David Pomeranz’s music turns one night into hope for families

By Josie M. Ziman

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — For six cancer patients and their families, help arrived through an evening of music, generosity, and community.

That was the purpose behind Filipino American Cancer Care’s (FACC) charity concert featuring legendary singer-songwriter David Pomeranz on June 6, 2026, at the Philippine Cultural Center in Virginia Beach.

The benefit concert marked Pomeranz’s first performance in Virginia Beach and his second fundraiser for FACC, a Virginia-based nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance, patient advocacy, education, and support to cancer patients and their families.

Pomeranz has held a singular place in Filipino musical life for more than four decades. He belongs to a small group of Western balladeers who found lasting kinship with Filipino audiences, with ballads such as “Got to Believe in Magic” and “King and Queen of Hearts” enduring as karaoke and radio staples across generations.

He is also known for lending that following to charitable causes. Throughout his career, Pomeranz has integrated philanthropy with his performances, often waiving fees for benefit concerts to aid disaster relief and community causes.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit six cancer patients, including a 19-month-old boy diagnosed with a rare yolk sac tumor, a rare germ cell tumor. The assistance will help ease the financial burden of treatment while showing patients and their families that they are not facing cancer alone.

The evening featured performances by David Pomeranz, tenor Allan Palacios Chan, and FACC Ambassadors Dave Valeriano, Katrina Manabat, and Arrow Bulos-Peralta; the Vocalists and Champions; and the FACC Rhythm Ensemble.

One of the evening’s most memorable performances came when Pomeranz and Chan sang “The Impossible Dream.” Their duet drew enthusiastic applause from the audience and reflected the courage shown every day by cancer patients and survivors.

Later, Pomeranz invited guests onto the dance floor as he performed “King and Queen of Hearts.” Couples, families, and friends danced together while others sang along from their tables, turning the ballroom into a joyful celebration.

Throughout the evening, Pomeranz spent time greeting supporters, volunteers, sponsors, and guests. In recognition of his continued generosity and support of cancer advocacy, FACC presented him with its Philanthropic Hero Award.

For Monica Galozo, an emcee and FACC volunteer from Virginia Beach, the concert represented months of reaching out to members of the local community and encouraging them to support the fundraiser.

“I reached out to many people in Virginia Beach because I believed in what FACC is doing,” Galozo said. “It took a lot of work, but I knew the concert would help cancer patients and their families. Seeing people come together for that reason made everything worthwhile.”

Galozo said she was grateful to everyone who attended, volunteered, sponsored, or donated, adding that the support shown by the Virginia Beach community helped make the event a success.

FACC Ambassador Arrow Bulos-Peralta, an oncology nurse, said the concert gave him an opportunity to combine his profession with his love of music.

“As an oncology nurse, I care for cancer patients every day, so this concert had a special meaning for me,” Bulos-Peralta said. “Being able to perform while helping raise funds for people affected by cancer was both an honor and a privilege. I hope our music brought comfort and encouragement to the patients and families we were there to support.”

Behind the scenes, months of planning and coordination went into producing the event.

Roy Anderson, who helped oversee stage operations, artist logistics, technical production, and guest activities, said the success of the concert reflected the dedication of everyone involved.

“Everything had to come together at the right time,” Anderson said. “The performers, volunteers, technical crew, and everyone working behind the scenes shared the same goal. Seeing people enjoy the evening while knowing it would benefit cancer patients made all the preparation worthwhile.”

Among Anderson’s favorite memories was sharing a dance with his wife during “King and Queen of Hearts” before meeting Pomeranz backstage.

One of the beneficiaries is Darwin Gomez, 35, originally from Santa Fe, Leyte, Philippines. A former chemistry professor at Eastern Visayas State University in Tacloban City, Gomez is pursuing a doctorate at Virginia Tech while undergoing treatment for stage 4 colorectal cancer.

Living alone in the United States has made his cancer journey especially difficult.

“Being away from my family while fighting cancer has been one of the hardest experiences of my life,” Gomez said. “There are days when I miss home, my loved ones, and even simple Filipino meals. Through FACC, I found support, friendship, and people who truly care. They made me feel that I am not alone in this journey.”

Gomez said the financial assistance from FACC will help him continue his treatment while pursuing his doctorate, allowing him to focus on both his health and his studies.

FACC Ambassador Dave Valeriano, who has previously performed with David Pomeranz, said sharing the stage with the award-winning singer was once again a meaningful experience.

“Performing with David again was something I’ll always treasure,” Valeriano said. “He’s not only an incredible artist but also someone who willingly shares his talent to help others. I hope people remember that the concert was about more than music. It was about helping families who are going through one of the toughest times in their lives.”

For Katrina Manabat, an FACC Ambassador, registered nurse, and daughter of a cancer survivor, the concert brought together her passion for music, her profession, and her personal connection to cancer.

“As a nurse, I care for patients every day, and as the daughter of a cancer survivor, I understand that cancer affects the entire family,” Manabat said. “Being part of this concert gave me the opportunity to support a cause that means so much to me.”

She said she remains grateful that Pomeranz accepted FACC’s invitation to return for another fundraiser.

“He could have spent that weekend anywhere, but he chose to help our beneficiaries,” she said. “Sharing the stage with him again was an incredible experience. Watching him during rehearsals taught me so much. He made everyone feel comfortable, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to perform with him again.”

Cancer survivor Roxanne Manabat said the concert reminded her how important everyone’s support can be for people living with cancer.

“As someone who has been through cancer, I know how much encouragement means,” she said. “David Pomeranz was phenomenal, and our local performers were equally talented. What touched me most was seeing so many people volunteer their time and talents to help families they may have never even met.”

She said acts of kindness can give patients and their families strength during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

For FACC Founder and President Josie M. Ziman, herself a breast cancer survivor, the evening reflected months of planning and the generosity of volunteers, performers, sponsors, donors, and supporters who believed in the organization’s mission.

Founded in 2020, Filipino American Cancer Care is a Virginia-based nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance, patient advocacy, education, and community outreach to individuals and families affected by cancer. Through fundraising events, donations, sponsorships, and volunteers, FACC has assisted more than 200 cancer patients and their families in the United States, the Philippines, and other parts of the world.

Although the concert raised funds for six beneficiaries, organizers said its impact extended beyond financial assistance. It brought together health care professionals, cancer survivors, volunteers, performers, caregivers, and everyone who shared a common purpose — helping families facing cancer.

“This concert was made possible because so many people believed in our mission,” Ziman said. “We are grateful to everyone who shared their time, talent, and generosity. Knowing that our efforts will help cancer patients and their families made every challenge along the way worthwhile.”

Editor’s Note: This is a contributed feature by Josie M. Ziman, founder and president of Filipino American Cancer Care (FACC), a Virginia-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance, patient advocacy, education, and support to individuals and families affected by cancer.