[News] Philippine Artists : P17.5M raised in ‘Jam for Japan’ benefit concert.

[News] Philippine Artists : P17.5M raised in ‘Jam for Japan’ benefit concert.
By Pocholo Concepcion
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 12:39:00 04/02/2011

Filed Under: Music, Disasters (general), Earthquake, Entertainment (general)


MANILA, Philippines—A total of P17.5 million was raised at the “Jam for Japan” benefit concert Friday night at the Ayala Museum in Makati City.

The six-hour fundraiser, whose entire proceeds will be turned over to the Japan Red Cross Society through the Japan Foundation, Manila, to benefit victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that hit the Tohoku region, featured performances by 30 local and international acts who played mainstream and alternative music.

Loud cheers and whistles followed after Bill Luz, director of the Ayala Museum, announced the huge amount that was raised through ticket sales and donations during the show.

The money is expected to increase, with more donations coming in from voluntary contributions from employees of Ayala Corporation and its affiliates.

A simultaneous “Jam for Japan” was held at The Red Lion Pub & Inn, 92 General Luna, Leonard Wood Road in Baguio City.

Still another “Jam” will be mounted next week in San Francisco, California, by Filipino musician Carlos Zialcita, executive director of the San Francisco Pinoy Jazz Fest.

“It’s quite amazing how a simple conversation about what people can do to help Japan could lead to this wonderful gesture of love and concern,” Luz said near the end of the show in Makati.

Luz was referring to a phone call that Sandra Lim-Viray, head of the Philippine International Jazz Foundation, made to Evelyn Juteau, lead singer of the jazz duo Aquarela, who was in Tokyo when the earthquake struck. Juteau suggested holding the benefit show. The ball started rolling when Viray called Luz, who offered the Ayala Museum as concert venue.

“I was just told that a ‘Jam for Japan’ in Indonesia, Geneva and other cities are now being planned,” Luz said.