Donny, nanliit sa natanggap na award

MANILA, Philippines — Isa sa pinaka-nagustuhan at tumatak na speeches sa amin during the recent 9th Entertainment Editor’s Choice Awards o Eddys ay ‘yong kay Donny Pangilinan.

Short but sweet. Unrehearsed at may substance.

Donny received the Isah V. Red award na iginagawad taun-taon ng Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) sa celebrities at personalities na ginagamit ang kanilang kasikatan, influence, talent, at maayos na katayuan sa buhay para makatulong sa kapwa. This year, isa si Donny sa recipients along with Gabay Guro advocacy founder Chaye Cabal-Revilla ng PLDT.

Ipinakita sa screen during the Eddys night ang charitable works na in-spearhead ni Donny kabilang ang pinakahuli na pagka-cut nila ng kanyang dad and business partner na si Anthony Pangilinan ng P3 kada litro ng diesel sa kanilang gas station sa Cavite na sinimulan nila last March, during the height of the oil crisis na epekto ng giyera ng US at Iran. Imbes na magtaas, nagbaba pa sila at ipagpapatuloy umano nila hangga’t kaya.

Pag-akyat sa stage to receive his trophy, inamin ni Donny na nanliliit siya sa napanood niyang mini tribute sa kanyang kabayanihan. “Medyo nakaka-humble po kasi I can’t do these things alone,” panimula ng Star Magic matinee idol. “So, first of all, I wanna thank the Eddys for this but I also wanna thank my team, my family who have been there to support me all throughout. Sobrang suppor­tive nila to a point na they would even help me with my schedules, they would help me make sure that we’re able to pull up with these things even if it means having a lot of adjustments.”

Pinasalamatan din ni Donny ang kanyang Star Magic, ABS-CBN, MediaWorks family, at maging ang kanyang brand partners na tinatawag na aniya ay pamilya na rin ang turing niya.

“A lot of people don’t know this but they would actually contact us if they can support without us having to ask for it,” ani Donny tungkol sa kanyang ineendorsong brands. “And sobrang naa-appreciate namin ‘yon. Really that’s what it’s all about.

“This is a very humbling award,” patuloy ng poging anak ni Maricel Laxa. “Honestly, I don’t know if I’m deserving of it but I really, really appreciate it.

“You know, we can’t solve every problem but we can choose to help one person, we can choose to help one community, one family... do one deed at a time,” seryoso at malalim na mensahe niya.

Hindi umano kailangang maging sikat o maimpluwensya ng isang tao para makatulong sa kapwa. Importante lang daw na may paki.

“Honestly, real change happens when people just choose to care and I think this is a reminder that in order to make a difference, you don’t need to be a part of a select few. It’s something every single one of us can do every single day.

“So, I accept this award as a reminder that serving people is not about how much you can give, how grand your contributions can be. It’s honesty just caring enough to show up and that’s really enough.

“So, God bless... to God be the glory. Have a great night,” pagtatapos niya.

Congrats, Donny and may you never stop caring.