Showbiz celebs lend a hand to Sendong's victims

A blessed Christmas to everyone.

The deadly floods in Northern Mindanao spawned by Storm Sendong may have dampened the holiday spirit, but the tragedy has also demonstrated the Filipinos’ readiness to come to the aid of their countrymen in their hour of need.

What I found most heartening was the swift response of many members of the entertainment community in delivering and distributing relief goods to the stricken families.

Last Monday,Kris Aquino, Angel Locsin, Anne Curtis and Vice Ganda flew to Cagayan de Oro to hand out relief packages.

Kris, who is the United Nations High Commission for Refugees honorary patron for the Philippines, also announced that the agency will be delivering 10,000 blankets, 4,000 water containers, more than 2,000 kitchen sets to the flood victims.

apl.de ap, also travelled to Cagayan de Oro to distribute relief packages. The Black Eyed Peas rapper also announced that he has organized a charity auction in the US to raise money to rebuild the schools that were destroyed by the floods.

"Now, more than ever, I realize how important it is to give back to my country, particularly those most in need…In turn, it feels good to know that I have my kababayans' support," apl said after accepting an award from a bank in recognition of his efforts to help poor children in his hometown in Angeles, Pampanga.

GMA 7 also raised more than P30 million in a telethon for the flood victims.

* * *

KC Concepcion has denied she was leaving ABS-CBN for another network. Rumors that she was quitting moving to TV5 spread after she took a break following her emotional revelation that she and Piolo Pascual had broken up.

Many thought her transfer to the Kapatid station was inevitable. First, she didn’t want to be in the same workplace as Piolo. Second, her mom, Sharon Cuneta, has joined TV5. And third, her manager, Viva big boss Vic del Rosario, has extensive dealings with TV5.

But last week KC announced that she had signed a contract with the Kapamilya network. “I grew up in ABS-CBN and I’m so happy that I am still with ABS-CBN,” she said.

KC said she has a full schedule of projects beginning January but it doesn’t faze her at all. “I’m a workaholic anyway,” she said.

Among her projects is the new teleserye Alta where she will be joined by Gretchen Barretto and Angelica Panganiban. She’ll also be a regular in ASAP.

* * *

The Metro Manila Film Festival began Christmas day with seven entries vying for honors and box-office sales.

The entries are Panday 2 starring Bong Revilla and Marian Rivera; Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow starring Maricel Soriano, Gabby Concepcion, Lovi Poe, Dennis Trillo, Solenn Heussaff, Carla Abellana, Eula Caballero and Agot Isidro; Enteng ng Ina Mo starring Vic Sotto and AiAi de las Alas; My Househusband starring Judy Ann Santos, Ryan Agoncillo and Eugene Domingo; Asiong Salonga starring Jeorge Estregan; Segunda Mano starring Kris Aquino, Dingdong Dantes and Angelica Panganiban; and Shake, Rattle & Roll 13, all-star cast trilogy.

Bong Revilla and some of the cast of Panday 2 rode the LRT last Friday in a unique way of promoting the film.

Awards night is on Wednesday.