We were all very honored and happy that ‘Independencia’ won not just one but two prizes— Grand Prize in the Southeast Asian Competition

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20091004-228264/Lea-Salonga-sings-for-Ondoy-victims

Only in Hollywood
Lea Salonga sings for ‘Ondoy’ victims
By Ruben V. Nepales
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:34:00 10/04/2009

Filed Under: Celebrities, Ondoy, Flood
Most Read
LOS ANGELES—“Ondoy” may have wrought terrible devastation to our country but in its wake, something beautiful and profound arose: the unprecedented support Filipinos all over the world have shown to help the flood victims and relief efforts in every way possible.

Also thanks to the Internet and texting technology, Pinoys galvanized together in an instant fashion. The outpouring of “Bayanihan” spirit, 21st century style, is very moving.

Take the case of Lea Salonga’s special fund-raising performance for the tropical storm victims on Monday, Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m. at The Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall located at 556 Fifth Avenue in New York City. Lea, her friend Victor Lirio, the good folks of the Ayala Foundation USA and the Philippine Consulate General were able to organize the event in less than 24 hours!

We’ll let Victor, Diverse City Theater Company artistic director, tell the story. Here is his e-mail account:

Heartbreaking news

“The event was planned just last night (Wednesday evening, Sept. 30). Earlier yesterday, I was in communication via e-mail with Deputy Consul General Millie Thomeczek, expressing my desire to do something for the victims. I had been consumed by all the news about the calamity, and the photographs online were simply heartbreaking.

“I knew Lea was scheduled to be in town for concert engagements in upstate New York. But I also knew that she had very limited time due to work. At 5:15 p.m. yesterday, I was in a meeting with Bob Perlstein, Lea’s legal counsel and who is helping me with a deal memo for another project. Bob told me he spoke to Lea who expressed the same desire to do something for the storm victims. So while I was in Bob’s office, I called Lea and left a message on her voicemail. I found out later that she was already on an LA-bound flight.

“At around 8:30 p.m. last night, Lea called me. She had just landed in LA. We talked about the victims of the storm and the insufficient help and relief available to them. She said, ‘We definitely have to do something, no matter how small.’ She was originally scheduled to leave earlier, but she changed her schedule so she can do a benefit event. So we agreed on a date and logistical things.

“At 10:47 p.m. last night when I got home, I e-mailed Consul General Cecil Rebong, Millie, Ayala Foundation (AF) USA president Vicky Garchitorena, secretary (New York Team) Marilyn Abalos and officer Ronna Sieh. By 11:33 p.m., I had received an e-mail from Vicky confirming her support. By 11:48 p.m., I was communicating with Ronna regarding logistical arrangements. A few minutes after midnight, I had almost simultaneous responses expressing support from Millie, Marilyn Abalos and Consul General Cecil Rebong. All Millie needed to do was to confirm the Kalayaan Hall’s availability, which she did at 10:30 a.m. the following day. By 2:40 p.m., we had sent out the announcement.”

In a joint statement, Victor and Lea revealed details of the special performance: “There are limited seats. To RSVP, e-mail rsvp@diversecitytheater.org. Donation: $50 general admission; VIP Donation: $150+ which includes a pre-show cocktail reception. All proceeds to benefit the typhoon relief fund.

“If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation, visit http://www.af-usa.org. Go to ‘Donate Now’ and select ‘AF-USA Typhoon Relief Fund.’ For check donations, make checks payable to Ayala Foundation USA and mail them to 255 Shoreline Drive, Suite 428, Redwood City, CA 94065. Please put ‘flood victims’ on the memo portion of your check. For questions, please e-mail ronna.sieh@gmail.com.”

Bangkok win

Arleen Cuevas, back home from Thailand where “Independencia,” which she produced and Raya Martin directed, won two prizes, e-mailed us her thoughts: “We were all very honored and happy that ‘Independencia’ won not just one but two prizes— Grand Prize in the Southeast Asian Competition and the Netpac Jury award, and also happy that Sherad Anthony Sanchez’s ‘Imburnal’ won Special Mention as well. We were glad that there was a strong Filipino presence in the festival this year, with three Filipino films in competition. I also co-produced the other Filipino entry, ‘Aurora,’ directed by Adolfo Alix Jr. which was also in competition. And Brillante Mendoza was one of the jurors in the Main Competition...

“Raya is in New York for the New York Film Festival,” she disclosed. “Independencia” is an official entry in that ongoing festival. “I talked to Raya who wished he was in Bangkok with us.

“There were no speeches during the awarding ceremony,” Arleen said. “It was a straightforward event with Princess Ubolratana of Thailand giving out the awards...”

Before flying to Bangkok, she attended the Vladivostok International Film Festival where “Independencia” was in competition.

Arleen is glad to be back home. “Yes, we were all affected by Ondoy,” she disclosed. “I live in Manila (very near España, UST area) and my area gets flooded all the time. It was good our immediate families and friends were safe.”

E-mail the columnist at rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com and read his blog, “The Nepales Report,” on http://blogs.inquirer.net/nepalesreport.