The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
While severe tropical storm Kristine, international name Trami, has left many regions in the country devastated, celebs from all persuasions pour their benevolent hearts out, reaching out to the hapless victims, another typhoon, this time, Leon, visited us and unleashed as well a flurry of gusty winds and rains, milder, though, in velocity and effects than the preceding cyclone.
Still the generosity of stars oozes freely twice over.
Superstar Nora Aunor continues her relief operations right in the middle of Xavierville in Quezon City where she builds a command center for her altruistic efforts.
Several sacks of rice, boxes of canned goods and instant noodles, barrage of first aid and home necessities including clothes, were packed in a van that is constantly parked in front of her residence although it occasionally roams around.
Meanwhile, in one corner of her abode, Nora herself is busy packing and repacking items to be distributed to her typhoon ravaged Bicol Region.
It’s a good thing Aunor has on her side buddy and confidante John Rendez volunteers to go to Bicol to personally deliver the relief goods.
In his social media spaces, John noted: “I will be going to Bicol personally to distribute clothes, relief goods and money to the people of Camarines Sur in our designated regions of Iriga, Baao, Bato and I will keep you all updated on Facebook for transparency and for humanitarian purposes. Thank you to all who contributed and supported our advocacy. Salamat po (Thank you so much).”
Asia’s Sentimental Songstress and Director of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Imelda Papin has been travelling from one region to the next affected by super typhoon Kristine and Leon to oversee the relief actions of her office and personal initiatives.
“Sa pagbangon mula sa pinsalang dulot ng bagyong Kristine, isama natin sila sa ating mga panalangin at magbigay ng tulong at suporta sa abot ng ating makakaya. Sa pagkakaisa, magtatagumpay tayo (To rise from the rubbles resulted by the rampaging of typhoon Kristine, let us include its victims in our prayers and support them to the best of our ability. We will triumph in unity),” noted Imelda in her campaign drive.
Papin’s IP Foundation is spearheading her relief efforts to the miserable casualties of Kristine.
Like Nora, Imelda is also personally giving and preparing her relief drive to her native province of Cam Sur.
Giant telecommunications ABS-CBN, GMA Network, TV5, UNTV, net25 and other radio and TV broadcasts have their studio relief operations 24/7.
As we write, millions of pesos have been raised and collected by these major networks to facilitate altruistic spirit.
Still many television, film, theater and multimedia stars on telethon are coursing their donations to Angat Buhay Foundation of former vice-president Leni Robredo.
Young actor Donny Pangilinan, couple Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli gave their boxes of relief items to Angat Buhay.
Donny personally carried the goods to Robredo’s support system in Quezon City to be distributed to the many communities and residents hard hit by Kristine and Leon.
Likewise, young actress Kim Chiu, comic and singer Ogie Alcasid, Lassy and MC are coordinating with Angat Buhay which received the three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) they won as a team for the contest “Magpasikat 2024” of ABS-CBN noontime show “It’s Showtime” aired over GMA Network.
Other stars who lent and still lend a hand to “Kristine” and “Leon” victims are Vina Morales, Maris Racal, Anne Curtis, Heart Evangelista, Angelica Jones, Bini headed by Joanna Robles, SB19 etc.
They are seeking donations to save lives crippled by typhoons.
***
There is only one adjective to best describe the concert “Timeless Tribu” held at the Teatrino in Promenade Greenhills by the singing quintet of Sweet Samaniego-Buchanan, Only Torres, Nazer Salcedo, Terence Guillermo and Margarita Roco—superb.
No one can topple down the performance of these music icons collectively called Tribu, a revival of the veteran Tribung Pinoy organized by the late art patron and banker Danny Dolor.
These singers who are attuned to classical music are able to withstand the challenges of dishing out a wide range of genres from the Italian classics like “O Sole Mio,” “Con ti partiro,” “Funiculi, Funicula,” Giacomo Puccini’s classics as “Turandot,” “Tosca” etc. to Filipino traditional music as kundiman, balitaw, danza, Lucio San Pedro’s “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan,” Levi Celerio’s “Ang Pipit” to Nonoy Gallardo’s “Saranggola ni Pepe” to Broadway hits etc.
Music icon and stalwart of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) Celeste Legaspi was in the audience and she was obviously amazed by Tribu’s interpretation of her contemporary songs.
At the end of the show, Tribu got a standing ovation enough to tingle one’s spine.