Event 2 - Typhoon Relief Benefit Show Hosted by the Pilipina/o Community of UCLA

(Figure 1 Me at the benefit show with 
the interactive Philippines Map)

For my second event, I attended the Typhoon Relief Benefit Show on November 22^nd in the Covel Grand Horizon room. The benefit was hosted by the Pilipina/o Community of UCLA and intended to raise awareness and money for Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda that hit the Philippines on November 8, 2013.  

According to the flyer promoting the benefit, Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda was “the largest typhoon to hit the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia with unprecedented force, leaving many without food and shelter, and killing over 3,500 people.” In order to bring relief to the typhoon victims, the Pilipina/o Community of UCLA offered several ways one could help. Although monetary donations were the most highly recommended because donations could provide the fastest and most direct relief, the Pilipina/o Community of UCLA also suggested that just attending their benefit show, accepting their flyers on Bruin Walk, or donating clothes, blankets and shoes could greatly help their cause.

(Figure 2 A Picture from the
beginning slide show showing
the damage of the typhoon.)

Walking into the benefit show, I was immediately impressed by the professional set up and organized seating. From start to finish, this show kept me thoroughly interested in their cause. Even before the show started, pictures of the typhoon disaster where projected up to educate everyone who attended.

Although the performances helped lighten the mood, they were still effective in educating me and still managed to shed light on the serious matter at hand. Each act was meant to show case the Philippian culture and bring attention to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan/ Yolanda.

(Figure 3 The Hawaii Club
Performance.)

Throughout the show I saw how art and technology came together to help bring relief to the Philippines.  Each act was artistically different and several even utilized technology to showcase their talents. The acts ranged from performances from the Hawaii Club of UCLA to singing songs dedicated to the victims to a Philippian Dance known as Tinikling. At the back of the room there was even an interactive map of the Philippines where people could place a sticker of where their families live.

(Figure 4 An act dedicating his
song the Philippines.)

This benefit was truly not what I expected. I was surprised at how educational and well put together everything was. The hard work and dedication of the Pilipina/o Community of UCLA was astonishing and inspiring. 

Works Cited

Figure 1 .Cuevas, Gabriela. Leigh Sanders. 2013. N.d. Photograph. n.p. Web. 2 Dec 2013.

Figure 2. Sanders, Leigh. A Picture from the beginning slide show showing the damage of the typhoon. 2013. N.d. Photograph. n.p. Web. 2 Dec 2013.

Figure 3. Sanders, Leigh. The Hawaii Club Performance. 2013. Photograph. n.p. Web. 2 Dec 2013.

Figure 4. Sanders, Leigh. An act dedicating his song the Philippines. 2013. Photograph. n.p. Web. 2 Dec 2013.

The Pilipina/o Community of UCLA. Typhoon Relief Benefit Show. 2013. Flyer. n.p. Web. 2 Dec 2013.