Batanes musicians hold benefit concert for quake survivors

BASCO, Batanes, Philippines — Musicians from this province gathered on Sunday night to hold a benefit concert for residents of Itbayat town where at least eight were confirmed dead after Saturday’s series of earthquakes.

The concert, titled “Musikahilyan,” was organized by Ivatans who were born in Itbayat but who reside in Basco. The Itbayat word “kahilyan” means town mates.

The show, which was to be held at 7 p.m. at the Rizal Park here, was initiated by Xavier Mirabueno, a guitarist and owner of Casa Napoli, also in Basco.

Organizers hoped to draw residents and tourists, some of whom stayed to help with relief operations.

Itbayat was rocked by a 5.4-magnitude quake at dawn on Saturday. After a series of aftershocks, a 5.9-magnitude quake followed.

Residents stayed outside their homes due to tremors that occurred throughout the night. —Juliet Cataluña