LIST: Nadine Lustre, Miss Universe Philippines Beatrice Gomez, and other personalities help raise funds for Typhoon Odette relief efforts
Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) ravaged a number of cities in Visayas and Mindanao province as it made landfall nine times starting on Dec. 16.
With over 200 fatalities, 300,000 evacuated Filipinos, and several areas without power and communications in the aftermath of the country's strongest storm of the year, relief operations and donation drives are currently in place to help those who were affected.
Here's a running list of some of the celebrities and online personalities who have been using their platforms to help provide aid to the affected communities.
Nadine Lustre
Having spent most of her time in Siargao this 2021, Lustre shared on Dec. 17 that she was "frantic" with the news of Odette devastating the island.
I’ve been frantic all day.
— Nadine Lustre (@hello_nadine) December 17, 2021
my cortisol level hasn’t been this high in ages.
I can’t even think straight.
Please, let’s all help everyone affected by Typhoon Odette.
On Dec. 19, Lustre announced via Instagram Stories that she was accepting in-kind donations in Quezon City's The Pop Up Katipunan until 6 PM that day.
She went on to ask her followers if they knew anyone who had access to satellite phones. Satellite phones are radio-based phones used in emergency situations when the signal is down, which is the current situation in Siargao and other Odette-affected communities.
A number of her fans have also come together to raise over P110,000 to donate to Siago Beach Resort and the non-government youth organization The Future PH. Nadine promptly expressed her gratitude.
THANK YOU!!! ?❤️ https://t.co/1JNQEUDx6f
— Nadine Lustre (@hello_nadine) December 18, 2021
Andi Eigenmann
With their Siargao home also ravaged by Typhoon Odette, Eigenmann shared that she will be utilizing her family's Happy Islanders YouTube channel to lend a hand.
In the vlog of her eldest daughter Ellie's 10th birthday recorded before the typhoon and posted on Dec. 19, Eigenmann shared that the earnings from her upcoming December vlogs will go to those that have lost their homes and livelihoods from the storm.
In the intro of the video, the actress wrote: "On December 16, 2021, Typhoon Odette hit Siargao Island (and other neighboring islands and provinces) and devastated our island home. We are grateful that our family and friends are safe, but most of them have lost their homes and are in need of food, water, among others."
"With this, we will be using our earnings from our coming videos to help slowly rebuild our island home again. Motindog ra ta pagbalik, Siargao."
Beatrice Luigi Gomez
Cebuana Beatrice joined the call for donations from Miss Universe Philippines in partnership with Simply Share Foundation and the Naval Reserve Center of Eastern Visayas.
"I was on FaceTime with my sister and mama when the storm was just about to hit. It only took minutes from a happy conversation to shift into a ghastly phone call as I heard them struggle the entire night," the beauty queen said on Instagram.
"It’s only a few days away until Christmas and yet my heart bleeds for Cebu. My family’s home is just one of many devastated by one of the strongest typhoons that hit Cebu and the surrounding provinces."
Richard Yap
With his family based in Cebu, Yap shared that they had also gone through the wringer when the storm hit on Dec. 16.
"After Typhoon Odette ravaged Cebu, the city was in total blackout, no electricity, no water, people lining up for fuel, no internet or phone connectivity," the actor shared on Instagram. "Power lines were down and not enough people were seen out in the streets doing clearing operations. Stores were closed and even though we badly wanted to donate roofing sheets we couldn’t get money from the ATM’s."
He added that his team is now accepting donations to distribute roofing sheets and other necessities to those in need in the area.
Slater Young
With their family home in Cebu also one of the many affected houses, Slater Young shared that he has been utilizing his company factory to house their homeless workers.
"We have family members that lost their homes. Liteblock got looted. A lot of our employees are now homeless - using our factory as a temporary shelter for them. We’re trying to help out where we can. Praying for everyone," he captioned on Instagram with videos of the wrecked streets.
Setsuna Ignacio (AkoSiDogie)
Video game streamer AkoSiDogie also shared that he will no longer be doing a giveaway for his Hyundai Genesis, but will be selling it for P500,000 with proceeds going to the victims of the super typhoon.
"Ayaw kong magpapasko silang ganon," the gamer said with a photo of his car. "Sana maintindihan niyo."
He went on to post the car and its details on his personal Facebook page and disclosed that the P500,000 would directly go for the rice and water donations for Typhoon Odette victims.
