MANILA – November 22, 2013 – Smart Communications, Inc., (Smart) through its subsidiary Smart Broadband, Inc. (Smart Bro), will be mounting a free benefit concert in Davao headlined by two of its endorsers for the benefit of the families affected by the recent typhoon that ravaged most of Central Visayas.
In partnership with TV5’s Alagang Kapatid Foundation, the Smart Bro Live and Loud concert featuring OPM rock icons Barbie Almalbis and Rico Blanco slated for November 23 will be a collection point for donations in cash and in kind where concerned Davaoeños can send their contributions to the ongoing relief efforts, Smart said in a press release..
Individuals and groups who have donations of cash, clothes, blankets, food, personal effects, and medicines, among others, can proceed to Matina Town Square Pavilion to drop off their donations and stay to enjoy the music of Barbie and Rico beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday night.
Concert attendees also have the chance to bid on Smart Bro devices and exclusive rockstar memorabilia owned by the Smart Bro endorsers, including an acoustic guitar and a dress worn by Barbie in one of Barbie’s Cradle’s music videos, a premium wristwatch owned by Rico, and a classy jacket from Raimund Marasigan. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this auction will likewise be remitted to Alagang Kapatid Foundation.
“All of us need to do our part to help in whatever way we can. Instead of the usual concert fanfare, we are inviting all Davaoeños to come together for our brothers and sisters in need and contribute to the ongoing relief efforts for those affected by Typhoon Yolanda,” said Michele Curran, Data and International Services Head at Smart.
Those who are unable attend the concert, such as individuals living outside the Philippines, can still do their part to help in the relief efforts by pledging and donating a small amount with the help of their mobile phones through HelpPH.
Smart will be putting up digital posters in its Facebook page where users can click “Like” to pledge a donation, which they can fulfill by texting HELPPH<space>AMOUNT to 5353 using their Smart, Talk ‘N Text and Sun Cellular phones. Donations can be in amounts of 5, 10, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000 pesos.
HelpPH is a global donation campaign for Typhoon Yolanda aid and relief organized by the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) in cooperation with multi-sector stakeholders like Smart, which provided the donation capability through its mobile money service BayadLoad.
Smart and Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. (DMPI), through its mobile brand Sun Cellular, have also set over 30 Libreng Tawag stations in Antique, Capiz, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Iloilo, Leyte, Palawan and Romblon to provide free call and text services in areas most affected by the recent calamity.
For more information on post-Yolanda network restoration activities, public service advisories, and other ways to donate, please visit smart.com.ph/Yolanda.