Actor and television host Willie Revillame has responded to a resident’s call for help and donated Php5 million to the typhoon-stricken victims in the island province of Catanduanes in the Bicol Region.
The Wowowin host visited the province on November 8, 2020, days after Super Typhoon Rolly ravaged the area.
Revillame’s team rode in three helicopters to transport medical supplies, blankets, and jackets.
In an interview with GMA News, the network’s 59-year-old variety show host and philanthropist shared that he was touched by Elizabeth Español, a resident of Gigmoto, Catanduanes, when he saw her on 24 Oras on November 6 asking him for help.
Español is from a farmer’s family who lost their livelihood when the super typhoon hit her province.
“Noong napanood ko ‘yon medyo parang hirap naman na balewalain mo ‘yon, e,” Revillame told the media. “Kasi nananawagan na sa’yo, tinawag na pangalan mo… Tapos ito namang weekend na ‘to, wala naman akong gagawin, wala naman akong show, e ‘di gumawa ako ng paraan.”
Willie and his team landed on Gigmoto Central School landing zone where they were welcome by a multitude of typhoon victims. There, he personally met Español.
“Hindi ko inaasahan ‘tong ganitong pagsalubong n’yo sa akin,” the Kapuso TV host addressed the residents through a megaphone after he and his team were transferred to the Gigmoto Municipal Hall. “Si nanay napanood ko sa 24 Oras. Sabi ko, hindi naman p’wedeng matutulog ako na me nakikiusap na tulungan kayo.”
Revillame then announced that he will give donations to the people of Catanduanes.
“Si nanay muna. Sa kanya nagsimula,” he said. “Si nanay pamamaskuhan ko muna ng one hundred thousand [pesos].
“Sa abot kaya ko, dahil ako ay nakapa-blessed na tao, ang Panginoong D’yos ay dinadala ako sa kaitasan dahil sa inyo, ang ibibigay ko dito sa Catanduanes kung ano ang binigay ko sa jeepney drivers. Limang milyon.”
Willie and his team spent overnight at the Catanduanes’ capital, Virac, to be able to have a conversation with the province’s leaders.
The next morning, Revillame turned over a check worth P5 million to the governor of Catanduanes.
“Hindi ko akalaing makakarating ka sa amin,” Gov. Joseph Cua expressed after Revillame handed him the financial aid for the Catanduanes residents. “Akala ko mag-e-entertain ka lang. ‘Yon pala magbibigay ka pa ng ayuda o support sa aming mga kababayang nasalanta. Again, Maraming salamat po.”
“Anytime, basta ho nakakatulong,” Revillame responded. “Anumang pangyayari sa ating bansa, mga pangyayaring ganito, alam n’yo naman ho pinagdadaanan natin, pandemya, mga bagyo, hindi lang naman po isang lugar ang p’wedeng tulungan. Buong Pilipinas po, [para] sa ating mga kababayan.”
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo and six more beauty queens worked during the relief pack operation initiated by Frontrow Philippines for the victims of Super Typhoon Rolly in the Bicol region.
Celebrities led by actress Angel Locsin and beauty queen Catriona Gray organized a crowdfunding drive to benefit the typhoon victims.
Filipino artist Robert Alejandro is offering to draw your kid’s digital caricature in exchange for helping the Philippines’ Bicol region that was devastated by Supertyphoon Rolly (Goni). Visual artist and entrepreneur Robert Alejandro has been raising funds by exchanging donations through a personalized digital caricature.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Wowowin’s Willie Revillame for responding to Catanduanes’ call for help.
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