WASHINGTON -The benefit concert for the victims of the February 17 mudslide in a Leyte village raised $17,000, according to lead organization Philippine American Foundation for Charities (PAFC).

PAFC Chair Mencie Y. Hairston told Manila Mail, “Including pledges, the concert raised over $17,000 in donations, ticket sales, silent auction proceeds and food concession proceeds.”

PAFC has chosen Gawad Kalinga’s Rebuild a Centennial Village program to be the beneficiary of proceeds from this year’s Philippine Festival activities, such as the Fair, sports fest and Gala Ball. The other beneficiary is the American Diabetes Association.

“Our partnership with Gawad Kalinga stipulates that for every house we fund, they will do a one is to one matching through their partnership with local governments and land donors.” added Ms. Hairston."It’s a good way of leveraging the funds we raise here in the U.S."

PAFC president Nick Tiongson thanked “the performers, volunteers and other community organizations which supported the effort and insured the success of the benefit concert,” calling them heroes. The concert took place on a Saturday night, and performers skipped paying gigs and donated their services. “We have a wonderful community of people,” added Ms. Hairston.

The performers were: singer and composer Rod Garcia, joined by talented Jitter, Rocky, Martin and Matt; Speaks, First Rays, brassy blues singer Angie Pepa, and Agos. Over 400 people came to the April concert despite the pouring rain. The concert took place at the Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia, with students serving as volunteer ushers.

Filipino American communities across the nation gave all-out support to the benefit concert. Under the Partners category were the Barangay Club of Indiana Inc, Bearing Point, Bishop O’Connell High School, Camp Mabuhay Families of Indiana, Connectivcut and Maryland, CHS Alumnae Foundation, Feed the Hungry Inc., Fil-Am Manassas, Fil-Am Ministry of Northern Virginia, InFAMAS, Mabuhay, Inc., Philippine Medical Association, Suntrust Bank, Jonathan and Sarah Ramirez.

Ms. Hairston, the community leader behind Mabuhay School in the 80s, said she enlisted the help of Camp Mabuhay families across the country. The Camp families raised over $1,200 to build one house. Mabuhay, Inc. in Prince George’s County, Maryland raised over $2,400 from its members and helped sell several tickets. Bearing Point sponsored a special “jeans day” fundraiser.