Aragon to release Philippines benefit single in coming days

CTV Winnipeg: Single benefiting typhoon victims Meghan Roberts reports local singer Maria Aragon's single benefiting victims of the Philippines typhoon will drop in a few days.

Winnipeg's own YouTube star releases a new single this month. “United We Stand” by Maria Aragon drops in just a few days.

The song benefits victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

"The song is called ‘United We Stand’ and basically it's a song to give hope to these victims," said Aragon.

Aragon shot to fame on YouTube covering Lady Gaga's "Born this Way". This will be her first single.

"The whole Filipino community has been devastated by what happened in the Philippines and I think it's only right that we come together and do something special meant for them."

Aragon's mother has family who were hit by the typhoon.

"Even though it was pretty bad it could have been worse and we were really lucky there weren't any casualties," said Aragon.

Aragon worked with two local choirs to record the song - The Highlights Choir, a Filipino children's group, and the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir.

Naomi Striemer, a 31-year-old artist who lived in Manitoba for many years, wrote the song. Aragon’s manager Steven Nowack said it's the first song recorded for relief aid in the Philippines.

The song is a message to victims and the rest of the world.

"No matter what happens, no matter what bad thing happens, there's always something positive that will come out of it," said Aragon.

The song will be available on iTunes in just a few days. The exact release date is still under wraps.

- With a report by Meghan Roberts