MANILA, Philippines - “We are here to create noise.” That’s Iya Villania speaking in her signature MYX VJ voice about her role as ambassador of HERO (Help, Educate and Rear Orphans) Foundation, Inc. Other artist-ambassadors are Billy Crawford, Kris Lawrence and 6Cyclemind.
This is not the first time Iya gets involved in an advocacy-campaign work.
“I’m also part of Anti-Drug and Global Peace; any (advocacy) related to education, I’m definitely in,” shares the Umagang Kay Ganda host. “It’s just my little way of being able to help others. Life may not be perfect for me but I’d like to think that I’m still very fortunate. What’s being able to help others even in a smallest way? (The foundation) has been quiet for 24 years. It needs (to make) some noise.”
Asked how she and her colleagues intend to educate people about HERO, Iya answers, “It helps that we’ve got this Twitter. We’ve got this Facebook, and we’ve got, of course, TV. We’ll just create as much noise as we can so we can encourage others to also support.”
Hands down, Iya is committed to share whatever help she can offer the foundation. It means seeing her grace its concerts and fund-raising events. This is also a reflection of Iya’s commitment to her work as a performer and to her relationship with boyfriend Drew Arellano of eight years.
Is it true that Iya and Drew are married?
“Kasal? Hindi pwedeng engaged muna?” she answers. “I don’t want to answer the (wedding) question para exciting at may issue naman ako (laughs). Hindi naman ako nag-no-no. Hindi din naman ako nag-ye-yes. (Am I ready to become a Mrs.?) Can anyone say yes to that? It’s not easy to say yes to becoming a Mrs. because so many things come with that. Saying yes to becoming a Mrs. is almost saying yes to becoming a mom, di ba? I can’t say. Kapag dumating na siya, wala na akong choice. Kailangan (na).”
Meanwhile, Iya, Billy, Kris and 6Cyclemind led by vocalist Tutti Caringal will topbill HERO’s series of concerts titled Saludo A Concert for Heroes. Nikki Gil and Piolo Pascual are also expected to grace the musical event. The first leg of Saludo benefit concert is set on Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. at the Naga City Coliseum.
In between performances, the public will get to know more about what the foundation stands for. It serves the children of soldiers who were either killed or incapacitated in action.
Created in 1988, HERO has been giving beneficiaries stipends and allowances for their education (from grade school to high school and college). More than 800 scholars are now working as professionals. At present, HERO supports 700 beneficiaries and accepts new ones.
Aside from checking on their scholars yearly, people working for the foundation are challenged to think of ways to meet the projected fund of P100M in five years and to address donor fatigue. That’s why officers like trustee Aniceto Bisnar Jr. and executive director for operations MGen. Renato Garcia ask individuals and corporations for donations and wish to tie up with schools for scholarships. They put donation boxes at the Ayala Malls while other institutions include HERO as beneficiary for their activities like fun run. With that, anyone can be a hero to our heroes, who are men in uniform.
“My definition (of hero) is someone who, through his actions, through his words and just being the person that he is, becomes encouraging to others,” Iya concludes. “And I would like to thank them (HERO Foundation) for making me a hero.”
(For details, log on to www.herofoundation.com.ph, like HERO Foundation, Inc. on Facebook or follow @HERO_Phils on Twitter.)