[Article] Angel Locsin and Star Magic talents conduct relief operations in Payatas

ABS-CBN stars, led by channel Head Cory Vidanes, visited the hardest-hit areas in Metro Manila to distribute relief goods to victims of typhoon Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana).

Last night, September 28, Showbiz News Ngayon aired videos of Kapamilya stars as they helped people living in the Payatas dump site. Among those who went to Brgy. Bagong Silangan in Payatas were Piolo Pascual, Zanjoe Marudo, Maricar Reyes, Shaina Magdayao, and Serena Dalrymple.

With regards to the tragedy, Zanjoe simply said, "Ganun talaga ang nangyari. Wala tayong magagawa, so ang pinaka-ano na lang, tumulong."

Maricar, on the other hand, urged people to act immediately and help those in need. "One cannot express how sad one feels for these people. Pero pag ganito, kailangan nang umaksyon."

Shaina pointed out, "Nakakagaan ng feeling na nase-share namin ang blessings namin. Pag nangyari ang mga ganitong panahon, artista ka man o hindi, pantay-pantay na lang talaga pag ganito."

ANGEL'S INTIATIVE. For her part, Angel Locsin has been actively participating in the relief operations. "Ilang araw na akong rumoronda at nakikita ko... Iba yung mga taga-rito kasi yung mga taong nakatira dito, never naman sila naka-experience ng maginhawang buhay. Sila yung mga walang second floor na mapupuntahan."

Angel spearheaded a text brigade asking her colleagues to help typhoon victims. "Nag-text po ako kina Tita Mariolle [Alberto, head of Star Magic] and pinapunta nila yung mga Star Magic artists. Nagulat ako at hindi ko po ine-expect. Kaninang umaga, nagulat ako at may coaster tapos nakita ko na sina Piolo, sina Maricar... Thank you sa pagsuporta."

While Angel was organizing the relief operations, little did anyone know that Angel's own sibling almost became a casualty of the recent typhoon. "Almost two days rin siya na-stranded. Nung nakita siya, punong-puno na siya ng putik. Siyempre, medyo nataranta ako kung anong uunahin pero kung kaya mo namang ipagsabay, bakit hindi, di ba?

Other celebrities who helped distribute the goods courtesy of ABS-CBN Foundation were Candy Pangilinan and director GB Sampedro.

credit: Jocelyn Dimaculangan of PEP