A Concert of Hope
Auckland community groups and talented locals are joining forces to put on a fundraising concert for the Philippines on
29 November.
Filipianz spokesperson Maria Siayngco says the concert is a way for the wider Auckland community, including the local
Filipino community, to come together and support the Philippines in the wake of the Typhoon Haiyan tragedy.
“We have all heard of the terrible and deadly Typhoon Haiyan that has struck the Philippines. It has been declared as
the strongest typhoon in the world, ever recorded. It was initially feared that approximately 10,000 Filipinos had
perished in the tragedy in Tacloban, Leyte and other nearby regions. Those who survived have lost families and shelters
and now have little or no food and are subject to disease.
“Nearly a million people are displaced – In short they need help,” Maria says. The concert, to be held at SKYCITY
Theatre, is a variety performance concert with acts from around Auckland offering their services to raise money for this
very worthy cause.
The headline act for the concert is one of New Zealand’s finest entertainers, Tina Cross. Tina’s career spans four
decades, from winning the 1979 Pacific Song Contest, to theatre performances with many of the world’s biggest names, and
with her own group The LadyKillers.
Tina says she jumped at the chance to be a part of the concert. ''If the gift of song can make a difference by helping
to generate funds for the people of the Philippines, then it is truly my privilege to be involved,” she says.
Other performances will include cast members from the 2011 Auckland season of Miss Saigon including John Hellyer, James
Calcinai and Jane Horder.
North Shore Music Theatre is particularly honoured to be assisting produce this concert, says president Mark Betty. “We
have a very fond relationship with the Filipino cast from Miss Saigon, many of whom have families directly affected by
the tragic typhoon,” he says.
SKYCITY Theatre has donated the use of the theatre and resources to the event. iTICKET are providing ticketing at no
cost to the event, and will also donate back the booking fees. Organisers wish to express their gratitude to these two
businesses for their very generous role in making the event happen.
All funds raised through the concert will be passed onto to the NZ Red Cross to ensure the money makes its way to where
it is needed.
ENDS.