John Ford Coley holds benefit concert for quake victims

CEBU, Philippines - Singing legend John Ford Coley’s “Love Overload” concert was supposed to be staged Nov. 15 at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), but the said venue is no longer deemed safe after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shook Bohol and Cebu last Oct 15.

According to Cebu Parklane International Hotel general manager Cenelyn Manguilimotan, when organizers informed the Texas-born hitmaker that his Cebu and Bohol shows would have to be cancelled because of the damage in both cities, Coley himself broached the idea of staging a fund-raising concert instead and offered to waive his talent fee.

Thus, Cebuanos will have the delightful opportunity of not only enjoying a night of listening to his immortal love ballads, ticket-holders will also be able to contribute to relief efforts for earthquake victims. Coley’s “Love Overload for Cebu+Bohol” will be held Nov. 15, 8 p.m., at the Victoria Hall of the Parklane Hotel. Hollywood singing sensation Kyle Vincent will front-act.

Tickets are priced at P400, instead of the original P3,000 and P5,000 price for the scrapped CICC concert. Pledges and donations will also be accepted onsite. Fifty percent of the proceeds will be donated for the reconstruction of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), while the other half will be used for a medical mission in Bohol.

Among the hits that made Coley a household name are “Love is the Answer,” “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight,”  “Soldier in the Rain,” “Gone Too Far,” “We’ll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again,” “Come Back to Me,” “Sad to Belong,” “Simone,” “Westward Wind,” “Part of Me, Part of You,” “Nights are Forever Without You” which was used in the movie “Dickie Roberts Former Child Star,” and “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” which appeared in the movie “Long Kiss Goodnight” starring Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson.

Coley used to be the half of the Grammy-nominated duo England Dan and John Ford Coley. When not performing, the singer lectures about Christianity, and is in fact completing a book about his faith.

As part of his Philippine tour, Coley will also stage concerts at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila on Nov. 13, Widus Convention Center in Clark on Nov. 19 and at the SMX Convention Center Davao on Nov. 28 – VAB