MANILA, Philippines — Kapamilya actress Angel Locsin confirmed that a senior citizen died while lining up at her community pantry and she promised to help the family of the elderly.
In her Instagram account, Angel said the senior citizen lined up as early as 3 a.m.
“Sa tingin ko, tama lang po na sa akin ninyo na marinig na totoo po ang balita na may inatake at namatay habang nasa pila ng community pantry. Senior citizen po sya na pumila daw po ng 3am at may naka-initan sa pila,” Angel wrote.
The actress-philanthropist said she already talked with the elderly’s family in the hospital to personally apologize to them.
“Bago po ang lahat, humihingi po ako ng tawad sa pamilya. Kanina po pinuntahan at nakapagusap po kami ng personal ng mga anak nya sa ospital. At habang buhay po ako hihingi ng patawad sa kanila,’ she said.
The senior citizen, named Rolando dela Cruz according to reports, was a balut vendor.
“Si tatay po ay isang masipag na ama na nagtitinda ng balut. Hindi ko man po sya nakilala pero sa pagkakakilala ko sa mga anak niya ay mabuti po syang ama at maayos nyang napalaki ang mga anak nya,” she said.
“Sa ngayon po, tinatapos na lang po namin na mabigyan ang mga nakapila. Ang iba po sa kanila ay xerox na ang order sheet nila pero nauunawaan po namin na lahat po ay hirap ngayon at tama lang po na mabigyan sila,” she added.
Angel said they set up a senior citizen tent after noticing that many senior citizens were lining up.
“Meron po kaming tinayong fast lane para sa seniors na tent na may upuan nung mapansin po namin na maraming senior citizens ang nakapila kaninang umaga,” she said.
“Pero hindi naman po ibig sabihin na ini-encourage po namin ang mga seniors na lumabas at alam po natin na bawal po according sa IATF rules."
She also said that the leftover of her community pantry will be donated to other community pantries in Metro Manila.
“Pagkatapos po, idodonate na lang po namin ang mga natitirang goods sa ibang community pantries at barangay,” she said.
She asked the public not to blame other community pantries because of what happened in hers.
“Ang nangyari po ay akin pong pagkakamali. Sana po’y wag madamay ang ibang community pantries na maganda po ang nangyari,” she said.
“Sa ngayon po, I will prioritize helping the family and I will make it my responsibility to help them get through this. I am very very sorry,” she added.
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