27 November 2013 - The Voice of France 2013 semi-finalist and awarded French singer/composer Dominique Magloire, accompanied by acclaimed French organist Mathias Lecomte, performed at a benefit concert for those affected by the Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) at the St. Bernadette of Auteuil Chapel on November 25.
The concert, organized by the Cameleon Association, a French NGO that helps victims of sexually abused children and teenagers in Region VI of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Paris, was also organized to be in line with the celebration of the Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Present in the concert were Philippine Ambassador to France Cristina G. Ortega and Madame Brigitte Ayrault, wife of French Prime Minister Jean Marc Ayrault. Ms. Laurence Ligier, Cameleon Founder and President, in her opening remarks, informed everyone that for the past six years, Cameleon has provided educational, social, psychological and mental support to over 420 children who have been victims of sexual abuse and violence and that the proceeds from this concert will go towards the reconstruction of the buildings and infrastructure where Cameleon children stay that were damaged by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Ambassador Ortega, for her part, praised the Cameleon Association for the benevolent support they have been extending to the Filipino people. The Ambassador also informed everyone of the untiring efforts of both the Philippine Government and the international community in ensuring that relief and humanitarian efforts in the affected areas proceed efficiently. She expressed gratitude to everyone who has been supporting the Philippines in these testing times. The Ambassador also said that “Filipinos are resilient people. They are a people of faith and hope and they will rise up and move on to rebuild and reconstruct the affected areas. With the help of friends in France and the international community, and of God, the Filipino people will be successful.”
Madame Ayrault thanked the Cameleon Association for their untiring efforts in providing comfort to those who have been victims of abuse. She also praised the Philippines for the great strides it has been making in terms of economy and development and that she remains optimistic that this tragic event will not dampen the Filipino’s resilience and faith in recovering. Madame Ayrault also said that the people of France stand in solidarity with the Philippines as the country continues to rebuild places affected by the typhoon.
She also invited everyone to participate in the upcoming “Museum Day of Solidarity” which will be on December 01, or the first Sunday of the month when entrance to majority of museums in France is free to the public. On this day, volunteers from the Red Cross and the Filipino community will be stationed at various museums to collect volunteer donations from museum patrons.
Dominique Magloire and Mathias Lecomte astounded the audience with masterful renditions of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s timeless classics such as Laudate Dominum, Exultate Jubilate, Andante en fa Majeur KV, Agnus Dei and Et incarnates est. Both Ms. Magloire and Mr. Lecomte expressed solidarity for the people of the Philippines. Ms. Magloire also for her part, recognized the importance of gender equality in society and expressed hope that all forms of discrimination against women be eliminated entirely. END
