Artists Raise Millions for Hurricane Victims During Telethon

Puerto Rican artists performed for hours Sunday during a live concert, which aired nationally in an extended television special organized by the state to raise funds for its hurricane-ravaged citizens.

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Almost 20 thousand attended the free event, relaxing in beach chairs outside the Bacardi House in Cantano. The concert was picked up and carried by the state channel WIPR as well as WAPA, Telemundo and Univision.

Artists such as Puerto Rico’s own El Gran Combo, Tito "El Bambino", Glenn Monroig, India, Cosculluela, and Jean Carlos Canela were a few artists to grace the stage.

A special tribute to the island was written by Glenn Monroig, entitled “I do not quit” which he composed after being inspired by the strength of the Puerto Rican people in the wake of the storm.

"I wrote it about the storm that was expected from ecology versus the economy at the time. It was thought that it would be a major disaster because a country recovers from the economy, but not from the ecology."

Some of the concert’s other featured artists included Melina León, Black Guayaba, Yaire, Shabum, Marileyda, Decimanía, Barak, Pirulo, La Tribu, Christian Daniel, Limi-T21, Julio César Sanabria, Sonora, Viva Nativa and La Secta.

Organizers announced the event a success, stating almost 5 million dollars was gained which will be donated to hurricane relief, however the sum still falls short of the billions of dollars required in repairs.

"In Puerto Rico there are always people in need and in a year this country is not going to recover,” said the singer Tito “el Bambino”, recommending the concert become an annual event.