Bruno Mars donates $100k for children affected by Yolanda

MANILA, Philippines – Singer Bruno Mars, who is part Filipino, is here in Manila not just to perform for Filipino fans but to help out victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) as well.

In an event at Solaire Resort and Casino on Friday, March 21, Bruno Mars handed his donation of US $100,000 to executives of local network ABS-CBN’s Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc., and will be coursed to its children’s rights and welfare arm – Bantay Bata 163. (READ: 7 things to know about Bruno Mars)

His contribution will be used to assist and care for the children affected by the super typhoon. It will also be used to help bring back their esteem and morale after losing their homes and members of their family.

Feeding programs and medical missions are set to be initially conducted to address the basic needs of children – nutritious food and good health. 

Post-traumatic stress debriefing will also be conducted to help children that were emotionally and mentally traumatized.  This will be followed by disaster preparedness workshops to help them learn basic survival tips during natural disasters.

A huge portion of the donation will be going to scholarship programs to help children get back on track when it comes to education and preparing for their future. 

This is not the first time the two-time Grammy award winner was seen helping children in need. In 2011, he visited, bonded, and sang with the children of the same foundation. ABS-CBN’s Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. Program Director Tina Monzon Palma describes the experience as life-changing. “I would want to tell him [Bruno Mars] that you turned the lives of the kids around when you visited us in 2011. The children are not here because most of them have come back to their homes, [but you] inspired [them] to become better.”

During his turn to speak, Bruno Mars said how excited he was to be back in Manila, adding that: “One of the most special moments for me in my career, coming here a few years ago and performing with my whole Filipino family watching.”

Born Peter Gene Hernandez, Bruno Mars is a half-Filipino, half-Puerto Rican singer from the US. His Filipina mother, who passed away last year, was a former singer and hula dancer in Hawaii. She came back to Manila to watch her son’s last concert here held in 2011. (READ: Reliving the magic of Mars)

Bruno Mars is currently one of the biggest-selling artists of his generation after selling 5 million albums and 45 million singles worldwide.

His Moonshine Jungle Tour has 23 dates and has gone to Australia and New Zealand before making its way to Manila. (READ: Bruno Mars’ upcoming concert: 3 things we’re looking forward to)

In his Manila show, America’s Best Dance Crew Season 5 winners Poreotics will be the opening act. – Rappler.com

Bruno Mars’ The Moonshine Jungle Tour will be held on March 22, Saturday, 8pm at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City