Asian Star Jackie Chan Raises Funds for Japan
Action hero Jackie Chan and other Asian stars raised more than HK$25 million ($3.2 million) at a charity concert Friday in Hong Kong for disaster-hit Japan, where over 28,000 are dead or missing.
"We're here to tell the people of Japan — you're not alone," said Chan, one of the initiators of the celebrity concert.
A massive 9.0-earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, devastating large areas of the northeast coast and leading to an ongoing nuclear emergency at a crippled atomic plant.
"They have a long to recovery ahead of them, but I hope they can stay strong and positive," said Chan, who personally donated HK$4 million to cover the production costs of the concert so that the proceeds could go to quake victims.
"We're here to help in whatever way we can," he added.
"I thank the people of Hong Kong — they have shown tremendous generosity."
The veteran movie star was joined by performers from Taiwan, China, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia for the three-hour show in the city's bustling Causeway Bay district, where stars performed songs interspersed with video footage of the quake.
The event featured a theme song called "Succumb not to sorrow", which was based on a popular Japanese poem that praises the tenacity of Japan's people in the face of hardship.
More than 10,000 people attended the show, at which over 170 celebrities performed in aid of the Salvation Army's Japan relief efforts — all of them wearing white T-shirts carrying the words "Hope for Japan".
US pop star Lionel Richie and musician Kenny G appeared in video clips shown during the concert urging the people of Japan to stay strong.
Members of the audience were expected to make a minimum donation of HK$20 each.
The organising committee, made up of art and film groups, said it aimed to raise funds for relief packs — including food, drinking water, blankets, clothing and cooking utensils — for up to 80,000 disaster victims.
Source: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net
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