Benefit concert for Bellita, ailing journalists tonight

THE Cebu City police headquarters is tonight’s venue of a benefit concert for the family of the late dyAB radio broadcaster Marlon Bellita and other media practitioners who are critically ill.

A total of 19 bands will perform at Camp Sotero Cabahug on Gorordo Avenue for this humanitarian cause.

Gates open at 6 p.m.

Tickets are sold at P20 by the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists which is mounting the event.

Show bands include finalists of the Sinulog Idols, Poblete Band, TRI, Bethany Band and Missing Filemon, and the Newsbreak band composed of working journalists.

Drinks and food will also be available. A donation box will also be placed near the stage.

Elias Baquero, CFBJ, president, said the show was originally intended for Bellita, who was in a coma for two weeks before he died on Wednesday after suffering a ruptured aneurysm.

Bellita’s family will be the beneficiaries of the concert as well two other federation members who also suffered a stroke, Bong Soriano of Banat News and Sammy Yncierto, photo correspondent of Cebu Daily News.

The three media practitioners also received financial assistance by the Cebu Medical Aid Fund of the Cebu Newspaper Workers Foundation (Cenewof).

Baquero said that while politicians are welcome to attend the benefit concert, they are requested not to use the event to promote their candidacies.

Bellita’s remains will be transferred today to his residence in San Isidro, Talisay City. The funeral is scheduled on Sunday./Correspondents Carmel Loise Matus and Chito O. Aragon