Kapuso singer Golden Cañedo donated sacks of rice to the people from her hometown in Minglanilla, Cebu using the money that was supposed to be for her 18th debut party.
She revealed this in a press interview for the release of her new single “Walang Hanggang Sandali” and said that her family originally planned to celebrate her 18th birthday but her debut celebration did not push through due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She turned 18th on April 5, 2020.
“Ang ginawa na lang po namin is ‘yung money na, which is ‘yung money na gagawin sana namin for debut, binili namin ng rice and then binigay namin sa mga kababayan ko ‘dun sa Minglanilla, sa Cebu. So sa mga tao na nawawalan po ng trabaho nang dahil sa COVID,” she said.
She said that she would prefer if her help was called a ‘gift’ rather than a ‘donation’ to the people. She said that she wanted to give back to others on her special day rather than receiving a gift herself.
“Kasi po, kung sa debut ko iyon, may matatanggap po ako na mga gifts. Pero instead of ako iyong makakatanggap, ako na lang ang magbibigay ng gifts para sa mga kababayan ko,” Golden said.
“Kase naririnig ko lagi, daing sa akin ng lola ko ‘yan sa Cebu na ganito, ganyan, sobrang daming nagihirap, sobrang daming nagugutom. So ang ginawa ko, sabi ko ‘ma, instead of ang pera na ‘yan i-debut ko, isang kain lang sa isang araw, ibigay ko na lang kaya. Ibigay ko na lang sa kanila as a gift,” she added.
The young singer said that she was able to witness the people’s suffering in this pandemic as she saw them crying with the situation that they are in.
“So ‘dun ko po sila (mga tao) nakita, kung paano sila umiyak, kase sobrang nahihirapan po talaga sila,” she said.
She explained that she was still able to have a little celebration with her family. They just had a simple meal and they bonded with each other by singing karaoke.
“Nagluto lang po kame, nag-post lang po ako sa social media na I’m 18 now, nag-message lang po ako ‘dun sa lahat ng bumati, and then ‘yun lang po. Nag videoke lang kame sa bahay, then wala na po kinabukasan 18 na talaga ako,” she mentioned.
Golden wanted to help other people with their basic needs as she said that their family also experienced receiving help from others. She revealed that their family used to line up for relief goods.
She wanted to experience giving help to people rather than being the one on the receiving end. She understands the feeling of great joy whenever a person would receive help from others that’s why she wanted to let other people experience it as well.
“Sabi ko po ibibigay ko po ‘yung gift na rice for them, kase ang iniisip ko kung gaano [kasarap] sa feeling ang makareceive ng ganon na gift. Kase as me before, nangangarap din po ako na sana ako ‘yung nandon na nagbibigay at hindi iyong nakakatanggap” Golden explained.
During the pandemic, schools are forced to adopt an alternative learning system of online classes. Golden said that she is already used to having her online classes since she was already doing them when she had shows and performances.
She said that she always keeps in touch with her family in Cebu via videocall
“Sa awa po ng Diyos wala naman pong nag [positive] sa kanila dahil lagi naman po kame nag videocall every time para magpa-remind po sa kanila na mag-ingat po talaga,” she said.
She also said that she was thankful for her family who continues to support her career as a singer. When asked if she felt pressured about her career now that the country is in a lockdown, she said: “Hindi naman rin po kase kung ano man po ang nagyayari sa akin, accepted naman po iyon ng family ko. If sa career ko, accept na lang po sa worst part if hindi sisikat o mawawala.”
“Kase po nandyan naman po iyong family ko para kung sakali hindi naman talaga ako papalarin dito sa [career ko], try and try lang po. ‘Yun lang po iyong sabi ng family ko saakin,” she added.
Golden Cañedo is the first grand winner of The Clash, which is GMA’s reality talent competition show. She recently released her new single “Walang Hanggang Sandali” under GMA Music that is written by music veterans Ebe Dancel, Jim Paredes, Yumi Lacsamana, and Herbert Hernandez.
