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Castillo, Almeda, Grospe, Bedana, Gabasan ang Galagar are all smiles
during the cheque handover |
The Hong Kong Musicians Union received a much-needed
cash assistance from a resto-bar bar owned and run by Filipinos at a simple
ceremony held on Jan 27.
The $7,000 cheque was turned over to HKMU secretary
Maricel Bedana by Grandpa’s Crib Gastropub manager Arnold Grospe, and witnessed
by HKMU chair Lito Castillo and vice chair Bong Galagar; as well as the pub’s co-owners Joel Almeda and Nobel Gabasan.
The money was raised from the “Paskong Pinoy” dinner
show held on Dec. 11 at Grappa’s Cellar in Causeway Bay for the benefit of HKMU, and co-presented by Grandpa’s Crib and Prime Credit.
An impromptu musical show followed the cheque
presentation, with both Castillo and Gabasan playing the keyboard, and Galagar,
Bedana and former Disneyland talent Mikki Villa rendering songs.
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| Castillo and Bedana weave musical magic at the pub |
Castillo said that he’s grateful for the various
groups that helped musicians during the pandemic, which practically sidelined
all of them due to the closure of bars and the cancellation of live
performances.
The groups that extended a helping hand included the University
of the Philippines Alumni Association and the Philippine Association of Hong
Kong.
In turn, HKMU helped raise funds for the Bethune House
Migrant Women’s Refuge, which was also left in dire straits by the big number
of foreign domestic workers that were left jobless, stranded or sick, as a
result of the pandemic.
Castillo said he’s grateful that with Hong Kong’s
reopening, most musicians have now gone back to work, and are getting new and
better opportunities. A number of HKMU members have even managed to get job
offers from Hong Kong Disneyland, after passing their rigorous screening.
But to boost membership and initiate more projects for
the benefit of its members, the HKMU is planning to hold more shows this year,
including a revival of the Concert in the Park, which was sidelined during the
pandemic, and other public events.
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| Poster for the upcoming Valentine show at Grandpa's Crib |
Meanwhile, Grandpa’s Crib is gearing up for its next
big musical offering, a Valentine show titled “Musicals & Arias,” featuring
professional singers Judy Honor and Mikki Villa, slated for Feb 17 and 18,
2022, starting at 8:30pm.
The entrance fee of $400 includes unlimited drinks and
snacks from 5pm to 10pm.
Tickets are available at the BDO branch at WorldWide
Plaza in Central, or call Arnold at 6160 4885, Nobel at 6100 9460 or Joel at
9012 7122.
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