“Remember, Rebuild, and Sustain: Walang Iwanan,” a typhoon relief benefit concert organized by Scripps College faculty and students, raised more than $3,200 February 2 as it celebrated the beauty and resilience of Filipino culture.
“Both of my parents came from that country,” says Isabella Ramos ’17, a participant whose father also helped organize the event. “I sometimes feel disconnected from the Philippines since I was born and raised here, but I care deeply for my family members who live in Manila. Luckily, none them were severely impacted by typhoon Haiyan, but I am aware that much of the Philippines is still in terrible condition.”
Ramos sang “Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal,” a Filipino song whose title translates to “How Much I Love You.” “It felt wonderful to support my other home and to do that alongside my Scripps classmates, faculty, and community members through music,” she says.
Professor of Music Hao Huang produced the concert and was honored by state senator Leland Yee, who presented him with a Certificate of Recognition from the California Senate for his effort in orchestrating the benefit. Assistant Professor Anne Harley was the co-producer who managed the entire mainstage benefit concert, that involved several outside Filipino American music ensembles. Scripps College students Anna Walton, Laura Kent and Katherine Arenella managed and produced the two pre-concert “Musicking that Matters” performance events in Boone Recital Hall and Pattison Courtyard. In addition, Princess Eleonora of Moldova attended a pre-concert reception and stayed for the performances. Nine members of the Filipino American press were on hand to interview attendees and performers and snap shots of all activities.
Most performances were held in Garrison Theater of the Scripps College Performing Arts Center. Event proceeds have been donated to Gawad Kalinga, a Filipino philanthropic organization dedicated to rebuilding communities. Leonard Mercado, of Gawad Kalinga, thanked professor Huang, concert attendees, and the Scripps community for their support.
“I was so moved to see the tremendous support shown for the Typhoon Haiyan victims,” Mercado says, “and the sincere effort to help our less fortunate brothers and sisters on the other side of the world, devastated by the strongest typhoon ever recorded in human history.”
