“Artists 311 Love Beyond Borders ” Charity Gala Held in Hong Kong
On April 1, 2011, many well known Hong Kong pop stars, along with artists from Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and South Korea performed a three-hour charity gala to raise funds for victims of Japan who have suffered from the devastating earthquake and tsunami that badly hit Japan on March 11, 2011. This charity event was initiated and organized by famous artists Jackie Chan, Andy Lau and Eric Tsang who have done a tremendous job uniting 200 artists to participate in this meaningful fund raising event.
Jackie Chan opened the program by leading dozens of artists and audience in a moment of silence for the casualties in Japan. All the artists linked arms as they performed the theme song “Succumb Not to Sorrow,” specially composed in memory of all the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. There were both Japanese and Mandarin lyrics for this song to praise the tenacity of the Japanese people during such tough times and hardship. Some of the Hong Kong artists who performed at the charity gala included Alan Tam, Kenny Chung, Joey Yung, Charlene Choi, G.E.M., and Hacken Lee just to name a few artists.
Agnes Chan, Judy Ong, girl band AKB48 and Masatoshi Nakamura were artists who came from Japan to participate in the event. Masatoshi , a native of the hard-hit Miyagi prefecture, was deeply touched by the great passion Hong Kong people have to extend a helping hand to those in need. Masatoshi felt very grateful that the Hong Kong entertainment industry has so successfully organized this Charity Gala in such a short time and promised to share all the warmth and love he felt with everyone in Japan.
The positive message that came out from this Charity Gala was that we all live on the same planet; we should always show empathy to those who suffer and reach out to help those in need. “Artists 311 Love Beyond Borders” Charity Gala has successfully raised a total of around $18 Million HK Dollars ($2.3Million US Dollars) which will be donated to the Salvation Army, an international charity organization currently involved in disaster relief efforts in Japan.
Source: Sina.com
Written by Gossip Godiva, a Contributing Writer at JayneStars.com
Saw a bit of the concert. Heard the themesong (Japanese). Frankly dreary from entertainment point of view. Is it that when disaster strikes, the first thing for a charity gala is matching t-shirts?
And for a charity show to help the victims, one part were narration on the immense fear of the Fukushima plants and how does that help the victims by contributing to the scaremongering?
The themesong if not a charity song would have been a lazy attempt. But since it is for charity, it doesn’t matter.
@ Fun,
I always love your comments and critics and other things. But when I read your comments I think you are too much. It doesn’t matter what the Charity Gala do or what they are wearing. What is really count are all get together to raise funds to help the disaster people.
We are lucky people to live in a place where the disaster doesn’t strike us. If your place is reverse I don’t think you will have time to ask or write those comments.
I have a great respect for the Japanese people when they are in this situation. They stand up as a nation and they don’t blame anyone including the government.
Even I live in the United States, American always gets angry at others because they don’t get the help fast enough…..
Each and every time I read news about the people in Japan I always cry because I don’t how much people have suffer and have to go through everyday trying to locate their love one.
These artists didn’t do it for themselves therefore, I think it is appropriate to keeps negative comments to yourself regardless how the event was. It doesn’t matter if it was a flawless event or a bad one. You attended to show your support and donated money to help the victims. You don’t go or watch the event and then said it was so bad….
But it was bad. I know it was arranged in haste, but so is every event in HK. Donation can be through many mediums, because it was for charity doesn’t mean it can be simply put together. My observation on what they’re wearing is just that; the first thing with charity gala is matching t-shirts.
Nothing to do with the Japanese people. My comments is aimed at the charity gala, not the tragedy, not the victims.
And I still think talking about the Fukushima in full doesn’t help things but my hats off to Fukushima 50.
Well said JN. I completely agree. Let’s focus on the positive — these artists have taken out their time and effort to raise money for those in need… what does it matter what they wore?
I been reading Jaynestar for some time and view your comments often, as you post in most or all the news article. While it is your personal opinion, I find most your comment to be very negative and some time distasteful.
Like JN state below, it is a charity event. All the HK celebrities put their time and effort to help those in need and show empathy, it is something we should praise them for. Do you see the US celebrities doing the same thing?
Gosh I wish Jayne have ignore function for certain user.
They did, for 911 and it was as dreary. No one ask you read my comments. You can skip, that is the same as ignore function.
@littlegalpal,
The celebrities in the US did it for the Haiti earthquake any other disasters. I was just watching Inside Edition and they said that the US celebs raised more money for Haiti than Japan because they think that Japan is a rich country and didn’t need as much help. I was kind of sad to hear that because I think that when anyone/any country is in trouble, you should help regardless of whether they are rich or poor.There are US celebs that did help, but they just didn’t help Japan as much as Haiti. I do agree that we should not critique how this program was put together and all of the little details. The most important thing is the purpose of it, which was reuniting and gathering all of the artists to help raise money to help the people in Japan. They have suffered a lot and lives have been lost. The least anyone can do is raise money to help them out in anyway possible.
Haha. I actually think it’s not a bad idea to wear matching T-shirts 😉
1) So that no one can outshine another by wearing super-extravaganza clothing.
2) A symbol of unity and same-level-ness
Here is my two bits: Whenever there is any disasters in the Asia region in the last few years, these celebrities come out in all their glory and T-shirts trying to show the world how compassionate they are and how they want to raise funds to help. Wake up people! These celebrities just come out to gain more exposure and to add points to their profile. This is just another way for them to get more attention. Do we really believe they care? Even if they did, it wouldn’t be for Japan because despite the fact that it is one of the greatest natural disasters in history, it isn’t half as bad as the trauma and pain that Japan caused other regions during the World Wars. While a lot of people are going to comment and say that this is already in the past, do not forget that the Japanese people to this day still deny that they have any wrong-doings on thier part of the war and still try to brainwash the next generation by mis-representing their part of the war. That is the part that is most disgusting. Live up to the wrongs of the past and then you can move on. Otherwise, this again is just KARMA. Yes, KARMA – meaning that they are simply experiencing the pain and grief that they caused onto others in the past and it will come back to haunt future generations. As for the entertainers, they’re just out for the show and not really for the sympathy>>………
@yuaida Wow, you sound intense. Perhaps celebrities can attain more popularity and attention by caring about the situation, but I don’t believe that they are merely doing this to achieve more fame. That’s quite impossible. I do, and want to, believe that most people do at least have some sympathy in this natural disaster. It would be horrible if it was only a popularity contest to show off their compassion.
@yuaida. Your comment reminds me of that idiotic youtuber who praises god for the Japan disaster in her “god is so good” video.
I understand that many people feel this way — some Americans think that this is karma for pearl harbor and some Chinese people think it’s retribution for Nanjing. I’m all for free speech, but it’s shocking and bit worrisome for me to hear such hateful words spewed out by my fellow human-beings — especially in such a cavalier attitude toward the suffering of others… You need to remember that there are people out there, people like you and me, who have family and friends who are dead, who are missing, who are suffering without food, water, and shelter. Whats happening in Japan right now is NOT only limited to Japan, but it’s effects are world-wide… the economy, the environment will have a lasting effect on EVERYONE.
And let’s not forget that Japan has already paid for their mistakes… the atomic bomb. If it’s all about karma, then what about 2008 Sichuan earthquake, the Haiti earthquake, and the millions of other natural diasters that take place?
I am Chinese and I don’t think it is Karma. It is pure geography and tectonic plates and science and weather. Karma is if a specific place gets this. Like Osama in his cave and the cave got flooded despite not being near water.
Anyway WWII was not a mistake on the part of the then Japan. It was a deliberate act. I don’t see the bomb as karma either, but a necessary evil to stop the war. However much I pity the suffering thereafter, without that bomb I wonder what will happen to the rest of us?
Let’s not talk about karma. How is that karma and what is karma. God is forgiving, God is good. To Buddhists, yes there is karma but surely what happened in Japan is more than karma. If that is karma then what of the 2004 tsunami? That is a simple force of nature that we can’t avoid.
Japan so happened to be situated on dangerous grounds so to speak.
However if you say nuclear plants is karma, what again about the rest of us who might (small chance but might) be affected?
I don’t hate the Japanese. I can differentiate between the imperial that is old times and the new ones. I still love my sushi, love my Masha, felt shocked and saddened by the whole tragedy. Blame the past, but come on, let’s not talk about Karma.
Karma…
May I ask you where you are from? Your country has never take part in any war?
Sorry, Japanese paid enough for what they did in WWII. The bomb in Hiroshima and Nagoasaki is not enough? Their contribution to rebuilt the world after WWII is not enough? Their current contribution to the world is not enough?
Moreover, the Japanese now are not the ones who caused the deaths in WWII. Why they have to pay for what their parents do? Many of them even fought against the wars in the world, why they still have to die?
If it’s the Karma to Japan, why other countries have to worry for themselves now? The nuclear cloud, the pollution of ocean and the change of the earth. Not only Japanese are facing this matter, the whole world is facing it.
The true Karma is for what people are doing with the earth. It’s the response of the earth. Not apply to anyone or any particular countries. It’s Act of God so that human can’t do anything.
History is written by the winner. You can’t sure who is the true victim and who is the killer. So stop bashing a country and contribute some actions to make the world better instead. It’s moral but a better thing to do.
You seem to be biased against Asia celebrities in particular HK.
It is totally brainless to be saying this disaster was karma for what they did during WWII. It is already of a different generation, would you want to be blamed for mistakes your elders made? This disaster affects the whole world, the economy is affected also. I believe you live in a country free of natural disasters hence your comment.
And saying more than 300 celebrities out for the show?! Most of them didnt even have 5 mins of screen time, were not interviewed and their names were not mentioned. They took their time off their schedules to try and raise funds. You may not sympathise with Japan and its people but it doesn’t mean others do not care.
Though your comments are a bit direct and harsh on the Japanese people, can’t agree with you more. Too many people forget about history because they do not have relatives who lived through wars. Even at this point, the Japanese are causing further grief for the world by disposing of the radioactive waters in the open waters and claiming they have no choice. Bullshit; they are just sharing their disaster with others so that they are not the only ones affected by radioactive wastes. Underneath the veil of suffering, they are still a selfish breed of humans who love themselves only……..
Why should your comments always be so hateful?
@Yuaida,
WOW, you should really negative. I personally don’t think that you should always view things in such a negative view like that. I can tell you that I am Buddhist(but I am not that religious and refuse to let it control every aspect of my life) and do believe in karma. However, I personally don’t believe that the Japanese tsunami was karma. If that was karma, then how do you explain all of the other natural disasters that have happened to other countries like Haiti and Chile?
With the artists, I don’t think that you should say that they are there for fame and exposure. I think a lot of them are already popular and famous, so gaining a little more or less from this one event will not do much for them anyways. They are really busy people and I don’t feel that they need to sacrifice their effort and time just to gain a bit of fame. I think that there is at least some sympathy that they are showing or else what is the point of organizing an event like this? I once read about how Jackie Chan was talking about his hard life when he was younger. HE was then helped by this one man and this man told him that the best way for him to thank him was to help others when he grew up… I think if that was true than Jackie is living up to his words and I find that a really good thing…
@Billy,
I don’t think that you should say that about the Japanese. THat is not nice at all. First of all, please remember that this was NATURAL disaster that has caused damages to their nuclear plants which has spread the radiation everywhere…They are risking their lives to help stop it. I am not sure if you have met Japanese people, but most of the ones that I have met are really polite and nice people. Of course, there is good and bad with every nationality/race. However, overall the Japanese seem like a very civilized and great group of people. Even through this big disaster, they are united and help each other. There is no looting, stealing, selfishness,etc.. I highly doubt any other group of people would be able to do what they are doing which is stay united and help each other. In fact I heard that they aren’t even complaining that this has happened. I know people who enjoy their life so much that even if something really little happened, they complain and cry like their life is over… However, the Japanese people don’t seem to be doing that very much and I commend them for that…
@ Billy
“Even at this point, the Japanese are causing further grief for the world by disposing of the radioactive waters in the open waters and claiming they have no choice.”
So, what other alternative action can you suggest to Japan to solve this matter?
“Too many people forget about history because they do not have relatives who lived through wars. “
My late grandma lived through the wars and she’s the one who said to me ‘let bygones be bygones’.
” Too many people forget about history
It’s good to know history, to know our past, to know where we came from, to learn from mistakes our ancestors did or just feel proud of our human achievement.
But, to hold decades and centuries old grudges?
Forgive, BUT never forget!
“Too many people forget about history because they do not have relatives who lived through wars. “
My mother’s hands were damaged 90% by a bomb of US military during the war in Vietnam. Should I wish an earthquake happen in US and kill all the American? I rmb my mother herself donated for the US when a big storm ruined California.
We can remember the history, but we can learn how to forgive it.
“Underneath the veil of suffering, they are still a selfish breed of humans who love themselves only……..”
A character of human is selfish.
It’s Ok boys and girls. You don’t have to agree with Karma and its cause and effect but you can be sure there are lots of millions of people out there who see things from this perspective and show no sympathy to what’s happening in Japan. Until one day they live up to their responsibilities and admit to their war crimes of the past and to stop honoring the hideous war criminals like they’ve been doing, they will continue to feel the wrath of such Karma. As for the other places around the world that has natural disasters, well I can’t worry about them all but just glad to see that what Karma is doing to Japan. That is enough satisfaction.
@yuaida
Its rather weird you believe the atrocities committed by Japan in WWII translates to the pain the next generation of Japanese people should suffer, regardless of their ancestral involvement in WWII. You should be careful what your ancestors and most removed reletives, the country of your birth or you hold nationality to then, cause I’m sure KARMA is going to catch up with you too.
You, like critiques of ‘China’, mistake the word ‘Japan’ to mean the geographical location, the history, the modern country, the government and the people. You’re speaking as if they are all one, and one continuum of the same thing. Quite an ignorant fallacy in logic and philosophy.
And seriously, are you religious?
@Funn
I do understand why you’d be critical of these charities since we live in a cynical world. But I guess regardless of that, if you are aware of the realities of the situation, its better they do it than not do it. Of course you could argue Jackie Chan himself could donate the entire sum but I think the point is, on a certain level, to reach out to those who don’t know what’s happening. Many things occur for many motives, however the effect can be diverse.
I think the theme song is apt for the mood. Whilst a slightly more uplifting song would be ideal, but truth is the nuclear ramifications are unclear, as is the victim count, so strictly speaking that grey area of passing through the trauma and into recovery mode hasn’t arrived so this song is probably better suited. Also the song was aimed at both the Japanese and wider audiences.
The TV shirts, as Masaharu said is to ensure celebrities don’t out shine one another. That’s my guess anyway. It works on some levels, and also helps keep the female celebrities ‘clothed’ -excuse for lack of better word.
The narration is suppose to strike empathy for the wider audience. Its not really scaremongering for the intended audience since most live at arm’s length to the tragedy.
Overall I think the charity is apt considering the bigger picture. Remeber, the whole may not be the sum of its parts. So particular faults may be overlooked when considering the total value of something. But I guess you know. You’re just playing devil’s advocate.
SDS, I am not playing devil’s advocate. I am not even questioning the purpose of the concert. I am questioning the organising part of it, how dreary it was. No one seems to read my comment properly.
“he narration is suppose to strike empathy for the wider audience. Its not really scaremongering for the intended audience since most live at arm’s length to the tragedy.”
It didn’t sound that way for me. They talked on the bravery of the Fukushima 50 which I applaud but somewhere along before they reach that they spoke the seriousness of the radiation, which in a way is true depending on how you interprete the news but I feel that part did nothing to strike empathy. Empathy is 2nd part, radiation part is the type of news all the news agency have been giving major headlines to and that didn’t help.
That is all I am saying. I am not questioning why the concert was held, I am not saying why the artistes are joining the concert, I am not saying Jackie should donate the money rather than organise this.
And yes, I agree a more uplifting song would be ideal, maybe the lyrics are uplifting but doesn’t take away how dreary the song was. Again, I am talking about the hows, not the whys, and not the whos.
@Funn
Actually, I take note you were questioning the organisation of it, but then you’d just be picking at bones (its parts) which then makes you come off as criticising the purpose of the concert. Hence why it was inevitable people felt you were criticising the meaning behind the concert even though you didn’t intend to. A critical eye is good, but not always necessary.
I think like you said, HK charities are always slapdash. In a sense that’s fine, I don’t see why they need a picture perfect production, since that likely raises costs, time etc. which could be better spent just donating to the cause.
At the end of this, I guess we’re just trading opinions. I don’t believe there’s a right or wrong with you criticising the ‘hows’ as some other people seem to.
I believe now its over HKD $25 million = US$ 3.2 million, right now.
Its charity.
Thanks for the info Larry! It is great that they have raised that much for charity. Jia You to all of the celebs!
Thanks for the info.
I believe they are one of the countries in Asia which raised the most funds for Japan.
What a positive message that they are sending out: that we all live in the same world. Aid to Japan was given much slower than aid to Haiti because many were waiting for Japan’s announcement of needed aid and plan of action. It is also true that it’s because Haiti is so much poorer than Japan. Perhaps it seems less aid was given but in actuality disbursement and gathering or resources just might be slower to ensure that aid is going to the right places for the Japanese.
We will just have to wait and watch. What’s the meaning of 311?
11 March
311 = March 11, the date of the earthquake and tsunami.
I wished that these artists should have helped out Haiti and other nations instead of just asian countries. Thank goodness the US celebs helped out Haiti and other nations. While I really admire these artists for helping out Japan, I just wished that we as a humanity should help everyone out and not only people that are in a similar ethnic group like us. They would of course help out China, Japan, the asian tsunami of 2004, and other related asian countries. But I wonder if they helped out Haiti, Chile or any other non asian countries???
Oh, I am so dense! Thank you all. I have no opinion personally towards these Asian artists on whether they did or did not help out Haiti. Perhaps because Japan is so close and is like an immediate neighbor to the Asian countries that they notice it more.:T I’m glad that they reached out to other Asian countries because I’m of the mindset that we tend to dislike other Asians than we dislike or even care for people of other races because of our close proximity and shared history with one another. ::shrugs::
The US always the first one to go to any disaster in the world. I just read Sandra Bullock had donated 1 million dollars of her own money to the Red Cross Relief to Japan. As for why Americans helped Haiti more than Japan. You need to understand Haiti is almost a neighbor and it doesn’t take long to organize the relief effort. Likewise, Japan is far so the flight is longer.
Also, why other nations didn’t go in to help because when it happened in order to enter Japan they have to have the okay from the government to enter their country.
I do agree that the American Celebrities didn’t do a lot of fund raiser for the Japanese victims as they did for the 2004 tsunami victims. But I do believe most of them donated their own money to the Red Cross instead.
Maybe Japan is well develop and wealthy country that why they don’t think it needs help as much as other nations. That is just my opinion.
Is there a way to buy one of those 311 tshirts theyre wearing?? I really want one.