Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

Starting with an ensemble performing Man in the Mirror, the Bayanihan show staged by the newly formed Broadway Barkada group of Fil-Am Broadway and off-Broadway talents came together for a thrilling evening of old and new music to raise funds and awareness for the much-needed rehabilitation efforts after the devastation from the recent storms that hit the Philippines.

The event was directed by Billy Bustamante, and produced by Liz Casasola and Brian Jose, with musical direction by Devin Ilaw. It was a privilege for those who attended to watch these and the 16 or so other performers in one memorable number after another help lead the outreach for those affected by the recent calamities.

This was a rare event, organized with the Philippine Consulate in New York, brought in thousands of dollars, according to Consul General Cecile Rebong, to benefit the PinoyME Foundation and Balik Paaralan for those displaced by the typhoons. The funds will be turned over on December 16 to the Ayala Foundation-USA, represented by volunteer Ronna Sieh.

PinoyME (Filipino microfinance) resulted from the vision of President Cory Aquino, and aims at combating poverty through endeavors supported by microfinance credit. For typhoon victims, PinoyME will provide funds to rebuild destroyed or damaged businesses. The League of Corporate Foundations and the National Bookstore Foundation’s Balik Paaralan Project helps students to resume schooling with a ‘re-starter’ supplies kit.

The genesis of the Broadway Barkada group and this fundraiser was in the recent IMELDA: The Musical, whose performers formed the nucleus of this new group. That off-Broadway show ran at the time of the spate of typhoons in the Philippines, starting with Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma) in September and October.

Designer Ardith Ibanez of Barkadako lent her expertise in designing the the flyer and the t-shirt for this event.

Director Bustamante said that even while they were in the midst of IMELDA, and after contacting others in the close-knit Filipino/Fil-Am theater network, as a group they decided this Bayanihan benefit would be a good opportunity to present these Pinoy performers to the Fil-Am community in a meaningful endeavor.

"In directing the show, I knew that the numbers were in great shape," says Bustamante. "But we did not expect the audience to respond as enthusiastically as they did. Getting to perform for a Fil-Am crowd was a special thrill for all of us."