Now on their sixth visit to the Philippines to do a grand concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 3, the Air Supply, composed of British vocalist-guitarist Graham Russell and Australian lead singer Russell Hitchcock, said they will donate proceeds of their concert to the flood victims of the recent storm.

The concert, mounted by Steve O’Neal Productions, is entitled “Air Supply: Now & Forever.” A part of their Southeast Asian Tour, the concert has also its bookings in other Asian countries before their return to Canada.

What do we expect from their concert? Russell Hitchcock said: “We have new members of the band, lots of energy, lots of passion!”

Since the two started performing together, they have already cut 24 albums. They wrote most of the songs they recorded. Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock first appeared together in “Jesus Christ: Superstar.” After that they formed their own band which they called “Air Supply” to create their own brand of music and sound.

Referring to the cash donation they will give to the flood victims, the two world-class singers said that there were always Filipinos attending their shows everywhere in the world. “We are very thankful to these Filipinos who appreciated our music. We owe them so much!”

They were amazed at the ferocity of the rain which flooded Metro Manila particularly Marikina and Cainta. “It was like Katrina which ravaged New Orleans,” they said. The heavy downpour lasted for straight six hours, damaging properties at an estimated amount of P4.8 billion.

As a further affirmation of their bond of affection to the Filipinos, Air Supply will give music enthusiasts a special treat when it plays for the first time its latest song which is due for release soon in the US.

To be featured as special guests are the phenomenal rockabilly band Bembol Rockers and the sexy girl group Posh.

Among their world-known songs are “All Out Of Love,” “The One That You Love,” and “Making Love Out Of Nothing.”

Their debut album, “Lost In Love,” became a phenomenal success selling over two million copies. It also became the fastest-selling album in the world.

It was, however, their live performances which held millions of audiences captive and established them as one of the most popular singing act transcending time and years!

Every year, they always have a song featured in a movie which makes them “current” as there are always teenagers who go and see those movies.

What makes them stick together? Friendship. They define each other’s role!

They also revealed that they started from scratch, but they were lucky they worked with great musicians and they were able to learn much!

Their first concert in the Philippines was held at the Folk Arts in 1991.

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Another ‘Isang Araw Lang’ project from Kuya Daniel

Starting from his movie project, “Isang Araw Lang,” which achieved successful and unprecedented special screenings here and abroad, well-known broadcaster and dubbed as “Mr. Public Service,” Kuya Daniel Razon has broached up another “Isang Araw Lang” project, a basketball game held at the Cuneta Astrodome along Roxas Blvd., Pasay City.

The series of basketball exhibitions was entitled “Handog ng PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) sa Librong Edukasyon.”

Kuya Daniel said that the funds raised will be used to sustain the Free College Education project launched by Kamanggagawa Foundation Incorporated. “Free education is just one of several public services we have been undertaking,” Kuya Daniel stressed: “There are so many deserving students, but because they belong to the marginalized sectors of society, they could not afford to pay for their college courses. Of course we could not immediately accommodate them all, but suffice it to say that we have begun this free college education program.”

Kuya Daniel added that the construction of a college building has been started. The name of the institute is “La Verdad College,” or roughly translated, the “Truth College.”

The Free College Education will start this coming school year, and will provide an all-expense paid study program for students who wish to pursue college studies. This all-expense paid study program will cover the tuition fees, uniform expenses, books, lunch during school days and miscellaneous fees.

Kuya Daniel said that they have already started screening deserving students. Initially, they may be accepting about 300 first year students.

The basketball series included a basketball match between young amateur teams, Barangay Hoopsters and youth selections handpicked from the best players of Metro Manila. For the main highlight of the event, the PBA teams Coca-Cola Tigers and the Alaska Aces matched up for a pre-season basketball game.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Oct. 3 go to Edward V.P. Maceda, Rio Locsin, Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, Lani Aquino, Rina Pineda, Mon Fernandez, Tessie Lim, Beth J. Natividad, Edison Silva, MB’s Pepito Rotallo, Hazel Maniquiz and Robert Requintina… Happy wedding anniversary to Mario and Virgie Delmonte of Rhode Islands, USA. Belated b-day greetings to Hon. Kwin Rabia of Tagum City (Oct. 1).