A concert to benefit the victims of Typhoon Ondoy through Gawad Kalinga will be held on December 5, 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia Grounds. Dubbed “Pilipino Kaya Natin Ito,” the concert gathers Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit (OPM) artists together to raise funds for the victims of the recent typhoons.
The idea for a benefit concert began with talent manager Girlie Rodis who called up singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid to re-organize OPM artists and reach out to the typhoon victims through a fundraising event.

“Now is the best time to get the artists together because there is a cause,” shared Tita Girlie.

“Ondoy was destroying houses and GK is about building houses. GK is a direct answer to Ondoy,” she said as to why they chose Gawad Kalinga as the concert’s beneficiary.

Tita Girlie’s idea and the aftermath of the storm inspired Ogie to write a song entitled “Kaya Natin ‘To” which carries a message of hope that seeks to uplift the spirit of the typhoon victims, by encouraging them through the power of music.

“Kaya natin ito, sama-sama tayo. Ating kapwa’y tulungan, ‘wag nating pabayaan. ‘Di tayo susuko, tayo ay Pilipino,” the chorus says. (We can do it, let us come together. Let us help our neighbor, let us not leave them. We will no give up, we are Filipino.)

The single was recorded at Jay-R’s home studio graced by over 70 OPM artists who lent their voices to the cause including Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Christian Bautista, Jose Mari Chan, Sarah Geronimo, Charice Pempengco among many others. Those who were in the United States recorded on their computers and sent it to Ogie, including Lea Salonga, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, and Kuh Ledesma.

The song that took Ogie only five minutes to write and united the OPM artists follows the inspiration of “We are the World” production in the 1980′s which benefitted Africa. This time, Pilipino artists have come together to reach out to their fellow Filipinos through the gift of music.

“And everybody, all the artists, talagang each time I hear their voices, naiiyak ako. Kasi, alam ko na marami silang matutulungan,” related Ogie in an interview with Philippine Entertainment Portal. (Each time I hear their voices, I get tearful. Because I know that they will be helping a lot of people.)

Proceeds of the concert will go to GK to help rebuild the lives of typhoon victims through the rehabilitation of affected communities and the opening up of new GK villages to transfer poor people away from danger zone areas.

“Pilipino Kaya Natin Ito” will be directed by Rowell Santiago and will start at 7 pm. Mark your calendars and see you there!

[via gk1world]

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