Int’l concert proves ‘bayanihan’ spirit alive in Norway
by Macel Ingles, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau | 11/03/2009 11:31 PM
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OSLO, Norway - Juan de la Cruz may be proud of the “bayanihan” spirit, but the recently concluded ”Bayanihan sa Bayan ni Juan” concert held in Oslo to raise funds for Typhoon Ondoy victims in the Philippines is proof that Pinoys have no exclusive claim to it.
Norwegian rap artists, Hooga Troopers and Pumba and Danny Boy even dancing sensations, CRE-8 and Soulstars are only to happy to share the bayanihan spirit with their Pinoy friends. They joined various international artists who have volunteered their talents to the concert.
Latin American artists, El Axel, Amazone and dance group Cueca also rose to the occasion and showed their solidarity to the Filipino people by performing at the Rockefeller concert hall in Oslo last Sunday.
Asked why he agreed to do the concert for free, Chilean rap artist el Axel said, “Am Chilean but I got a bunch of Filipino friends. I felt like when I’m asked, of course I have to do it, and I am glad to help.”
Half-Pinoy rap artist Yellowkid was also proud to be part of the project.
”Importante suportahan natin ang Pilipinas to the max kahit anong mangyari,” Yellowkid said.
Aside from Yellowkid, Pinoy talents Cora Craven and Likha Scandinavia group also performed.
Pinoy visual artist Rose Borgersen donated 70% of the sale of her paintings to Ondoy victims. She also gave several paintings to be raffled off that night.
”Tayo rito sa abroad na medyo nakakangat ng konti dapat na tulungan ang mga nasa Pilipinas lalo na yung walang mga kamag-anak sa abroad,” she said.
Event organizer Alex Bobadilla was overwhelmed by the response to the project and gushed that their group is still receiving donations from all over Norway even from places and groups that they have never even heard of.
The concert was hosted by Norwegian-Pinoy beauty queen Kirby Ann Basken and TV personality John Modena.
Norwegians have been moved by the devastation wrought by Typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines, prompting the government to donate 20 million kroners. Various Pinoy groups in Iceland, Denmark and Norway were also able to collect almost P3-million of donations for the victims, according to the Philippine embassy here in Oslo.
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