Actress laments 'yearly' disasters
MANILA -- KC Concepcion has tapped the help of her fans in extending the reach of relief efforts for the victims of the torrential rains and floods that have hit parts of Metro Manila and surrounding provinces this week.
The 28-year-old actress-host, along with "Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala" co-star Judy Ann Santos, launched Wednesday a relief drive for storm-hit residents in Cavite and Taguig City.
Speaking with ABS-CBN News at the sidelines of the filming for the primetime series, Concepcion said she has coordinated with former actor and Cavite Vice-Governor Jolo Revilla to help transport relief goods to flood victims in the province.
Cavite, Concepcion noted, is one of the worst affected areas by rains and floods brought by the southwest monsoon and Tropical Storm "Maring."
As of Wednesday afternoon, six casualties have already been reported in Cavite, which has been placed under a state of calamity.
Volunteering fans
Concepcion, who is also the Philippines' National Ambassador Against Hunger under the United Nation's (UN) World Food Programme, also set up relief operations in Taguig on Wednesday.
The actress, along with Santos, brought freshly cooked meals to flood victims in the city, where Concepcion is based.
"Si Ate Juday (Santos) 'yung nagpaluto ng mga hot meals, para naman mainitan 'yung tiyan ng mga [storm] victims na nasa mga evacuation centers, kasi iba parin 'yung pakiramdam pag merong hot meal na pumpasok sa katawan, lalo na 'yun, baha," Concepcion said.
In order to efficiently distribute goods to storm-hit residents, Concepcion said her fans have volunteered to take part in the operation.
"Tutulong din ako, along with my supporters who are helping with the initiatives, sa Taguig... Mga fans 'yung mga di-distribute doon para nakakalat 'yung mga tulong namin, kasi nagta-trabaho pa ako so hindi pa ako makaalis ng set. So I called on the help ng mga fans para makarating doon 'yung mga food.
"My fans have always been willing to support, have always showed... 'yung nagbo-volunteer sila na sumama sa akin sa mga sites. It's my way narin of getting more help," she said.
'Why every year?'
Although Concepcion, as in previous years, is always ready to lend help to victims of rains and floods, the actress said she regrets the seeming dependence on remedial measures following natural disasters.
"'Yung iba kasi nasasanay na sa ganitong disaster... Pero siguro may paraan din kung paano natin maiwasan na maging national disaster 'yung ganito at tumigil 'yung buong mundo natin dahil sa baha.
"Marami namang paraan na maprotektahan pa tayong mga Pinoy. Marami pang ways na maramdaman natin na protektado tayo, 'diba. Kaya sana... kasi every year narin naman nangyayari 'to," she said.
Concepcion is referring to the deadly and destructive typhoons and floods in the Philippines in recent years, including disasters brought by "Ondoy" and "Pepeng" in 2009, "Juan" in 2010, "Pedring" and "Sendong" in 2011, and "Pablo" in 2012.
"Hindi naman pwedeng every year, parating relief at rescue na lang. I mean, bakit kailangan mangyari 'yung ganito when there are ways of preventing it altogether?" she said.
