Typhoon relief global fundraiser to feature artists in a virtual talent show Dec. 12

WASHINGTON — In response to urgent pleas for help from Philippine typhoon victims and needy families affected by the global pandemic, Filipino American artists and performers will share their gifts of music and dance in a “Tulong Sulong Namamasko Po Talent Show” on Saturday, December 12, 8:00 – 10:00 PM (EST).

The Christmas-themed virtual talent show will be live-streamed via https://www.facebook.com/TulongSulong2020.

Among the featured artists are Broadway singer and actress Justine Icy Moral, Global Pinoy Idol Don Bronto, TV and movie film actress Baby Alcaraz, and concert tenor Allan Palacios Chan.

Also participating are pop singer Chris Recto, award-winning concert cellist Joshua Ethan Dakanay, award-winning pianist Zandro Zulueta, jazz, and modern dancer Hannah Castillo Villanueva, the mother-daughter singing duo Cristina Sison and Savi Sison Salonga, child stage actor and singer John Lucas Dakanay, ukulelist and singer Charmaine Cabatuando, gospel singer Marydin Llanto, and singer with sign language Maria Rika Ortaliz Coronel.

The Fil-Am Nurse Frontliners will end the program with a finale rendition of “Heal the World.”

“I am very honored and grateful to be part of this very important work to help these needy families,” said Chan, who lives in Woodbridge, Virginia. “This is a wonderful opportunity to lend my voice and somehow help lift up the spirits of our kababayans who are struggling to survive.”

Since October 29, the Philippines has been battered by storms that displaced hundreds of thousands of families. Super Typhoons Ulysses and Rolly caused widespread flooding and landslides, damaging thousands of homes and schools and destroying people’s means of livelihood in Central Luzon, Bicol, and Metro Manila. There are also appeals from 1,000 indigenous people in Tanay Rizal, General Nakar, Quezon who have been badly affected. They are mostly farmers from the Dumagat Tribe who have not yet been reached as their location is inaccessible.

“These families have already been adversely affected by the global pandemic,” says Victoria B. Navarro, Director of the Philippine Humanitarian Coalition (PHC). “Their suffering is now worsened by the storms. Donors have a choice to donate to the typhoon victims and /or those affected by COVID. The ‘Namamasko po’ fundraising will provide Noche Buena meals to those who lost daily meager income from the pandemic. For typhoon victims, PHC is focusing on food and groceries and hygiene materials (bath and laundry soaps), and solar lanterns for those without electric power, as well as funds to rebuild their houses.”

Navarro adds that COVID precautions and other conditions are being observed during aid distributions to ensure volunteers’ safety.

PHC and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) have jointly launched “Tulong Sulong” as a response to fight hunger amidst COVID-19. NGOs & churches—their partner volunteer groundworkers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, have been implementing the relief distribution.

The two-hour program, hosted by Olma Inocentes of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Washington, D.C., will include remarks by Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, former Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., and Mrs. Victoria Cuisia – both founders of PHC.

NaFFAA National Vice-Chair Mariella Fletcher is calling on the Filipino-American community and friends to support the “Tulong Sulong” program with financial donations, volunteer hours, or social media sharing. “Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our kababayans during these most difficult times,” she said. “Just $10.00 will help feed a family in need for a whole week. Let’s spread the word and bless them with our gifts.”

Donations may be sent to www.phc-dc.org. There are four ways to make tax-deductible donations: 1) via credit card/debit card via PAYPAL: www.phc-dc.org; 2) Venmo: @PHC2013; 3) Zelle: Cynthia McGee 301-503-5888; 4) by check to PHC c/o Cynthia McGee, 11717 Karen Dr., Potomac, MD 20854.