WATCH: Alden Richards, Avel Bacudio share temporary blindness experience

MANILA, Philippines — Kapuso actor Alden Richards has been helping fashion designer Avel Bacudio for his advocacy for blind children. 

In an eclusive interview with Philstar.com, Alden said he already met the children Avel is helping and he was emotional when they sang at his concert last year. 

“Advocacy na 'yon ni Pareng Avel 'yon for the longest time, that's why I agreed to help them as well. Actually na-meet ko sila eh. They went to my concert last year and I was very emotional,” said Alden.

“Alam kong pupunta sila pero hindi ko alam 'yung gagawin. Kinantahan nila ko. One of the best voices I heard in my life. These blind kids, they sing very well. That was a blessed moment in my life that I've been experiencing such blessings from these kids that regardless of their disability they can still deliver a great experience to other people through songs,” he added. 

For his new GMA soap opera, "The Gift," wherein he plays a blind person named Joseph, Alden immersed with a charity caring for the blind in Quezon City. He said his immersion included being blindfolded for 30 minutes and sensing his environment using only a guide stick.

"I would be playing a character na may vision before, hindi s'ya pinanganak na bulag. Mas masakit 'yon, mas depressing 'yun. And being able to experience it first time when I went to the institution, mas lalong lumalim 'yung understanding ko sa mga taong nawawalan ng paningin. Mas lalo akong na-excite gawin 'yung role kasi I also want more people to be aware what a blind person is going through na hindi madali kasi you won't be able to see your family, your loved ones grow up, you can't see development around you," Alden explained.

"Medyo nalungkot ako, medyo na-depress ako na parang ang sakit palang dumaan d'un sa process, sa phase ng buhay mo na mabubulag ka," the actor shared.

According to him, losing sight and sensing his environment using only a guide stick was so difficult, yet he treasures it as a "humbling experience" that taught him to treasure even the smallest things he has.

"I realized that 'yung mga normal na nangyayari lang sa'tin sa every day life, we shouldn't take it for granted kasi parang in an instant, pwedeng kunin 'yun eh," he enthused.

Fo his part, Avel began his advocacy after experiencing blindness for three days due to retinal detachment.

“In 30 minutes 'you'll realize kung gaano kahalaga ang sight. Ako for three days, wala akong nakikita pero napapakinggan ko lahat ng usapan, 'yung galaw. Imaginin mo pinanganak kang nakita mo ang pagsikat at paglubog ng araw, nafi-feel mo yung pagmamahal,” Avel said. 

“I have that operation 10 years ago, so now ginagawa ko tong advocacy na 'to because gusto kong matulungan 'yung mga abandoned children. Hindi na sila nakakakita pero bigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon na kahit hindi nila makita ang mundo, maramdaman nila 'yong pagmamahal,” Avel said.

During that experience, Avel said he realized how good life is.

“Kasi iba 'yung nakikita mo sa nafi-feel mo eh. Tapos in a second mawawalan ka ng paningin. Doon ko na-realize kung gaano kaganda ang buhay. Napakaimportante,” he added.  

Alden recently launched his first collaboration collection with Avel, Avel x Alden. 

Part of the sale proceeds will benefit children from the Northern Luzon Association for the Blind in La Trinidad, Benguet. 

The collection, exclusively available in online store Zilingo, includes jackets, tracksuits, pullovers and joggers in shades of black, maroon, navy blue, off-white and gray. These colors were picked as they were the first ones Avel could see after being afflicted by temporary blindness. — Videos and editing by Kat Leandicho