Filipino musician begins 25-hour singing marathon for typhoon victims

Dubai-based singer Glenn Perry will sing non-stop with food or water for 25 hours to raise money for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

Dubai-based musician Glenn Perry starts his “singathon” for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. He hopes his fingers do not bleed and that he does not suffer from dizzy spells. Razan Alzayani / The NationalShow less

DUBAI // A Filipino singer has embarked on a 25-hour “singathon” to raise funds for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

Dubai-based musician Glenn Perry will sing non-stop without food or water to help victims of the disaster and to raise awareness about their plight.

He began on Thursday evening at the Arabian Courtyard hotel in Bur Dubai and was due to continue until 7pm on Friday.

“I know every disaster has a lifespan of two weeks,” said Perry, 48, who founded the Dubai Music School in 1980. “After that the world forgets and moves on. But I don’t want the world to forget this disaster. It is one of the greatest catastrophes.

“I was in Tacloban recently and what I have seen is heartbreaking. Babies were crying, the elderly were starving. People were running helter skelter. There was no water or food. It is total devastation.”

Perry’s efforts are the latest in a series of initiatives by expatriates and aid agencies in the UAE to reach out to Filipinos reeling from the impact of the typhoon on the country on November 8. More than 4,000 people were killed and millions were left homeless.

Perry said he had not set a target amount but hoped to raise as much as possible.

This is not the first marathon singing session the musician has attempted.

Three years ago, he sang and played the guitar for 24 hours non-stop in Dubai for World Hunger Day. The attempt left his fingers bleeding and his throat burning.

“It was torture and I had vowed I would never do it again,” he said. “What let me down was that my fingers started bleeding after four hours and my throat was on fire but I had to carry on. I had dizzy spells and lost control at least five times.

“This time, however, my students have given me a good idea. They have suggested keeping a piano on the side so I can alternate between playing the piano and the guitar.”

Perry hopes he does not face the same problems again. As part of his preparation, he has practised vocal exercises and is on a diet to keep fit.

“The body generally gives way after six hours but the mind carries on. It’s just the mind that takes you over. Last time, I looked at pictures of babies crying and dying and that kept me going,” he said.

“I hope it doesn’t happen again but come what may, I will continue. I have to do this, because it is going to take five years to stand on their own.”

Perry’s students, Filipino expatriates and other residents went to watch him sing.

A donation box was kept in the venue to encourage people to contribute. He hopes to go back to the Philippines to help the victims with the money raised.

Many UAE residents have come forward to raise money for the victims. The Philippines School in Dubai had launched a nine-day campaign to collect cash and relief items.

Although Thursday was meant to be the last day, the school decided to extend the drive until Monday.

“Some schools are bring the donations by Monday,” said Richard Zulueta, the pupil activities coordinator.

“We have to send the goods to the Philippines and it will take at least 30 days.”

The school has raised more than Dh32,000 that will be handed to the Red Crescent Authority. It will be shipping 50 boxes of clothes and blankets and 20 boxes of canned food to the country.