After the Rain: GMA's tribute to the victims of typhoons

Ipapalabas sa December 13 sa Sunday Night Box-Office (SNBO) ang GMA Christmas special entitled, “After the Rain: A Hopeful Christmas with Regine." The musical-documentary concert gives tribute to the Filipino spirit that has remained resilient despite the onslaught of typhoons which tremendously affected the lives of many of our kababayans. "Maganda 'yung concept ng show kasi 'yung audience noong concert, 'yung mga victims ng typhoon," Asia's Songbird, said Ms. Regine Velasquez to iGMA. After the Rain, is a two-hour musical-documentary featuring three heartwarming and inspiring ‘Ondoy’ stories. The concert was attended by 800 victims from the typhoon-devastated cities and provinces such as Rizal, Laguna, Pasig, Marikina and Pangasinan. Sinundo sila from evacuation centers and transported to GMA Network's Studio 7 for a special dinner party before the show. "They picked three stories, and then each story iso-showcase nila 'yun [through a video presentation] and then there is a song pertaining to that story. Ganun siya all throughout," kuwento ni Regine about the concept of the event. GMA Network's award-winning primetime news anchors Mel Tianco and Mike Enriquez, together with Kapuso prime time royalties Richard Gutierrez, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, will share inspiring words and feelings of admiration for the typhoon victims’ courage and resilience amidst the disasters. The country's top singers, led by Regine, performed on stage while stories about losing loved ones, of unsung heroes, and tales of survival, hope, happy endings, and gratitude unfold. Others who gave heartwarming performances were Jaya, Kuh Ledesma, Pops Fernandez, JayR, Kyla and La Diva plus the UP Concert Chorus. "They appreciated naman the show and 'yung gesture din ng GMA to make them think na ‘Okay lang 'yan, kaya ninyo 'yan.’ Gusto natin pataasin kahit papaano ang morale nila kasi obviously hindi naman natin sila matutulungan forever and eventually they need to move forward. Siyempre they need to pick up the pieces. In the meantime eto tayo, try nating magpasaya," said Regine. At the end of the show, the audience received their special Christmas presents with the help of some sponsors and the GMA Kapuso Foundation. Sa pagtatapos ng exclusive interview ng iGMA kay Ms. Regine, she left a special message to the victims of “Ondoy" and “Pepeng." "I hope that the show will be able to help you move on. To pick up the pieces kasi wala naman na tayong choice eh. Eto na 'yun, so isipin na lang natin na merong reason kung bakit nandidito pa rin tayo. Kasi siyempre maraming nawalan--hindi lang ng mga bagay, pati ng mahal sa buhay. Isipin na lang natin na God always has a reason. Sana makaahon tayo sa matinding tragedy na ito," pag-asam niya. Don’t miss the telecast of this special musical-documentary concert filled with hope and love. After The Rain: A Hopeful Christmas with Regine will air this Sunday, December 13 on GMA-7's SNBO. - Loretta G. Ramirez, iGMA