BIG NETWORKS BRING BIG COVID-19 RELIEF
THE country’s biggest networks proved this week that the famed bayanihan spirit is alive and well in the Philippines amid the global pandemic that has brought most parts of the world to a standstill. Since each mounting special digital fundraising raising programs on March 22 — GMA Network’s
“Buong Puso Para Sa Pilipinas” from noon to 2:30 p.m. and ABSCBN’s “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” from 7 p.m. onwards — donations in the hundreds of millions, both in cash and kind, have since poured in from Filipinos across the country and around the world for distribution to local government units seeing to the informal sector’s basic necessities throughout the Luzon-wide quarantine against Covid-19.
Both aired live on their free-TV channels and across their social media pages, the programs were described as “no-contact” online shows with the networks’ celebrities participating with songs and messages real-time via video calls from their respective homes.
All out love
In place of GMA’s Sunday noontime variety show “All Out Sundays,” Buong Puso Para Sa Pilipinas had mainstays Alden Richards, Julie Anne San Jose, Kyline Alcantara, Glaiza de Castro, Rita Daniela, Ken Chan and Paolo Contis as hosts of the fundraiser.
Singers San Jose and de Castro were among many performers who offered songs from their living rooms, with the former playing the piano for her rendition of Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel,” and the latter de Castro playing Dua Lipa’s “Physical” on her guitar as she sang the cover.
Other Kapuso artists featured in the show were Pops Fernandez, Camille Prats, Carla Abellana, Tom Rodriguez and Rhian Ramos.
The grand finale went live from the home of Kapuso King and Queen Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes where the couple allowed their youngest, 11-monthold Ziggy to make an appearance.
As of press time, The Manila Times Entertainment is still waiting for GMA Network’s communications group to relay the official total of funds raised from Buong Puso Para Sa Pilipinas.
At home together
Come prime time, ABS-CBN started its fund-raising drive, Pantawid ng Pag-ibig: At-Home Together Concert, which had news personalities Alvin Elchico and Zen Hernandez hosting live from the network studios, and introducing the Kapamilya stars via video call from their homes.
Over 100 celebrities offered song numbers — the likes of Vice Ganda and “It’s Showtime” cohosts Vhong Navarro and Jhong Hilario with full choreography — and words of encouragement for viewers held up in their homes like themselves to stay put for their safety and if they can, donate whatever they can to help less fortunate Filipinos during this crisis.
Touching hearts across the nation and world were performances from Concert King Martin Nievera and Total Performer Gary Valenciano; husband-and-wife Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez who sang “Araw-Gabi”; Toni Gonzaga with inspirational song “Still” by Hillsong Worship; Lea Salonga with “Somewhere Over The Rainbow;” Sharon Cuneta’s cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now;” and Sarah Geronimo’s cover of Whitney Houston mega hit “Greatest Love Of All,” among many others. Geronimo also granted her first duet with new husband Matteo Guidicelli as they sang “You Are The Reason.”
More messages came from network jewels Angel Locsin, Bea Alonzo, Nadine Lustre, Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, Maymay Entra and Edward Barber, and Coco Martin just to name a few. Many if not all also thanked the frontliners who are saving lives in hospitals and utility workers serving their communities for their bravery and sacrifice.
The grand finale featured the very timely Michael Jackson classic “Heal The World” sung by Gary Valenciano, Zsa sa Padilla, Moira de la Torre, Martin Nievera and Darren Espanto.
“Pantawid ng Pag-ibig: At-Home Together Concert” is part of ABSCBN’s wider campaign to raise funds for Filipinos affected by the Luzon-wide lockdown. With network owners, the Lopez family, kickstarting donations with a P100-million pledge, the end of the At-Home Together concert gathered a staggering total of P236,997,391, with more funds coming in the rest of the week.