From typhoon survivors and rescuers to Everybody Sing contestants
Fifty lucky residents and rescuers from Bulacan, joined the ABS-CBN musical game show, Everybody Sing as contestants. After recovering from typhoon Karding, they were treated to a night of light-hearted fun. Vice Ganda, the host of Everybody Sing, teased and brought a lot of joy to the contestants. Their stories of courage and determination were also recognized to inspire those who may also be struggling after disasters.
The “Songbayanan of Heroes and Survivors” fought hard to secure the one million peso grand prize but did not win it. Fortunately, Vice Ganda personally gave an additional P40,000 to their P60,000 initial prize money. The contestants took home a total of P100,000 cash prize.
Analyn Gutierrez, a resident from San Jose, recounted how worried she was when her nieces and nephews lost their homes. “Iniisip ko na kung saan matutulog yung mga pamangkin ko. Tinapangan ko na lang at nanghingi ako ng tulong katulad ng mga damit at konting pinansyal na tulong para makakuha kami ng marerentahan na bahay. Lumapit ako sa lahat ng kakilala ko, mga suki ko kapag nagtitinda ako at naglalabada nilapitan ko. Pati na rin yung Kapitan namin. Sa awa at tulong nila, nakapag-provide ako para sa kanila. Sinabi pa noon ng anak ko “Nanay baka naman sa kakalakad mo eh mapaano ka?” Sagot ko na lang sa kanya “Hindi, kakayanin ko yan alang-alang sa inyo at sa mga pinsan mo.”
Ricardo Marcelo, a rescue worker, joined the show because of the encouragement of the municipal Mayor. Marcelo recalled how difficult the experience was for his own family. “Unang-una po napakahirap po sa kalooban namin dahil sa araw po ng sakuna wala po kami sa piling ng aming mga pamilya. Ibang tao po ang aming kinakalinga. Pero sa awa ng Diyos at sa tulong ng mga ibang volunteers, naisagawa naman nang mabuti at mahusay ang aming pagre-rescue.” The rescue workers and other MDRRMO employees were given the day off to come to the show and have a little down time from their busy work schedule.
Before the typhoon hit, ABS-CBN News and ABS-CBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya were pre-positioned in target areas to provide immediate relief and support to provinces affected by flash floods. Unfortunately, typhoon Karding caused widespread destruction of homes and livelihoods in Luzon. In the first week after the typhoon, the Foundation served 8,391 families from the hardest-hit areas in Pampanga, Bulacan, Quezon,Aurora, and Nueva Ecija. After four weeks, 19,688 families were served because of the strong support of corporate donors and the public. The ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation will continue to aid and uplift families when help is needed most.
