Local artists hold Sagip Taal fundraiser concert

Local artists hold Sagip Taal fundraiser concert

Singer-songwriter Mae Janelle performs her original song “Smile”    (Photos: Ysh Cabana)

By Ysh Cabana
The Philippine Reporter

Lightning, tremors, belching ash, and spewing lava. About 259,000 people were affected by the recent Taal Volcano phreatic eruption. Animals and plants were killed. Taal has evolved into an international disaster response.

Originally of Tanauan, Batangas, Eric Natividad, who has lived in Canada for decades, found himself among the audience at Prestige by Night in Toronto February 1, 2020.

Deidream kicks off the concert with their acoustic set

Indie bands Deidream, Fallover, Uppercase and Montreal’s Beautiful Sabotage, artists Xavier (High Raw), Earth Geraneo, Em Idol and Rodel, Mae Janelle, April Joyce, Zena Zagala, and Josie de Leon with her School of Performing Arts students performed at the Sagip Taal Benefit Concert.

The Saturday night fundraiser was organized in a week’s time to complement Migrante’s call for Sagip Migrante (Migrants Rescue) relief operations.

Ma. Sol Pajadura, chairperson of Migrante-Canada shares that it is part of a network progressive organizations representing different sectors in aid of the needs of communities affected by natural and man-made disasters.

“This (Sagip Migrante) effort, says Pajadura, “started in 2009, when there was a massive flood in Metro Manila caused by the typhoon Ondoy.”

Uppercase band featuring Kath Guangco

“We provided relief goods and medical services to the victims. Then, last 2013, this was activated again when there was the typhoon Haiyan that hit eastern Visayas,” she says.

In Batangas, members and volunteers extended assistance and conducted needs assessment to evacuees from Agoncillo, Lemery, Taal and Talisay, according to Migrante International. The relief operations provided hygiene kits to more than 200 families that are temporarily staying at the towns of Sto. Tomas and Tanauan.

Other than Canada, the network had advocavy groups from different countries including Uganayang Pilipino sa Belgium, Migrante-Hong Kong, Migrante-Milan Italy, KASAMMA KO (Korea) contribute to the relief drive.

“Di ba pag mga ganitong pangyayari we become touched and nagiging sentimental tayo pabalik sa Pilipinas. Kaya tama po ang ginagawa nating ito,” says Josie de Leon.

The Toronto gig was assembled by various organizations led by Malaya Movement in Canada, Filipino Canadian Students Association (FILCASA), Filipino Students Association of Toronto (FSAT), International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines-Canada, Anakbayan Toronto, BAYAN Canada, Radyo Migrante, TV Migrante and Migrante-Ontario chapter.

“Kapag sama-sama tayo, may mangyayari. And I hope this is not the last of many events,” says Marissa Corpus of Malaya Movement in Canada. “Thank you to all the performers, that was just unbelievable. So much talent in our community.“

Meanwhile, “Sagip Taal” is also the title of the song composed by Lui Queaño, who was inspired to write after the eruption affected his family and caused the displacement of communities. He then sought the help of Kevin Feliciano, and the two of them began to collaborate on the arrangement of music. Queaño then called up Rhea Gamana about getting together to record the song.

“We are very concerned about what’s happening with our compatriots,” says Gamana.

“Even if we’re here outside the Philippines, we are able to help in any way we can as much as possible,” she says.

Feliciano says the track is available for purchase online. All proceeds also go to Sagip Migrante’s relief operations.

Xavier, Fil-Can hip hop artist, hailing from the Durham Region

Toronto-based ensemble Fallover

April Joyce covers the pop tune “Hawak Kamay”

Fatima Barron of youth group Anakbayan Toronto explains the link between issues that affect migrants and why it is important to care for what’s happening in the motherland.

Rosie and Stef of youth group Anakbayan-Toronto

Emcees Kevin Feliciano and Robyn Matuto

Coleen illustrations: Part of the program was a silent auction featuring paintings by the Philippine Artists Group, calligraphy class by Pinya Letters, macarons by Made by mree baked goods, Living Hyphen magazine, jewellery by The Groggy Owl and more.

Sagip Taal organizers, performers, volunteers after the fundraising concert.