The Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that two charity events were held in Brunei in February for the benefit of the victims of Typhoon Sendong (Tropical Storm Washi).

One was a Charity Golf Tournament held from 25-26 February 2012 at the Jerudong Golf and Country Club wherein members of the diplomatic corps, Brunei government officials and other sponsors participated.

In his speech before fellow golf enthusiasts, H.E. Ambassador Nestor Z. Ochoa noted that the charity golf tournament would go a long way in helping alleviate the plight of some 441,000 Filipinos displaced by the disaster who are now sheltered in evacuation centers. He also noted that Typhoon Sendong caused the death of some 1,200 persons and injuries to some 6,000 persons.

Ambassador Ochoa emphasized that during times of calamities, the Filipino spirit of bayanihan comes to fore.

Bayanihan, which is the old Filipino tradition of community members volunteering to help a family move to a new place by literally carrying the family’s house to its new location, is “manifested in community efforts such as these where people are selflessly willing to help others, especially those who cannot help themselves,” Ambassador Ochoa concluded.

The other event was a Charity Dinner Concert featuring Filipino recording artist and crooner Richard Poon, held at the Goldstone Ballroom, The Centerpoint Hotel on 26 February 2012.

The dinner concert was sold-out as Filipinos and Bruneians alike flocked to see Richard Poon belt out a number of the big band standards such as “Please Release Me” (Engelbert Humperdink), “Moon River” (Andy Williams), and “The Way You Look Tonight” (Lettermen).

For his countrymen, Richard Poon sang a medley of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) such as “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” (Sharon Cuneta), “Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig” (Imelda Papin), “Tukso” (Eva Eugenio).

Richard Poon also sang “Beautiful Girl” (Jose Mari Chan) in Mandarin.

A photo exhibit of the areas and persons affected by Typhoon Sendong was also put on display at the lobby of the Goldstone Ballroom.

Members of the diplomatic corps, Brunei government officials, members of the Filipino Community, and private individuals rallied support for the typhoon victims by attending the said events.

The Charity Golf Tournament and Dinner Concert were jointly organized by Prismworks Event Management, Pinoy Golfers Around (PIGA) and the Filipino Association in Brunei Darussalam (FAB) as part of the initiative, “Aid Mindanao: A Call for Help.”

Proceeds of these two charity events are expected to be turned over to the Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam for onward remittance to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and/or Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD).

Mr. Jeffry Cadayong, Operations Head of Prismworks Events Management, said his Filipino team will be organizing other charity events in Brunei Darussalam in support of efforts to provide assistance to the typhoon victims. END