Justin Bieber Arrives In Philippines For ‘Last Believe Tour Show’ Relief Effort
Justin Bieber has arrived in the Philippines as part of his online relief effort campaign for victims of last month’s Typhoon Haiyan. He performed an acoustic “last Believe tour show” in the devastated country.
Immigration officer Jerome Ollet told The Associated Press the 19-year-old arrived in Manila early Tuesday, December 10, on a special flight.
The singer flew on to Tacloban in the Leyte province to visit typhoon affected areas and a local school.
Bieber launched his #GiveBackPhilippines campaign last week with a video announcement posted on the fundraising platform Prizeo.com.
The campaign has already raised $615, 637 and counting of its $1 million goal since December 5.
Funds are directed to Unicef, Action Hunger and the Philam Foundation.
The teen singer has offered fans who contribute upwards of $10 a chance to compete in a grand prize draw, in which the winner (and their guest) will hang out with Bieber in a Los Angeles studio as he records his new album in early 2014.
“The moment I heard about the tragedy a few weeks back,” Justin said in the video. “I knew I could count on you guys to make a difference. So I’m looking for you guys to help me, help them.”
Rumors of the Canadian star visiting the Philippines sparked on Twitter last week after posts from accounts hosted by nationals noted unconfirmed reports of the singer’s team booking flights.
Bieber didn’t mention his impending trip during a Monday phone guest spot with On Air radio host Ryan Seacrest, after calling in from Perth, Australia where his Believe tour wrapped at the weekend.
Shortly after the radio interview Bieber posted “#GivebackPhilippines” to his Twitter account.
Then on Tuesday, the heartthrob tweeted,
About to go perform the last #believetour show. The real last one and the most important one of the tour. #GiveBackPhilippines
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) December 10, 2013
In addition to his relief effort campaign for Typhoon Haiyan survivors, Justin has also joined artists such as Bob Dylan, U2, Beyonce, the Beatles, Eminem, Kelly Clarkson, and others, in donating a track to a compilation album, Songs for the Philippines. Proceeds go to the Philippines Red Cross.
Bieber also donated graffiti art titled “Pray 4 Philippines,” which he spray-painted onto a section of a Los Angeles wall last month to raise funds for typhoon victims in the Visayas region of the island nation.
The work is reportedly intended for auction along with the spray paints used and a signed picture of the design, TMZ reported.
Nearly 6,000 people were killed and millions more affected by Typhoon Haiyan. International support by aid agencies, governments, celebrities, and donations from people all around the world has poured in since the tragedy.
Bieber sang an acoustic mix of Christmas carols and some of his hits at the San Jose Elementary school in Tacloban.
“UNICEF is very pleased that Justin Bieber wanted to visit Tacloban, and stopped by City Central Elementary School which has suffered a great deal of structural damage,” UNICEF emergency coordinator Angela Kearney said, AFP reports.
“Justin brought a lot of joy, hope and cheer to the hundreds of children who were there,” she added.
A selection of media from Bieber’s visit to Tacloban follows below.
Justin Bieber in Tacloban. cto pic.twitter.com/SnNfLsaGxT
— ABS-CBN Kapamilya (@ABSCBNChannel2) December 10, 2013
Justin Bieber playing basketball in Tacloban with the Yolanda survivors. cto pic.twitter.com/IdtRAU3I6X
— ABS-CBN Kapamilya (@ABSCBNChannel2) December 10, 2013
You smile. I smile ? pic.twitter.com/6jyYJ1ZbQs
— ABS-CBN Kapamilya (@ABSCBNChannel2) December 10, 2013
Bieber in Tacloban. cto pic.twitter.com/Mw48jiBgFV
— ABS-CBN Kapamilya (@ABSCBNChannel2) December 10, 2013
Justin Bieber meets with young typhoon survivors in Tacloban, Philippines pic.twitter.com/s9wBQK1qlI – @AFPphoto
— Inquisitr Showbiz (@IQShowbiz) December 10, 2013
(34) Justin in Tacloban, Philippines today (December 10th, 2013) pic.twitter.com/1nR1OAwxvB
— BelieveTourUpdates™ (@BelieveTUpdates) December 10, 2013
(32) Justin in Tacloban, Philippines today (December 10th, 2013) pic.twitter.com/AmkLe7gcxe
— BelieveTourUpdates™ (@BelieveTUpdates) December 10, 2013
(25) Justin in Tacloban, Philippines today (December 10th, 2013) pic.twitter.com/6v7Kbbnsjf
— BelieveTourUpdates™ (@BelieveTUpdates) December 10, 2013
(24) Justin in Tacloban, Philippines today (December 10th, 2013) pic.twitter.com/EKaiY8Tfzb
— BelieveTourUpdates™ (@BelieveTUpdates) December 10, 2013
(18) Justin in Tacloban, Philippines today (December 10th, 2013) pic.twitter.com/RJxK6xoBEH
— BelieveTourUpdates™ (@BelieveTUpdates) December 10, 2013
” #pray4philippines most touching trip of my life.” – (Justin via instagram) pic.twitter.com/gfilnQKEHz
— BelieveTourUpdates™ (@BelieveTUpdates) December 10, 2013