Iglesias concert funds Gawad Kalinga village

MANILA, Philippines - From the proceeds of a world-renowned singer’s concert, a new Gawad Kalinga (GK) village will rise in Tanay, Rizal to benefit hundreds of families whose houses were destroyed by tropical storm “Ondoy” last year.

Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias has donated all the proceeds from his charity concert last night for the construction of 200 houses in Tanay.

The concert, billed “Heart of Gold,” is part of Araneta Center’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Araneta Group president Jorge Araneta said in an interview that they have committed P20 million for the project that is set to benefit around 200 families.

“It is the first time that an artist of Mr. Iglesias’ stature is donating all his talent fee for this project to build 200 houses,” Araneta said.

The municipal government of Tanay has donated a 2.5-hectare land in Barangay Tandang Kutyo for the project, said Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco. There are three other existing GK villages in Tanay.

Municipal planning and development officer Adorable Sunga said that at 36 square meters per lot, the property could accommodate 480 lots. About half of the lots will be built through the GK project.

According to Araneta, they chose to partner with GK because “they (GK) don’t just build houses, they build communities.”

GK founder Tony Meloto said that apart from the houses for the families displaced by Ondoy, they would also introduce livelihood programs to the beneficiaries.

A symbolic turnover of the land title donated by the municipality of Tanay was held last Friday, led by Tanjuatco and Rizal Gov. Junjun Ynares. A groundbreaking ceremony was also held at the village.

During the same event, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte awarded Iglesias with symbolic keys to the city, in appreciation of his charitable works for victims of calamities in the Philippines.