Celebrities unite for Yolanda victims

MANILA, Philippines - Local celebrities have joined forces to raise money to help fund relief efforts for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Central Philippines.

Anne Curtis yesterday held a garage sale of her clothes at the Market! Market!, the proceeds of which amounting to P370,000 will be coursed through World Vision for the victims in Tacloban, where thousands are believed to have perished. “What I did today is no where near enough. So much more has to be done to HELP,” Anne told her over six million Twitter and Instagram followers.

Likewise, Julia Montes sold some of her clothes to raise money for the victims. Megastar Sharon Cuneta has pledged some P10M as help. “@AboitizFDN please expect a check of PHP5 million from me tomorrow. The other PHP5 million plus, please expect tomorrow as well, @alagangkapatid. God bless VISAYAS. #BangonVisayas,” she tweeted.

Martin Nievera, for his part, told The STAR that he will spearhead musical shows with the three big networks to generate funds.

“When Ondoy happened, I was in the US and I solicited donations from Fil-Ams and mounted concerts for the benefit of the victims. Now that I’m here, I’m willing to spearhead concerts with Channel 7, Channel 5, ABS-CBN, all in the pursuit of helping our hapless kababayan. When a calamity like this magnitude strikes, I believe wala dapat Kapamilya, Kapatid, Kapuso, all of us should be united,” Martin said on the sidelines of the launching of Ayala Malls’ Christmas theme and activities, which will kick-start on Nov. 19.

Piolo Pascual, who was also present at the Ayala Mall event, said he and his family would pledge a personal donation to the victims.

“My heart goes out to the victims, I will help in any way, I will make a donation,” the actor said without disclosing the amount.

Miss Universe 2013 third runner-up Ariella Arida will lead volunteers of the relief efforts of Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. which is making an initial P1M donation. 

Among other stars who took to social media to rally their fans to help included showbiz couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera who are organizing a benefit run; Angel Locsin, who supports Philippine Red Cross; KC Concepcion for UN’s World Food Programme; and Daniel Padilla, whose actress-mom Karla Estrada is from Tacloban. 

Yolanda also struck close to home for Shaina Magdayao who shared on her Instagram the plight — no communication lines and limited water and food — of her suffering relatives in Tacloban, asking prayers for her father and brother-in-law “that they will be able to rescue lola, my nephew and uncles safely and successfully.”

“I pray for all our kababayan, especially at this time. May God clothe them with his strength and protection,” she posted. 

Meanwhile, more international celebrities are expressing their heartfelt sympathies to the victims of Yolanda.

 US pop star Rihanna, on her Twitter, asked her fans to pray for the calamity victims. 

“Please keep the people of The Philippines in your prayers! I was just there and this truly breaks my heart,” the superstar singer, who held a concert in the country last September, tweeted.

America’s Next Top model host Tyra Banks, on the other hand, posted a butterfly in the colors of the Philippine flag on her Instagram with the “Pray for the Philippines” message, in solidarity with the grieving Filipinos.

Meanwhile, Gene Simmons of the rock-metal band Kiss pledged financial support to the typhoon victims.

Earlier, the likes of Tom Cruise, Jessica Sanchez, Kevin Bacon, Korean drama actor Lee Minho, have all sent messages of condolences.