Justin Bieber and his manager Scooter Braun have invited fans from the Philippines to join them at the world premiere of the singer’s upcoming Believe concert-movie.
The premiere for the Jon M. Chu directed film takes place December 18 at Regal L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California.
Bieber and Braun revealed the invitation during their visit to the Typhoon Haiyan-ravaged country this past week, after the recent launch of the 19-year-old’s #GiveBackPhilippines fundraiser drive.
Justin performed a surprise acoustic show — which wrapped his Believe world tour — for children and communities in the worst-hit central Leyte province capital, Tacloban City last Tuesday.
The teen star and his team distributed T-shirts, books, basketballs and toys to children, and were taken to two relief centers in local schools; one, a temporary learning center, the other a home for around 300 families.
The singer also played basketball with local youth and the head coach of the country’s basketball team.
Speaking to Manila’s TV5 television network, Braun and Bieber shared some background on their surprise trip and talked about the Believe movie premiere.
Braun said he realized his protégé was “passionate about helping” out when Bieber spray-painted a graffiti design titled “Pray4Philippines” last month in L.A., with a signed picture of the art and the spray paints later auctioned off to raise funds for the island nation.
In the filmed interview, Bieber said of his decision to join the relief effort ,
“I feel like this is something that was really just strongly in my heart. I wanted to come out here and see these kids, bring some hope to these kids, bring some inspiration and let them know that it’s a big world and God is — God is, great.”
Asked how he felt seeing footage of Typhoon Haiyan’s destructive effect in the Philippines — the November 8 storm killed nearly 6,000 and displaced millions — the Canadian replied:
“It was unbelievable and I said, “How can we help?,” with a perceptible nod to Braun, Justin added, “We came up with a game-plan and here we are.”
(Photo: Bieber in the Philippines, December 10.)
Braun jumped in at that point to reveal details about a select group of Filipino fans who will be part of the Believe film’s much-anticipated premiere next week.
“We’re going to now allow a couple of fans to see it exclusively,” he said, then added, “Then, we’re also going to fly some fans over from the Philippines to his premiere on the 18th.”
Braun said the group were,”people that have obviously suffered,” and they wanted to, “bring some light into their life and give them a trip they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
Since December 4, Bieber’s “GiveBackPhilippines” campaign has raised $923,260 (and counting) of its $1 million goal, with just one day of donating left at the Prizeo.com website.
In a video to announce his campaign, Bieber told fans,
“I’m doing something I’ve never done before: for just a tiny donation to the relief effort, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to hang out with me in the studio early next year and watch me record some new music.
The singer added, “I’ll fly you and a friend over to join me in LA from wherever you are in the world. It’s gonna be awesome. This is something I’ve never done before, and I’m so excited to hang out with one of my Beliebers.”
The Canadian government has said it will match donations sent in by its citizens.
Monies raised from Bieber’s #GiveBackPhilippines campaign will be directed to the United Nations Childrens’ Fund, Action for Hunger, and the Philam Foundation.
Click here for see details on how to contribute.
The people I met need our help. Get involved. #GiveBackPhilippines http://t.co/X6OrXGbk0Q http://t.co/Obr83DU7aK
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) December 14, 2013