Channel Five concert raises sixty thousand for Haiti

The generosity of Belizeans has been overwhelming towards the victims of the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January twelfth. That in itself shows compassion and when coupled with homage to the legendary Andy Palacio, then that combination is a winning one. Our concert was a resounding success by every measure; in fact the Channel initiative is the single event that has raised the largest amount of money. News Five’s Delahnie Bain says a report of the three hour concert that attracted the crowd and of course, the biggest sum.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

Last Friday night was Channel Five’s concert to celebrate the life of Andy Palacio and to raise funds to assist earthquake victims in Haiti. The crowd of supporters filled the Coney Drive compound and spilled onto the streets as Belizeans contributed to the cause and enjoyed an evening of top notch entertainment, including the soothing sounds of the Umalali singers, the Garifuna Collective, Carlos Perrote and the general himself, Supa G.

[Umalali, Garifuna Collective and Carlos Perrote performances…]

Along with the performers, special guests included members of the Haitian community living in Belize who have still been unable to contact their families in Port au Prince.

Marleni Cuellar

“Who is at home back in Haiti for them?”

Haitian Representative #1

“My brothers and sisters, father and mother.”

Haitian Representative #2

“My sister, mother, father, son.”

Marleni Cuellar

”How old is your son?”

Haitian Representative #2

“One year old.”

Marleni Cuellar

“And you? Who is at home?”

Haitian Representative #3

“My mommy, my daddy, my brother, my sister is at home.”

Haitian Representative #1

“We believe that what happened is God’s will. We accept it and we’re hoping that the people who are left behind will experience something better.”

Paul Nabor

To contribute to better times for the people of Haiti, more artists joined the initiative and took center stage. Paranda legend Paul Nabor gave his first performance since he fell ill last November… and he has not slowed down a bit. And the general Supa G had his usual high energy, but started his performance on softer note with a tribute to Andy.

[Paul Nabor and Supa G performances…]

Highlighted throughout the night, were presentations made to the Belize Red Cross by representatives of Belize Electricity Limited, Smart and Central Cable Vision.

Dawn Sampson Nunez, Corporate Communications Mgr. B.E.L.

“On behalf of the company I present this cheque to the Belize Red Cross. It’s a cheque for three thousand dollars to of course assist with the relief efforts in Haiti.”

Ian Courtenay, Public Relations Officer, Smart

“We donated to the Belize Red Cross last week a cheque of ten thousand dollars. We also activated our Smart Cares program, which allowed Smart customers to text in to Care or 2273 and donate directly from their phone. Our first week of this project has given us a total of three thousand, three hundred and thirty-eight dollars, which we are now turning over to the Belize Red Cross.”

Nicholas Martin, Manager, Bze City Branch, Central Cable Vision

“On behalf of Central Cable Vision, Management, staff and customers, we’d like to thank the Red Cross for the work their doing, thank you for the work that you will be doing in reference to Haiti and just to extend our sympathy to the brothers and sisters of the Caribbean community. Thank you very much… two thousand dollars.”

Arturo “Tux” Vasquez, Chair, Disaster Mgmt. Committee, Red Cross

“I must say thank you to Central Cable Vision and Smart for being generous to this worthy cause. The Red Cross continues to work towards the fundraising I think over almost two hundred thousand dollars by this time.”

But the biggest presentation of the night came from Belize Natural Energy with a cheque for fifty thousand dollars.

Daniel Gutierrez, Chairman, Belize Natural Energy

“On behalf of the entire team at Belize Natural Energy, let me say thank you first of all to the folks at Great Belize Productions/Channel Five for this invitation to join everybody here this evening in celebrating the life of the late great Andy Palacio. Thank you for that invitation. But more than that it is an opportunity to join Belizean companies, great and small, Belizeans from all walks of life in giving something for our brothers and sisters in Haiti and we are very proud to be a part of this collective Belizean effort.”

Lily Bowman, Director General, Belize Red Cross

“Thank you very, very much to BNE. Please convey to all the partners in the company from the Belize Red Cross, of course on behalf of the poor suffering people in Haiti. But talking about needing someone to lean on, Belizeans you are all and have proven to be great humanitarians.”

Channel Five’s tribute and fundraising concert netted the Red Cross over fifty-eight thousand dollars to give hope to Haiti. And the night ended with all artists on stage paying homage to Andy with a performance of his hit song Watina.

[Performers doing rendition of Andy Palacio’s “Watina”…]

Delahnie Bain for News Five.

The latest tally shows that the Red Cross has now raised close to three hundred and forty nine thousand dollars while twenty-eight thousand dollars have not been collected in pledges.