Red Cross receives P 2.3 M donation from "Cats"

MANILA, July 27 (PNA)-- From felinity to charity. The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) was awarded a P 2,380,000-million check donation from the ticket sales of the Broadway-hit musical "Cats."

For every ticket purchase of "Cats" from November 4 to December 31, 2009, P 250 went to the blood program of PRC.

PRC Governor Rosa Rosal received the check donation during the press preview of "Cats" at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on July 23.

Lunchbox Theatrical Productions CEO James Cundall, along with All Youth Channels President Francis Lumen, TicketWorld President Bob Sewell and Concertus President Bambi Verzo, handed down the P 2.3-million check.

Rosal, who marked her 60th year as a Red Cross volunteer on July 4, is also the chair of PRC Blood Services Committee.

"This check is a wonderful gift for my 60th anniversary with the Red Cross. I am grateful to all the people behind 'Cats' for choosing Red Cross as the beneficiary of the musical production," said Rosal.

"I maybe 78 years old already but as long as I can still walk, I will not stop helping the Red Cross."

The check donation will be used to purchase two commuter vans which will be utilized in blood letting drives, added the PRC governor.

"Cats" is a critically acclaimed Broadway musical based from T.S. Eliot's poems, "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats."

Featuring Lea Salonga, the musical will be performed in Manila from July 24 to August 22. (PNA)