By: Queenie Resmundo
The cases of COVID-19 continuously rises each day. While the lockdowns in different nations are supposed to help in containing the spread of the disease, it evidently has affected many families in their daily lives. Some who rely on a no-work-no-pay job have not been able to go to work while some may not be able to provide proper food on their table due to limited resources.
But amid this challenging time, there’s one thing that is ignited – charity.
Aside from the assistance provided by the government, private sectors and individuals have shared their resources to beat COVID-19. Also, celebrities here in Southeast Asia have taken their part to encourage other people and help those who are in need during the outbreak. Here are the stars with hearts during this health crisis:
Angel Locsin

Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN.
Hailed as real-life Darna (a Pinay superhero character she portrayed), Angel Locsin has been known for initiating charity works in times of calamities. Angel and her fiancé Neil Arce supported the frontliners by putting up sleeping quarters and sanitation tents with the help raised money from her donation drive. She also distributed PPEs to health workers and asked fellow celebrities for donations.
Maine Mendoza

Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon.
Maine Mendoza’s DoNation drive was able to raise Php 587,677.92 which aimed to help households affected by COVID-19 by giving them Php 1,000 each via GCash app. Her initiative was able to help PUV drivers, construction workers, street and market vendors, and other laborers who are unable to provide proof of employment may also avail of the donations.
Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera

Photo courtesy of Marian Rivera on Instagram.
The power couple have their own ways of helping fellow Filipinos during this pandemic. Dingdong Dantes on his social media accounts recently shared how Filipinos can still earn income despite work suspension because of enhanced community quarantine. The actor encouraged freelancers and even high school graduates to apply for home-based jobs offered in JobStreet.com by YesPinoy Foundation.
Gusto mo ba ng trabaho habang naka-home quarantine? May online jobs para sa freelancers, sa mga naghahanap ng alternative work, at sa K-12/HS grads. May home-based jobs din na ‘no experience needed’ at interview na pwedeng sa phone lang! Ayos! https://t.co/PQag88Vn4B #SanaOL pic.twitter.com/sgTc6EzvqN
— Dingdong Dantes (@dingdongdantes) April 3, 2020
Dingdong and Marian also showed their appreciation to our frontliners by sending cooked meals to Quezon City General Hospital. The food was prepared and packed by the couple.
Rui En

Photo courtesy of 8 Days Singapore.
Singaporean actress Rui En known for her role in With You TV series and crime movie Unriddle 2 also took part in supporting their frontliners. Together with her fans, family and friends, Rui En was able to send care packages to healthcare workers. On her fan group’s Instagram post, Rui showed sentiments on the sacrifices of frontliners. The initiative accumulated 2,150 care packages and 3,006 handwritten notes for frontline medical officers.
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Urassaya Sperbund

Photo courtesy of Urassaya Sperbund on Instagram.
Thai actress Urassaya Sperbund reportedly donated a total of 3 million baht to different organizations to help fight COVID-19 in their country. Sperbund is known for her roles in The Crown Princess, Klin Kasalong, and many more. Her fanclub UrussayaClubDotCom posted screenshots of supposed money transfer transactions of half a million baht each to three separate hospitals and another three separate foundations.
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Bela Padilla

Photo courtesy of Bela Padilla on Instagram.
Concerned with the street vendors who lost their livelihood brought by the Luzon-wide enhanced
community quarantine, actress Bela Padilla started an online fund raising which gained Php 3.3 million monetary donations a few days after she announced it. Bela used the funds in buying groceries and distributed the bundled goods to the different cities of Metro Manila.
Almost done packing! Heading out in a bit! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/b3ZvKo2NcJ
— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) March 19, 2020
Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez

Photo courtesy of Sarah Lahbati on Instagram.
Inspired by their fellow celebrities, the newlywed couple have also initiated their online fund-raising via Go Get Funding site. The donations were used to provide urgent medical necessities, food, and important goods for all COVID19 frontliners (health workers, military and police checkpoints) as well as PUV drivers; tricycle, jeepney, bus and taxi drivers.
Several artists in the Philippines have extended their help as well – Kapamilya, Kapuso, OPM artists, theater actors, and many more! With the widespread impact of COVID-19 to our health and livelihood, it’s heartwarming to see stars sharing their hearts to those who are in need and inspire people to do the same.
Remember, a little help goes a long way. Stay home and keep safe!