vitamins. Monetary aid has been chosen over donations in kind because of its speed and ease in transferability.

ANAKBAYAN-Toronto is one of the overseas chapters of ANAKBAYAN, a Philippine-wide mass organization of Filipino youth from all sectors advocating for genuine freedom and democracy in the country. The chapter conducts campaigns for the rights and welfare of Filipino youth and the larger Filipino community, and provides educational sessions pertaining to Philippine issues, history and current events. It also works with other organizations with similar objectives.

Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts & Culture is a youth-led non-profit organization with an inter-generational sphere. Their mission is to promote the social and professional development of Filipino youth, artists, and entrepreneurs, using multi-disciplinary arts, Filipino culture, and knowledge-of-self as a foundation for empowerment — for the whole community.

AHON will be held at Kapisanan at 167 Augusta Street in Kensington Market. Doors will open at 4pm kick-started by the silent auction and will end with the performances. Admissions are $5 minimum donation.

For more updates and info about the event, the online auction or how to donate via AHON, visit the AHON Facebook event page or the website at http://ahonsendong.tumblr.com/, or call Mithi Esguerra at (647) 239-6553.

(PRESS RELEASE)