Coldplay's Chris Martin visits sick fan hours before concert
Although Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has given his time and money to countless charities, he remembers to appreciate the fans who got him to where he is today.
ABS-CBN News reports that hours before Coldplay performed at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds this week, Martin took the time to visit one of his biggest fans, Ken Valiant Santiago. Ken is a medical student at the University of the Philippines-Manila suffering from stage 4 cancer.
Ken's older brother, Kheil, said that Ken woke up extra early and braved the line to purchase a platinum ticket to the Coldplay concert, but because of his condition, was unable to attend. Kheil said, "He does not show he is sad, he said it's okay. But we can feel that he really wanted to be there."
Image: Shane Wenzlick/Getty Images
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Kheil wanted to to do something special for his younger brother, so he posted an open letter on his Facebook page asking his friends and followers to relay a message to Martin and the band.
"Every day in the hospital his hobby is to play music from Coldplay. Some of his favorites are 'A Sky Full of Stars,' 'Adventure of a Lifetime,' 'Hymn for the Weekend,' 'Everglow,'" he wrote. "I am sending you this open letter to ask a little favor if the band could just say "hi" or a short message for him to make him feel better."
The letter reached thousands of people and one important person in particular. Rhiza Pascua, the head of Music Management International and the organizer of the Coldplay concert in Manila, saw Kheil's post and organized the meeting of a lifetime. A few hours before the big concert, Martin paid a personal visit to the hospital to meet his loyal fan.
Chris Martin, you are an angel!!! Thank you for making Ken very happy!! #youKENdoit#HymnfortheweeKENd pic.twitter.com/HfApn6hSs4
— Rhiza Pascua (@itsarpee) April 4, 2017
Ken was unable to speak due to his condition, but expressed his gratitude to the star on a white board by writing, "I can't thank you enough."
Kheil said that Martin asked Ken which song the band should play at the concert. When Ken said they should perform their song "Ink," Martin immediately texted his bandmates to start practicing the song, which they included in the night's setlist.
Martin also gifted Ken with some band merchandise, including his cap, a shirt, a bag, and a copy of the band's latest album.
Celebrities using their fame for good makes our hearts swell.
