The Philippines was in the spotlight at the Greek theater Sunday night, June 8 when the Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.ap and his band rallied celebrities to entertain a huge crowd in a fundraiser for post-Haiyan/Yolanda rebuilding efforts. Some 5,000 fans filled the world-famous venue that has starred Neil Diamond, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Ringo Starr, Styx, Smokey Robinson even Harry Belafonte and others from the walk of fame list. The audience was treated not only to a “come-back performance” of three of the BEP — Apl., Will.I.am and Taboo — but also to an outstanding list of Filipino American talents, winners and finalists in top network shows “America’s Got Talent,” the “Voice” and “Sing Off.”
They included headliners Jabbawockeez, currently playing in major Las Vegas hotels, which deftly combined comedy, drama and dance; the Jazmin sisters; The Filharmonic; among others. Well known Fil-Am disc jockeys and hip- hop artists as well as popular Fil-Am standup comedians shared the stage: Comedy Central’s Jo Koy and Improv’s Joey Guila, originally from San Francisco.
KTLA news anchor Cher Calvin, daughter of famous Philippine actor Roger Calvin, and actress Nia Peeples (“Fame,” “The Young and the Restless”) introduced the guests.
LA’s popular singer-composer AJ Rafael and sensational 13-year-old Miguel Antonio were top-billed at the concert of concerts, which started at 7 p.m. and hesitated to end at past 11 (after Will.I.Am said theater would“fine” them for going over).
BEP’s all time favorite “I Gotta Feeling” brought the house down, with grandparents, parents and their kids jumping up and down to the music. “It was electrifying!” said Tina Ocampo, a writer covering the event for her station. Ted Benito said he expects to generate proceeds of up to six figures, which are earmarked for the relief efforts for the Haiyan victims in Tacloban. Sunday night’s concert kicked off ADAFI’s initiatives to raise approximately $650,000 in part through a series of concerts featuring Apl.de.ap and other artists in the next two years.
Apl.de.ap whose real name is Allan Pineda Lindo told INQUIRER. net that the catastrophe caused by typhoon Haiyan has had an emotional impact on him. Foundation executive Benito said Apl. de.ap will lead celebrities on Sunday, June 15 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in collaboration with the U.S. Philippine Society in a continuing series fundraisers for Rebuild Philippines! Among the performers will be Lea Salonga, Lou Diamond Phillips, Charice Pempengco and tenor Rodel Rozelle.
“Apl. motivates us to keep on going with this series of benefits; in these circumstances when Apl. says jump; we say how high? That’s the problem, but a happy problem,” Benito smiled.