Dance Mogul Magazine · From the Archive · Community & Service
Pray for the Philippines: The Barbershop Relief Day That Raised $1,860 After Typhoon Haiyan
In December 2013, Razorsharp Barbershop & Shave Parlor, local businesses and Dance Mogul Magazine turned a day of haircuts into relief for typhoon survivors, with Newark students writing words of hope. The full story, updated.
Originally published December 11, 2013 · Updated November 12, 2026 · Dance Mogul Magazine
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File // At a Glance
Event — Pray for the Philippines: A Day Dedicated to Help
Host — Razorsharp Barbershop & Shave Parlor
Organizers — Khalil Malamug and Marjorie Grace Milloria
Raised — $1,860, plus clothing, water and supplies
Cause — Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which struck the Philippines on November 8, 2013
DMM’s part — Raising awareness, recruiting community partners, and notes of encouragement from Newark 4th–8th graders
$1,860
Raised at the first event
14
Sponsors thanked by name
4th–8th
Grades of the Newark students who wrote notes
Nov 8, 2013
Haiyan’s landfall
Why This Story Still Matters
DMM’s headline in 2013 put it simply: people value accomplishments, but they remember acts of kindness. When Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines in November 2013, a barbershop, its staff and a network of small businesses chose to act, and DMM used its platform to spread the word.
This story belongs in the archive because it shows what a dance and culture community can do outside the studio. The original report, every photo and the event video are below.
The 2013 Story: Our Original Feature
From the DMM Archive · December 11, 2013
Original video: Pray for the Philippines event video, from the original story.
Pray for the Philippines was a huge success for their first event. They raised $1,860.00 for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan. While the money was great to receive, the outpouring of care received by way of clothes, water and people traveling from all over to the drop off location was the icing on the cake. Dance Mogul Magazine became aware of the relief efforts via a Facebook post by Khalil Malamug. We immediately knew what had to be done as far as raising awareness. We also reached out to different organizations in the community to see who could answer the call of duty to service others. F.O.C.U.S. Hispanic Center of Newark NJ, Sunrise of Westfield, NJ and Rockefeller Plumbing & Heating stepped up to the plate immediately. We want to thank everyone for thinking outside of themselves and their businesses to lend their support to the relief efforts. People value accomplishments in life, but they will forever remember acts of kindness. Also special thanks to Nurse Anthonia and her nieces Folassde and Bimbola Olaleye for making jewelry pieces that were sold to help generate funds.
Dance Mogul Magazine Staff with Event Organizers Khalil Malamug and Marjorie Grace Milloria.
Special Thanks to all the Sponsors:
School & Rivals
Syndicated Clothing
Vape NYC
Eat Sleep Race
Dance Mogul Magazine
Martino’s Cuban Restaurant
Ronaldo’s
Freebase
Jerz Apparel
CREAM. by Ann
SOLED OUT NYC
GET FRESH
THE CLUB HOUSE BARBERSHOP
SUITE BEVERLY
Part of Dance Mogul Magazine’s donation for the event was to have students ranging from 4th- 8th grade from Newark, NJ write words of encouragement for those affected. It really surprised us that a lot of the students didn’t even know what happened. We all have our struggles and obstacles, but as parents and teachers we have to step up; one person’s disaster is everyone’s disaster. We can’t sit back and wonder why we didn’t get any relief for Katrina, Sandy, etc. when we don’t even pay attention to everyone’s disasters. The energy you give is what you get back. PAY ATTENTION. We ALL can be swept away at any given time. Haiti and now the Philippines are prime examples of that.
“Today was a complete SUCCESS! Thank you to Razorsharp Barbershop & Shave Parlor barbers and staff for being one of the most talented and hardworking groups of people I’ve had the pleasure of working with. A big thank you to the sponsors and volunteers who also helped make today possible! And of course to all the people who made it out despite the first snow of the season- your presence and support is deeply appreciated!” -Marjorie Grace Milloria
“This can give hope to those who are hopeless. We want to lend a hand where we can and really be a blessing to those that need our help. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and support.”
-The RSBS Family
Reproduced in full from Dance Mogul Magazine’s December 11, 2013 story with light spelling and punctuation fixes. Titles and plans reflect that date.
Why Typhoon Haiyan Mattered to So Many
Typhoon Haiyan, known in the Philippines as Yolanda, struck on November 8, 2013, and became one of the most destructive storms in the country’s history, affecting millions of people. Across the United States, Filipino communities and their neighbors organized drives in barbershops, restaurants and community centers within days.
What made the Razorsharp day different, in DMM’s telling, was the mix: barbers donating their skill, local businesses donating goods, a nurse and her nieces making jewelry to sell, and children in Newark writing messages to survivors. It is service as a group effort, and it began with one Facebook post.
How to Run a Community Relief Day
1. Start with what you already do. A barbershop cut hair; DMM spread the word. Use your own skill.2. Ask partners directly. DMM reached out to community organizations, and three said yes right away.3. Collect more than money. Clothes, water and supplies mattered as much as cash.4. Bring young people in. The student notes taught a lesson about paying attention to other people’s disasters.5. Give donations to established relief groups. Confirm where funds will go before the event, and tell donors.People value accomplishments in life, but they will forever remember acts of kindness.
— Dance Mogul Magazine, 2013
Timeline
CULTURE = the scene · CAREER = the work · TEACHING = passing it on · DMM = our coverage
Nov 8, 2013 · CULTURE
Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) strikes the central Philippines.
Nov 2013 · DMM
DMM sees Khalil Malamug’s Facebook post and begins recruiting partners.
Dec 2013 · CULTURE
Pray for the Philippines relief day at Razorsharp Barbershop & Shave Parlor raises $1,860 on the season’s first snow.
Dec 11, 2013 · DMM
Dance Mogul Magazine publishes this story.
Where Is the Story Now?
DMM could not confirm whether Pray for the Philippines became a recurring event, or the current status of Razorsharp Barbershop & Shave Parlor, from a reliable public source as of November 2026. The original did not name the shop’s address, and we have not guessed it. If you were part of the day, tell us what happened next through our contact page.
What has lasted is the model. DMM still believes that a culture publication’s reach is worth the most when it points people toward someone who needs help.
What the Next Generation Should Learn
1. One post can start a movement. The whole day began with a single Facebook post.
2. Kindness is remembered longer than trophies. Accomplishments fade; acts of kindness stay with people.
3. Pay attention to other people’s disasters. Many of the students did not know what had happened. Awareness is the first step to empathy.
4. Small businesses are community anchors. Barbershops, restaurants and clothing brands turned customers into donors.
5. Show up even when it’s hard. People came out through the first snow of the season.
Why It Matters to DMM
DMM’s mission reaches past dance: lived stories that help someone become better. This archive story is service journalism in its simplest form: see a need, tell the community, connect the helpers.
More community stories: Dance and mental health awareness with UBHC, The Spirit of Gratitude and The Legacy.
Pray for the Philippines: Frequently Asked Questions
What was Pray for the Philippines?
It was a December 2013 relief day hosted by Razorsharp Barbershop & Shave Parlor to help survivors of Typhoon Haiyan. It raised $1,860 plus donated supplies.
Who organized it?
Khalil Malamug and Marjorie Grace Milloria organized the event, with Dance Mogul Magazine helping raise awareness and recruit partners.
Which organizations helped?
F.O.C.U.S. Hispanic Center of Newark, Sunrise of Westfield and Rockefeller Plumbing & Heating, plus 14 sponsors listed in the story.
When did Typhoon Haiyan hit?
Typhoon Haiyan, called Yolanda in the Philippines, struck on November 8, 2013.
What did DMM contribute?
DMM raised awareness and had Newark students in grades 4 through 8 write words of encouragement for those affected.
The Story Continues
Dance Mogul Magazine will keep following Pray for the Philippines’s story. If you have updates, photos or memories from this moment, reach us through our contact page. Bookmark this page and check back.
Sources & Further Viewing
© 2026 Dance Mogul Magazine LLC · From the Archive, Updated · A Black-owned dance and empowerment publication since 2010