Pinoy Hitmakers' Amsterdam concert a hit

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 03/20/2010 10:27 PM | Updated as of 03/20/2010 10:27 PM

AMSTERDAM - The recent Pinoy Hitmakers’ concert brought back nostalgic memories of the Philippines to Dutch Pinoys.

Despite the very strong wind and rain brought by a violent storm that hit Western Europe, Dutch Pinoys from different parts of The Netherlands flocked to Amsterdam to watch the very first concert of Rey Valera, Jessa Zaragoza and Renz Verano.

The singers entertained the audience with their songs that became hits during the 80s and the 90s.

“Hindi ko inaasahan na maraming darating dahil umuulan,” Valera said.

In fact, the artists themselves did not expect such a big turnout because of the very bad weather.

Each song, particularly those of Valera’s, reminded the Dutch Pinoys of the
Philippines.

“Talagang we feel like home. Nadala nila dito ang spirit ng pagiging Filipino. Maraming salamat at congratulations sa mga organizers at sponsors,” Ambassador Cardozo Luna said.

Overall, the Dutch Pinoys proved to be a very warm and receptive audience that impressed the singers.

“Napakaganda. Masayang-masaya. Ibang-iba po ito. Ang mga tao ay feeling the warmth of being together na kahit umuulan nandito pa sila. I can feel the warmth, love and unity of the Filipino. Napak-importante po yon,” Pinay Rose Ann Esquibil said.

Luna congratulated the organizers and sponsors for the huge success of the event.

Organizing a concert is always a big gamble. Promoter Danny Sabio said it’s not about the money, but more of making his kababayans happy.

“To give them some form of entertainment. Work, work lang sila lagi. So ‘yun ang pinaka-motivation lang siguro. Ganun lang basta sama-sama mga kababayan,” Sabio said.

"Basta sama-sama lang mga Pinoy dahil may mga iba dyan puro trabaho. At least nandito kami. Hindi lang para magkaron ng pera. Para lang sa kasayahan," said Grace Van Overbeek.

The Dutch Pinoys hoped to see more concerts like this in the future to ease their loneliness of being far away from home.

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/03/20/10/pinoy-hitmakers-amsterdam-concert-hit