Sold out crowd in Sining Para sa Bayan

Fundraising event is for the benefit of Sendong victims

Hundreds of people are expected to crowd the Noypitz Bar and Restaurant in Glendale this Saturday night, January 21, when top celebrities led by Florante, Becca Godinez, Louie Reyes, Tateng Katinding and many others perform live in the Sining Para sa Bayan concert and art auction to benefit the members of the press who became victims of typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao.
Organizers of the event led by Nimfa U. Rueda, Myrna Aquitania, Lydia Solis and event director Ms. Lou Sabas said tickets were selling like hotcakes until Friday while some inquired if they can still pay at the door. The two-part Sining Para sa Bayan will begin with an art and photo auction at 4 p.m. and will continue with the concert at 7 p.m.
Lou said that as much as they want to accommodate everyone, especially those who want to come at the last minute, seats will be provided to those who have already paid their tickets. "I hope we can accommodate everyone," Lou said, "but the venue can only accept so much and it would be unfortunate if we have turn away those who would come and pay at the door."
As of Thursday evening, more than two hundred tickets were distributed and may have already been sold, according to Lydia. As of presstime, she said more tickets were being paid. Meantime, more sponsors had wanted to join the event, which will entitle them to a maximum of four tickets depending on the level of their sponsorship, Myrna said.
This early, Nimfa expressed her utmost gratitude to all the sponsors for their generosity, including those who provided gifts for raffle at the event. She also thanked those who purchased their tickets and vowed to provide non-stop entertainment with at least 20 performers booked to perform, albeit pro bono, Saturday night .
Aside from those mentioned above, the list of performers for the Sining Para sa Bayan event includes tenor Jonathan Badon, saxophonist Ner De Leon, Alan del Rosario, Alex Arrieta, Annie Nepomuceno, April Velasco, Becca Godinez, Bob Shroder, Florante, Janine Bernardo, Jo Awayan, Joni Villamil, Jonathan Badon, Lianna Gutierez, Malou Toler, Miguel Vera, Mon Concepcion, Ner de Leon, Sam Santiago,Tateng Katindig and Vicoy Bagongsigaw. Hosts for the evening will be Bernardo Bernardo and Janelle So, the producer of host of Kababana LA.
Organized by the members of Filipino-American media in Los Angeles, the event will also feature visual artist Jess Espa±ola, who won an Emmy Award for his role as assistant director in the cartoon series The Simpsons.
Other artists who have committed to participate included renowned painters Rafael Maniago, Rodolfo Samonte, Bienvenido Sibug, Magoo Valencia, Glenn Bautista, Vics Magsaysay, Mat Relox and the multi-awarded Glenn A. Bautista, who despite being based in Houston, has committed to send some of his works to be displayed and auctioned off at the event.
Fil-Am media members who are expected to perform also include Rhony Laigo, Balita Media executive editor, and photographer/violinist Andy Tecson, founder of the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra
The person behind Sining Para sa Bayan, Nimfa U. Rueda, the U.S.-based correspondent of Philippine Daily Inquirer, said proceeds from the double event will be sent directly to the victims who are members of the press thru the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).
There are more than 30 journalists together with their families who suffered heavy losses as a result of the typhoon. Last month's typhoon killed at least 1,200 people mostly in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City, who were either buried by mudslides or swept away by flashfloods into the sea. The NUJP said "hundreds have died and many more have been left homeless and dispossessed due to the calamity that struck the cities of Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and Dumaguete and other areas.
Tickets are priced at $25 each (admission only). Noypitz Bar & Restaurant is located at 933 N Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA 91202. For tickets, please email editor@balita.com or send him a message on his facebook page.