Tony Butala, an original founding member of the Lettermen, and an avid scuba diver, Saturday said he is happy to be a part of the effort to save Negros Occidental's natural resources.

Butala, Donovan Scott Tea and Mark Preston, known as the Lettermen, performed live at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City, Saturday evening, for a cause - to save the environment.

The trio paid a courtesy call Saturday morning on Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who gave them the ceremonial key to the city.

The singers were also welcomed by Ambassadors of Goodwill Angelique Robles, MassKara Queen 2006.

The Lettermen later joined the Negros Ecological Foundation Inc. and the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc., which are beneficiaries of the concert, in a ceremonial tree planting at the NEFI.

Juny Lizares, PRRCFI secretary, said part of the proceeds of the show will go to the different projects they have been undertaking. He believes a high profile group like the Lettermen brings to the awareness of the Negrenses and the country that much work has to be done in terms of environmental conservation especially that only 30 percent of our coral reefs are left, he said.

Gerry Ledesma, NFEFI president, said only three to four percent of the Negros forest will be left in a span of 150 years.

Meanwhile, Butula said the group is celebrating its 47th anniversary this year.

He said Tea has been with the Lettermen for 23 years, while Preston was asked to join the group in the 1980's but left in 1988 to return to a solo career. In January 2006, Preston rejoined the Lettermen.

Formed in 1960, the original Lettermen were Butula, Jim Pike and Bob Engemann.

The Lettermen has sold 20 million records and performed in over 7,000 concert shows over a span of 45 years.

During the concert Saturday, the group delighted their audience with their hit songs like "More," "Warm," "Shangri-La," McArthur Park," and Tagalog songs like "Dahil Sa Iyo" and "Ikaw," and even the more recent ones like "Titanic." They ended the show with an acapella rendition of "I Believe."

They also welcomed amateur audience photographs during the show.

The group is launching a new CD this month - The Lettermen Live in the Philippines, which will include Tagalog songs like "Dahil Sa Iyo," among others.

Butala said they are also looking for Ilonggo songs to record.*CGS

back to top