Super Typhoon Odette made its landfall in the Philippine area of responsibility earlier on Thursday, December 16, and affected several Visayas and Mindanao regions, destroying the livelihood and properties of Filipinos who were unfortunately caught in its wake.
As of this writing, the death toll had risen from 200 to 375, and survivors are desperately needing resources such as food and water.
The impact of the typhoon, plus the still ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic has thinned the government’s coffers to support the typhoon victims.
“We are trying to raise the money, I was also late (because) I was talking with the budget, alam mo depleted ‘yong budget natin immensely because of the COVID, naubos talaga ‘yong pera natin,” said President Rodrigo Duterte during a disaster briefing last Friday.
While the Duterte Government needs financial assistance to help the affected regions, some celebrities have taken it into their own hands to send help to the people affected, eventually shining a ray of sunlight on the victims.
Actress-philanthropist Angel Locsin earlier on Friday, December 17 have joined Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo’s relief drive for Odette victims.
Her humanitarian efforts, which were also recognized internationally, have been praised by netizens as they call her a “real-life” Darna.
In her Instagram post, Locsin encouraged those who were wanting to donate to send it to the Office of the Vice President, assuring them that they are a trustworthy organization.
Kris Aquino, on the other hand, despite being on vacation with fiancé Mel Sarmiento extended her hand to the victims of Typhoon Odette.
In her Instagram, Aquino revealed that she, together with her sons Josh and Bimby, will personally visit the affected areas to give her relief goods to the victims.
“Bukas po lilipad ako para personal na mag abot ng tulong namin nila kuya Josh at Bimb. Hindi po ako magbabanggit ng lugar, ipapakita ko nalang po sa inyo kapag ‘mission accomplished’ na.
“Malapit sa puso naming mag-iina ang area na ito. Maiintindihan nyo po pag nailabas ko ang pinagdarasal matuloy na plano namin,” wrote Aquino.
Aside from inviting the public to join the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management briefing last Sunday, Kapuso actor Dingdong Dantes went out of his way to encourage Filipinos to provide help to those affected by the typhoon.
“Ang panahon ng kapaskuhan ay panahon ng pagbibigayan. Kaya hinihikayat natin ang ating mga Kapuso na magbigay ng tulong para sa ating mga kababayang nasalanta ng kalamidad,” expressed the actor.
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Celebrities such as Stephanie Denise Dos Santos, Solenn Heussaff, and Karylle, have posted their chosen organizations where donors could send out their donations.
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Meanwhile, actress KC Concepcion has organized aÂ
fundraising event by selling shirts.
On her Instagram, Monday, December 20, Concepcion launched her limited edition “The Sun Will Shine” shirt from her clothing brand, announcing that a portion of the purchases will be used for “rescue and relief operations to the Filipino communities affected by this devastating tropical cyclone.”
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Actress Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo also sent her help to the victims through her Instagram, posting the organizations and their bank details for those interested to donate.
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2019 Miss Universe Catriona Gray who is also an ambassadress of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), shared an “emergency appeal” to the public, and encouraged them to give whatever they can to help the victims.
Gray also shared that staff of PRC are already on the ground assisting the affected areas.
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These celebrities truly embodied the spirit of Christmas, the season of giving, as they search for ways to provide support to the victims.
To those interested to donate, you may send your donations to the organizations that the celebrities mentioned above have posted.
