7 December 2017—The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the members of the Filipino community turned over on December 5 a cheque worth PhP2 million to GMA Kapuso Foundation for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi.

The amount was raised in a fundraising event dubbed “Night of Music and Fashion” held on October 15 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

“As the fighting in Marawi has stopped and efforts now shift to rehabilitation and reconstruction, this actual turnover is fortuitous because the money can immediately be used for the effort.  With this turnover also includes our wish that our brothers and sisters in Marawi can return to their homes and rebuild their lives,” Ambassador Charles Jose said in his remarks.

Receiving the cheque is GMA Kapuso Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Annalee Escudero-Catibog, who said that the donation would be used to rebuild classrooms damaged during the siege.  She also thanked the Federation of Filipino Associations in Malaysia, who also turned over donations for the effort.

During the turnover ceremony, the GMA Kapuso Foundation also gave certificates of recognition to the Embassy and the executive committee for their efforts.

The fundraising event was spearheaded by a committee made up by Filipino and Malaysian ladies chaired by Princess Dato Sri Dr. Becky Leogardo.  The event’s royal guest of honor was Her Royal Highness, Sultana Hajjah Kalsom of Pahang.

As stated in the title, the event was replete with music and fashion, with performances from Malaysian and Filipino singers, including Malaysian R&B artist Min Yasmin and laywer-singer Aloysius Cornelius Sisek, and Malaysia-based Filipino performers Yasmin Aziz, Sherwin Calderon, Cyrel Landazabal and Unlimited Resources Band.  Princess Dato Sri Dr. Becky’s daughter Gloria Mantz and Ambassador Jose and Madame Maria Victoria Jose also rendered song numbers.

A fashion show featuring avant garde Filipiniana by Axxezz by Gina Frias, ready to wear pieces by Blubelle by Nadia Razak and Malaysian-Japanese fusion clothing by Adamaya by Datin Sharifah Shawati Syed Mohamad was also part of the event.   To raise more funds, there was also an auction of gowns, jewelry and bags from Sultana Hajjah Kalsom herself.