Tulong Na, Tabang Na, Tayo Na - An All-Star Benefit Concert

A week back, a concert was organized by ABS-CBN network for the benefit of typhoon Yolanda's (Haiyan) victims in Visayas. I saw the advertisement about this concert last Thursday night only; I urged my wife to watch the concert with our daughter. The following day I drove to SM North Ticketnet to purchase 3 Upper Box A tickets. Patron and Upper Box tickets are sold out already.

Since we wanted to have the best seat at Upper Box A we fell in line at Green Gate as early as 3:30 PM even though the gate would open at 6 PM. The wife and I were excited because it was our first time to watch a concert at Smart Araneta in Cubao. Our daughter would follow later due to earlier commitments. We took our snack cum dinner while in queue and sitting on the floor.



The gate opened at almost 6 PM; everybody raced to their respective entrances and collected the complimentary free-size Tabang Na T-Shirt. We were asked to wear the T-Shirt before entering the venue.

The concert started at 8 PM. DJ's Papi Charlz and Eva Ronda from Radio Station 101.9 MOR enlivened the crowd for 30 minutes. At exactly 8:30 PM, the crowd roared upon seeing some of their favorite stars like Gary V, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Toni Gonzaga to name a few entered the stage.

Great vocalists such as Roel manlangit, Jovit Baldivino, Renz Verano and Rico J gave their usual impressive high-pitched numbers as well while Pinoy international stars such as Charice and Leah Salonga also performed to the delight of the crowd. A lively dance presentation by G-Force which includes Rayver Cruz and John Prats left the audience in awe.

Among all the performers, it was the 6 Cycle Mind that wowed the crowd with their adrenaline packed rendition of Sandalan. Everybody stood-up and endless cheers from the crowd pushed the group to perform up to their limit. It was my first time to see also my daughter and her mom dancing and waiving their arms up in the air.

before the show

a blissful feeling of unity and support

The rendition of Hawak Kamay was truly euphoric especially when they asked the audience to turn on the backlight of their cellphone. It seemed the heavenly stars were one with us in showing support to the victims of typhoon Yolanda.

Other groups also participated such as UP Singing Ambassadors, Mandaluyong Children's Choir, El Gamma Penumbra and inspirational singer Jamie Rivera.

One of the performers that received great feedback from the crowd if I may say so was Mitoy, the recent winner of The Voice of the Philippine. He sang Don't Stop Believing by The Journey that made the Big Bosses of ABS-CBN to stand-up and dance. Actually I stood-up too and clapped my hands unmindful of curious eyes of my daughter and wife, lol. I love that song; it was another perfect performance by Mitoy.

Martin Nievera and Gary V performed before the show's finale.

The benefit concert was indeed successful. The sold-out and jampacked Smart Araneta continuously reverberated with cheers while the atmosphere was filled with emotion and feeling of unity and support for our "kabayans" in Visayas.

I can proudly say that this event is truly unforgettable not only for me but also for my wife and daughter since it was our first time to watch a concert at that place while helping our calamity stricken fellow Filipinos in our own little way at the same time.

Make no mistake about it, this all-star benefit concert would never be forgotten by all of us who have watched it.

The show ended at 11:30 PM.