Showbiz News

Lea Salonga raises 1M in 1 hour in Facebook Live concert for COVID-19 relief efforts

By Bianca Geli

Tony Award-winning singer Lea Salonga garnered over 1.7 million pesos through a Facebook Live concert for COVID-19 frontliners.

The 1-hour online concert was part of the Bayanihan Musikahan series which was launched earlier this month by music legend Ryan Cayabyab.

Ryan Cayabyab and other local artists launch Facebook live concert to raise funds for those affected by COVID-19

Lea sang for thousands of viewers online, and performed songs such as “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal,” “Sana Maulit Muli” as well as hits from Broadway musicals Once on This Island and Les Miserables.

At one point during the livestream Lea acknowledged that her former onscreen partner and longtime friend Aga Muhlach was watching. “Aga is actually watching this stream. So to “hopia” nation currently watching this, we're actually both here.”

Lea also announced how far the relief effort has come, “Bayanihan Musikahan is delighted to announce that the total amount raised as of 5PM today, the amounts that came from the stream today isn't part of this yet, is P22,373,178.60.”

Ryan Cayabyab's Facebook Live concert raises almost P10 million pesos for COVID-19 relief

She then thanked everyone who donated, “Thank you to all of the individuals who contributed to this fund. However little or however plenty you gave, thank you very, very much. Maraming salamat ho because this is going to help and protect the most vulnerable of us in Metro Manila.”

Lea also thanked all the frontliners for continuously working for everyone's safety. “So to all the frontliners who are watching or those of you who are serving, thank you truly. And I think there's an entire world that thanks you for your service and your kindness and your compassion and for the love and the professionalism and for all of those wonderful things that you share with all of your patients and everyone that you care for,” she said.

Watch:

Ebe Dancel holds online concert for "Bayanihan, Musikahan" for COVID-19 relief efforts