Caritas to raise P20 million for Odette-hit churches

MANILA, Philippines — Caritas Manila is organizing an online concert to raise P20 million to help rebuild 15 churches in the Visayas and Mindanao that were damaged by Typhoon Odette.

Caritas said it partnered with Viva Live Inc. to present “Padayon: Pag-ibig, Damayan sa Pag-ahon!” on March 25.

“Through this online benefit concert, Caritas Manila aims to raise funds for the reconstruction of Catholic Churches and chapels destroyed by the typhoon,” the religious organization said.

The Our Lady of Fatima Chapel and Sto. Tomas De Villanueva Church under the Archdiocese of Cebu will benefit from the fundraiser.

Other beneficiaries are St. Michael the Archangel Parish and Amparo Church under the Diocese of Maasin, San Isidro Labrador Chapel, Candelaria Chapel, San Carlos Borromeo Chapel, San Jose Chapel, St. Joseph Chapel, St. Peter Church and St. Paul Chapel from the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa.

The Sto. Niño Parish and St. Isidore the Farmer Parish in Tagbilaran, Our Lady of Peace Chaplaincy Church, Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish and St. John the Baptist Parish Church will also benefit from the concert.

Among the performers who will take part in the online concert are Viva artists including Sarah Geronimo and her husband Matteo Guidicelli, Mark Bautista, Lyca Gairanod and Bandang Lapis.

Caritas said there would also be a special participation by former Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who is the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples at the Vatican.

“Let us all help with the reconstruction of churches and chapels destroyed by Typhoon Odette,” Caritas said.

Tickets may be purchased through KTX.PH at https://www.ktx.ph/events/38283/padayon-online-concert-for-typhoon-odette/ or from Caritas Manila’s online donation portals https://www.caritasmanila.org.ph/donate-1/.