President’s Star Charity 2016 raises S$7.37 million

SINGAPORE – This year’s President’s Star Charity show, which took place Sunday night (Oct 23) at the MES Theatre at Mediacorp, successfully raised S$7.37 million for beneficiaries in need. 

The President’s Star Charity is part of the annual President’s Challenge, which has 58 beneficiaries this year. They include the Singapore National Paralympic Council, the Children’s Cancer Foundation and the Society for the Aged Sick.

In a touching tribute to the late former President S R Nathan, who initiated the President’s Challenge in 2000, Taufik Batisah and the ITE Show Choir performed a song to video footage from the 2007 President’s Star Charity show, in which Mr Nathan had recited the Desiderata. 

Other song numbers were presented by Tanya Chua; Sezairi; Aisyah Aziz; the cast of the musical Wicked, who sang Defying Gravity; and Taiwanese songstress Chyi Yu, who sang her evergreen hit, Olive Tree. 

There was also an ensemble song-and-dance item by Mediacorp artistes including Udaya, Rahimah Rahim, Tay Ping Hui and Kym Ng together with beatboxer Daniel Bawtan, who has muscular dystrophy; an appearance by Rebecca Lim, who played the piano; and a peacock-themed dance item by Zoe Tay. Taking the theme “Just like you”, this year’s show was hosted by Glenda Chong and Chua Enlai.

Zoe Tay, who was taking to the dance floor for the first time in eight years, said that it was enough that everyone give their best. “When I do charity, I don’t ever look at the amount raised,” she said. “As long as we have done our best, and as long as people give what they can -- especially now that the economy isn’t very good -- we can help other people,” 

Catch the repeat telecast of the President’s Star Charity on Oct 29 at 2pm on Mediacorp TV Channel 5. 

Telepoll donation hotlines remain open until midnight on Oct 29. Call 1900 112 8821 for a S$5 donation, 1900 112 8822 for a S$20 donation and 1900 112 8823 for a S$100 donation; alternatively, donate via www.giving.sg/psc2016 or the Dash app. 

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY HON JING YI