“Albert Martinez’ Fund-Raising for Typhoon Ondoy’s Victims”

              In our taping day after the 26 September 2009 deluge, Albert Martinez showed us photos of the destruction of some houses inside their plush village -Don Antonio Royal brought by typhoon Ondoy. The photos showed vividly the wrath of nature: muddy flood water inside mansions, expensive cars under water, etc… Indeed, nature is a great equalizer: both haves and have nots are hit by its fury, no distinction.  They could either be the expensive mansions inside Don Antonio Royal or the houses of informal settlers under the bridge in Fairview – both are victims of Ondoy’s floods. Albert’s photos captured these destruction.

                The following taping, Albert told us that their home owners association decided to have a fund raising for the benefit of the victims of typhoon Ondoy – not the wealthy residence of Don Antonio Royal but the dwellers in depressed areas. They planned to have an Oktoberfest. Ticket was P800.00 for a drink all you can, eat all you can evening. He said there will be bands and solo performers to provide music.  He invited us to join the event.

                The date was October 24, 2009. I had a frat board meeting at 2:00 p.m. that day in Alabang Town Center. After the meeting at 5:00 p.m., I drove to Don Antonio Royal to attend Albert’s fund-raising Oktoberfest.

                I texted Lito Pimentel where he was when I parked my car outside the Club House. Lito texted back that he was already inside the clubhouse. It was 7:00 p.m. After paying P800.00 at the entrance, I joined Lito and Albert Martinez in a table inside the basketball court. I looked at the ticket and it said that the affair is sponsored by the Don Antonio Royal Home Owners and the  Albert Martinez Events. Albert’s company was the organizer and prime mover of the event!

                Albert told us that they had printed 600 tickets and was sold out.  At P800.00, they had a gross ticket sale of 480,000.00.  All the beer and other drinks and all the food were donations. The bands that performed I presumed could have also made their services  pro-bono to be able to help the victims of Ondoy.

                When the lechon which came from Cebu was laid on the table, we filled our plates. We had eaten probably the best lechon ever! As the night grow older, people continued to arrive and join the party.  From the cast of “May Bukas Pa”, we were joined by Ruben Gonzaga and Gio Marcelo (Ipe, the bodyguard of Mayor Enrique) and Tess Antonio (the DSWD staff). Soon, the entire venue was already filled with people who wanted to party for a very noble cause.     

                The beer continued to flow freely. The food never ran out of supply! There were varied music from the 80’s to 90’s, several pairs were dancing on the dance floor. From swing to LA walk!

                After the last set of the band, there were only few of us left behind. Albert and Lito went up the stage to sing. When Albert finished singing, I asked permission to leave. I was driving home at 2:30 a.m. having enjoyed an evening of music, dancing, beer and food for a good cause.