SMB holds concert to help typhoon victims in Iloilo

The San Miguel Brewery Inc. has answered the call of supertyphoon Yolanda victims by holding the two-day benefit concert “Sagip Mo Bayan,” last Nov. 14 and 15 which featured some of the country’s popular bands.

The concert was held at the Plaza Mayor, Plazuela de Iloilo in order to raise funds for SMB’s Keep Hope Afloat program for the typhoon victims.

Concert performers were the Brownman Revival, Rivermaya, Callalily and Banda ni Kleggy and Dinagyang festival 2013 champion, the Pinayanon Tribe.

The event also featured the SMB’s 14th national beer drinking contest.

The team of Marlon Pogosa, Joseph Abayon, Rufino Hechanova, Carmelo Batadlan and Jic Catanghal from Bacolod City was declared the champion for being the first to finish drinking five bottles in just 39.51 seconds, besting their rivals from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The team received P500,000.

“For the past two years, this event has become much-awaited here, because at its core, it is about fun, togetherness and friendship. This year, these values take on a deeper, more significant meaning. And we are committed to doing our best to put out a good show and use the event to help our countrymen who are in need,” said SMB trade promo and merchandising manager Bobby Minosa. /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA