The Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists (CFBJ) raised almost P100,000 during a concert for a cause held on Friday night to help the family of the late radio reporter Marlon Bellita and two other mediamen Bong Soriano and Sammy Yncierto.
CFBJ president Elias Baquero said each of the beneficiaries will receive an equal share of the concert proceeds.
“We will be giving them equal share kay nagsige pa sad ang medication sa duha pa nato ka kauban (as our two fellow mediamen continue to receive medication),” said Baquero.
Baquero said while the concert was originally planned for Bellita, who was then confined at the Intensive Care Unit of the Chong Hua Hospital, to help pay his bills, the CFBJ decided to include Soriano and Yncierto as beneficiaries.
Soriano is still undergoing dialysis, while Yncierto needs to undergo an operation to close his skull which was earlier opened for an operation.
The concert for a cause was held at the Cebu City Police Office grounds at 7 p.m. and ended past midnight.
Performing were finalists in the Sinulog idol competition and local bands that included TIR, Missing Felimon, Bethany and Newsbreak.
Revenues from ticket sales sold at P20 each excluding food and drinks. Donations reached P94,000 as of yesterday.
Baquero said they hoped to raise more money from pledges to bring their funds to P100,000 before they turn over the assistance before the week ends.
Baquero said an accounting of the concert proceeds will also be sent to the different media outlets for dissemination.
With the success of the concert for a cause, Baquero said the CFBJ will plan another activity to raise money for a medical assistance fund to colleagues in the media.”
“It is a fact that 95 percent of the media workers earn break even. Wala nay pang (No budget for) emergency,” he said. /CHIEF OF REPORTERS DORIS BONGCAC