Marine Parade charity concert raises $20k for Haiyan victims

ESM Goh Chok Tong congratulating Ms Anne Koh, 47, and other performers at the Marine Parade Community Club who took part yesterday in a charity concert for victims of Typhoon Haiyan.
ESM Goh Chok Tong congratulating Ms Anne Koh, 47, and other performers at the Marine Parade Community Club who took part yesterday in a charity concert for victims of Typhoon Haiyan. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH

A charity concert held in Marine Parade yesterday raised $20,000 for victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

The storm, which swept through the Philippines last month, killed more than 5,000 people and destroyed more than a million homes.

To help the country in its rebuilding efforts, the Marine Parade Grassroots Organisations, supported by the Marine Parade Merchants' Association, put on a two-hour show featuring performances by the Filipino community here and several Singaporeans.

Among the performers was Filipino construction supervisor Ong May Rofaldo, 33, from Tacloban City, which was devastated by the typhoon. "The house I grew up in was totally destroyed; there was nothing left," said Mr Rofaldo, who was part of singing group Voiz@Work.

"The money will go a long way in helping victims back home."

The Singaporean performers included Madam Mary Ho, 73, also known as Grandma Mary.

She picked up the guitar at the age of 60 and has since released an album.

The sold-out show was attended by 220 people at the Marine Parade Community Club.

Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and MP for Marine Parade GRC, who was a special guest at the event, expressed his appreciation to the event organisers and performers.

Money raised from the ticket sales and other individual donations will be given to humanitarian agencies Singapore Red Cross and Mercy Relief.

chpoon@sph.com.sg

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