Organizing Committee
PRESS RELEASE
November 27, 2009
Toronto, Canada

Not-to-miss event of the year: Unity Concert: Rebuilding People’s Lives 2009

TORONTO – Only about two weeks to go to Dec. 13 and the community will be treated to a musical extravaganza to raise funds for the typhoon victims in the Philippines. With Canada’s Miss Saigon lead star Ma-Anne Dionisio as guest performer and some of the finest Filipino performers in Toronto, the show promises to be a not-to-miss event of the year.

Various Filipino groups have come together to organize the upcoming “Unity Concert: Rebuilding People’s Lives 2009” to be held on Dec. 13, 2009 at the University of Toronto MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen`s Park, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The venue is beside Royal Ontario Museum and can be accessible by public transit through the TTC at Museum Subway Station. Public parking is also available.
(Please check Unity Concert website for details: http://www.rebuildpeopleslives.info)

This concert will raise funds for the rehabilitation projects for the victims of typhoons Ondoy (Ketsana)and Pepeng (Parma) which hit the Philippines on September 26 and October 3, respectively.These typhoons affected seven million Filipino people, many of them lost their homes, belongings and livelihoods. The death toll reached more than 1,000. The tropical storms also caused millions of
damage to crops and properties, infrastructure including school buildings in different villages and parts of towns and cities in the country.

Until now, thousands of families are still in miserable conditions, many of whom have lost their homes and still live in rehabilitation centres. They still need help in rebuilding their homes and livelihoods. They still need help in rebuilding their lives.

And, helping them is never too late.

This concert project is also an effort to enhance the unity of the Filipino community by enjoining all groups and organizations to participate and help the typhoon victims. Hence, the name Unity Concert.

This three-hour musical extravaganza is comprised of three segments - broadway classics, alternative music, and rock tunes. A varied line-up of Filipino-Canadian talents will grace the event. Guest performer is Ma-Anne Dionisio, best known for her role of Kim in the Canadian production of Miss Saigon.

Other performing artists are Lilac Cana, Emilio Zarris, Karen Tan, Josie de Leon, Vonnie Beltran, Chyrell Samson, Rodney Ronquillo, Jiva Andola, MFFC Youth Performing Arts Group, Levy Abad Jr, Belinda Corpuz, John Flores, Cast of Angels, Melodious Vibes, Philippine Heritage Band, Panyolito, Myk Miranda, Santa Guerilla, Jeanette Ricasio, Cast of Angels, Out of Luck, DaBarkadaz and Early
Warning Signs.

Directors are Randy Muere and Karen Tan with Joyce Corpuz and Teresa Torralba as co-directors.