Aid Supply rides again

MANILA, Philippines - No, sir! It’s not a typo. It is really Aid Supply. Air Supply’s way of helping the country that has embraced their music since they burst into the music scene in the ’70s. Back in 2009 when Typhoon Ondoy hit the Philippines, Air Supply was in the forefront of benefit concerts for the typhoon victims.

From Manila to Koronadal to Qatar, a  basket was passed around in all the concerts for personal donations coupled with a charity auction. The whole tour raised close to half a million pesos and was promptly donated to the victims in cash and in kind.

Fast forward November 2013 when Graham Russell heard about Yolanda’s devastation. He asked me what Air Supply could do to help. Having a yearly schedule that puts Air Supply onstage half and the other half traveling and resting at hotels thousands of miles away from their homes, we both decided another auction charity that would conveniently fit into their heavy schedule. This time both Russell and Graham will bring their personal memorabilia and music instruments to put on the auction block. Proceeds of the charity auction will be donated to the Cebu/Bohol quake victims thru Park Lane Hotel Cebu’s charity and directly to the Tacloban typhoon victims.

Just like John Ford Coley who donated his talent fees in his last concert tour to the typhoon and quake victims, Air Supply also has a close affinity to the country they visit every year for concert tours. Air Supply had a sold-out concert back in June of 2010 at the Tacloban Astrodome which now serves as a main shelter for the homeless families. This Dec. 11 concert is their second concert at Solaire Resort & Casino this year (first one was last August). I personally consider Air Supply as extended family. In fact, I named my daughter “Russell” after both members Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell. 

As always, fans won’t be disappointed as Air Supply will be performing their greatest hits at the concert including Making Love Out Of Nothing, Even The Nights Are Better, Lost In Love, Sweet Dreams, Just As I Am, Here I Am, Without You, The One That You Love, All Out Of Love, Goodbye, Every Woman In The World and more. It will definitely be another sing-along night and they will do something they haven’t done in a long time — a meet and greet with photo ops. Special guests are Abbee M (Philippines’ Karen Carpenter), Mark Mabasa & Friends and the MSP singers. Tickets are selling fast at Ticketnet, Ticketworld, SM ticket outlets and the concierge at Solaire Resort & Casino. Air Supply Greatest Hits Live is presented by Grand Leisure Corporation, Solaire Resort & Casino and Steve O’ Neal Productions in collaboration with Park & Ride, Manila Multimodal Terminal, Fadcom, Sea Oil, Business World, Telenovela Channel, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, Diva Universal, IBC 13, HDI, Air 21, Hard Rock Café and RJ100.3FM.