Ria rallied her fellow young artists Jada McKenzie-Moore, Darren Exley, DaniElle Sever­inski and her band, Northern Rain Band, Glisha Dela Cruz, MJ Ancheta, Jasmine Stacey and Louis Luzuka to perform for Hai­yan relief and every dollar raised are going to be turned over to the Canadian Red Cross, before the Dec. 23rd deadline to avail of the government match.

The fundraiser generated huge support from Greater Vancouver: Maple Ridge Councilor Peter Tam, a JUNO Awards judge, who co-produced the event with ReyFort Media Group, Open Door Church through its pastor Bradley Chris­tianson-Barker who gave the ven­ue for free and provided admin­istrative support; donors Wired Monk Fleetwood (Surrey), Blenz Coffee, Starbucks, Willy Mojares, G&G Music, Colin and Ligaya Yerbury, Bergthorson Academy of Musical Arts, Mazas, Pacific Audio Visual Institute and The Filipino Canadian Community led by Liza Schroers and Pearl Herico, and the Diys’ church St. Luke’s Par­ish led by Ria’s Pastor Father Amador Abundo; volunteers Stephanie Kwasnica, Sara Stan­ley and the Garibaldi Secondary School, Open Door Church staff and students from Maple Ridge; publication by Maple Ridge News and the MRTimes; attendance by dignitaries MP Randy Kamp (Ma­ple Ridge-Mission-Pitt Meadows), Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin, and Philippine Consul General for Vancouver Neil Frank Ferrer, among others.

Ria, a humanitarian at heart, who supports the Make A Wish Foundation (BC and Yukon) is very happy about the support she received from everyone not only to help Haiyan victims, but to also feature her fellow artists who she believes should be seen, heard and appreciated. Footages from the successful concert will be aired on Ria’s eveRIAthing TV  show in two episodes: Dec. 16th, and 23rd on SHAW Multicultural Channel 116 (BC) and Channel 89 (Calgary) as the show’s Christ­mas presentation. For more of eveRIAthing, please visit the web- site, www.everiathing.com, or www.pinoytvcanada.com.

ReyFort Media Group salutes its artist, Ria Jade, for not only exceeding our expectations and raising the bar in terms of achieve­ment at such a young age, but going the extra mile to serve her community. She has consistently proven that she is a great role model for our youth! (Photos by Christian Cunanan)