Singer Charice, fashion designer Natori to join June 15 Yolanda concert

Internationally acclaimed singer Charice Pempengco and fashion designer Josie Natori are the latest additions to the list of participants in a June 15 concert in Washington D.C. to raise funds for victims of super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Philippine ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia Jr. reiterated his appeal to Filipino-Americans to buy tickets for the concert, saying this would help Yolanda victims rebuild their lives.

"We are delighted that the concert will be graced by such big talents. I am encouraging everyone to buy their tickets as soon as possible, as the first and second tier tickets are already sold out... By purchasing a ticket, you will be helping rebuild the devastation that occurred in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan," Cuisia said.

Tickets started going on sale April 4 and may be purchased online at www.kennedy-center.org or charge by phone by calling (202) 467-4600.

Pempengco's star rose after she was discovered on YouTube. Natori is a multi-awarded designer and founder of The Natori Company, the embassy said.

Natori, a Filipina-American philanthropist who founded The Natori Company, will be among the concert's special presenters.

Figures from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed that as of April 3, Yolanda left 6,293 people dead, 28,669 injured and 1,061 still missing.

The NDRRMC said Yolanda affected 3,424,593 families or 16,078,181 people in 12,139 barangays in 44 provinces, 591 towns and 57 cities.

It said Yolanda caused P39,821,497,852.17 in damages, including P19,559,379,136.11 in infrastructure and P20,262,118,716.06 in agriculture.

The concert, dubbed "After the Storm: A Benefit Concert for the Philippines," will be held at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. on June 15.

Other talents

Other talents slated to perform include:

Also to be featured are the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra conducted by Luke Frazier and the Broadway Community Chorus founded by Baayork Lee, as well as video messages of hope from celebrities and other personalities from around the world.

The concert, initiated by the Philippine Embassy and the US-Philippines Society and the Philippine Humanitarian Coalition, will be directed by Broadway legend Baayork Lee. It will be produced by Emmy-nominated producer Robert Pullen. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News