GOVPH

18 March 2014 - Officials of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles joined the fundraising concert to benefit the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) on March 15 at Incarnation Community Center Gym, Glendale, California.
 

The concert was organized by the Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown, in collaboration with APO GLA and UP APO Foundation. The concert featured the REO Brothers, a Taclobanon cover band composed of brothers and typhoon survivors Raymart, RJ, Ralph and Reno.

In her opening remarks, Acting Head of Post and Deputy Consul General Imelda M. Panolong highlighted the resilience of the Filipino people amid tragedies and calamities as embodied by the REO brothers.  With their guitars, a few cookies and a business card of an acquaintance in hand, they started their musical journey on the road to recovery not only for themselves but also for their fellow Taclobanons. This journey brought them all the way to the United States with performances at the Madison Square Garden in New York and in Los Angeles.

Glendale Mayor Dave Weaver and Atty. Alma Luna from the Office of Senator Leland Yee also graced the occasion and presented certificates of commendation to the REO brothers, Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown, APO GLA and UP APO Foundation.  The event Chairperson, Mr. Ben Aranda, and Rotary Club President Leo Pandac informed the audience that the benefit concert and their fundraising activities are in line with Rotary International's 2013-2014 theme of "Engage Rotary, Change Life."  They even recently held a successful martial arts benefit event raising $1,500 to build homes in Bantayan Island with the help of The Peace Project of Ms. Lisa Schultz.  APO GLA and UP APO Foundation also found this recent collaboration with the Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown as a success and hopefully a start of future collaborations.

The REO Brothers had an amazing standing room concert covering songs from the Beatles, Beach Boys, Chicago, and many more. The REO Brothers likewise performed Original Pilipino Music of the VST and Company. They had numerous standing ovations and requests for encore.  Their manager, Mr. Tom Banguis Jr., noted that the REO Brothers are truly a testament as to how Filipinos rise above challenges with courage, resiliency and determination. END