For the first time, Gawad Kalinga presented a roster of celebrity ambassadors last February 21. Even for such a successful and multi-awarded movement initiated by Couples for Christ, partnered by big institutions, and powered by many a nameless volunteer, GK saw the value of involving star power in its cause of building homes for the most impoverished communities in the country as well as other developing countries.
According to GK operations head Jose Mari Oquiñena, they hope that with the help of celebrity ambassadors, GK will be embraced by more Filipinos as the movement aims to enlist a million volunteers through their GK 1MB (Isang Milyong Bayani) campaign.
The celeb ambassadors—Billy Crawford, Iya Villania, Denise Laurel, John Pratts, Uma Khouny, Victor Basa, Kat Alano and Jose Sarasola of “Pinoy Fear Factor”—were introduced during the recently-held Singles For Christ International Conference at SM City Cebu. During a brief, pre-launch Q&A at the Cebu City Hall, the show of force charged the room filled with GK volunteers with excitement. Having tapped youth celebrities, it was obvious as to whom GK wants to send the message.
Billy Crawford said that although he has heard of GK in the past, it was only last year, after meeting former GK head Tony Meloto and learning he was a relative, that he got oriented with what it was all about. When the international singer visited the GK Village of Baseco—the rehabilitated thrice fire-gutted squatter compound in Manila—it became an eye-opening experience that made him believe not just in the movement, but that he, too, can do something. As a celebrity, he gets approached with a number of charities seeking his endorsement, but he admitted that GK was something that truly excited him.
For Iya Villania and Kat Alano, having lived in highly-developed countries before moving to the Philippines to pursue show business, they admitted experiencing culture shock upon seeing the omnipresent slum areas in the country. “I grew up in Australia, and Australia is a very beautiful country. In the 16 years that I’ve lived there, I have not seen homeless people. And can you just imagine how it was for me coming to the Philippines and seeing just that? I was always wishing to be of help, but it’s just too overwhelming, (homeless people) are everywhere! I don’t know how to start or where to go. I’ve also been busy with work and school, but now that I’m done with school and with GK inviting me, it’s perfect timing. I’m just one person but I hope to contribute a little something to GK,” said Iya, who just graduated from De La Salle University with a degree in Psychology.
Kat, who grew up in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, said, “People want to talk about our individual lives but what they’ve failed to mention is that there’s that Filipino pride among the artists, wherein they all want to carry the name Filipino forward. If GK is one chance to give back and put less-privileged Filipinos in a better place, why not?”
Uma Khouny, for his part, gave another reason. “I am a Muslim, and knowing that GK has built homes for Muslim people, I’ve chosen to get involved.”
The rest of the celebrities reinforced their commitment to help GK projects, with John, Billy, Iya, Denise and Uma particularly looking forward to participate in the building of a GK community in Sulu province in Mindanao this April. The Sulu project is being dubbed as the “Bayani Challenge” as volunteers will be spending five days putting up homes and immersing in the local Muslim community.
Of course, there are many things that play in your mind when you come to hear of these things and admittedly, some malicious, as you wonder if these celebrities are just doing these for publicity and other less altruistic reasons. But speaking from experience, volunteering is consuming and never easy. When I used to work in Manila, I had the opportunity to volunteer for a French NGO wherein every weekend we would bring books to the most depressed areas in Manila and try to make an impact among children living on the streets, cemeteries, under the bridges, etc., by storytelling, art-making, and interaction. While personal fulfillment is immeasurable, it’s also emotionally draining to witness such dire circumstances on a regular basis and more emotionally draining knowing that you can only do so much. That’s why there’s reason to be inspired by these celebrities who, with their power and influence, are able to realize what greater good and bigger difference they can make by getting involved.
To date, GK is in over 900 communities across the Philippines (12 of which are in Cebu) and other developing countries such as Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Cambodia, and East Timor. To know more about it, visit www.gawadkalinga.org.