Rhian's Passion
Article posted January 03, 2011
You don't have to be rich or famous para makatulong. Many celebrities, Kapuso or otherwise, have proven this by holding charitable events from time to time. Isa na sa kanila si Rhian Ramos.
An ardent supporter of CHILD Haus, Rhian has told iGMA.tv before about her passion for helping children in need of medical assistance. Pero, nang sabihin namin sa kanya na CHILD Haus is something everyone should support and help out, she didn't agree with us.
Rhian tells us that when people are choosing to help out, "dapat isa siyang bagay that personally touches your heart."
For Rhian, her passion is in helping children with cancer. "For me kasi, I really don't think it's fair na pag nagkasakit ang isang bata na hindi mo maku-cure. Kasi nagsisimula pa lang sila, hindi pa nila nae-experience [ang buhay]. Kaya nalulungkot ako doon. Gusto ko silang bigyan ng happiness."
And that's what touches her heart.
"Kung may tao na hindi naiintindihan ang concept of cancer—hindi dapat siya doon tumulong." She says that if a person really wants to help, doon siya dapat sa bagay na talagang may paninindigan siya. "Kung naniniwala siya sa education, or environment—sa mga ganoon. It has to touch you personally."
She adds na "wala kang makukuhang personal na satisfaction" if you decide to just give donation sa isang random institution. That, and you won't be inspired to do more.
Kuwento ni Rhian, "dito sa Pilipinas, maraming mga tao na mababait, gustong tumulong—hindi lang alam kung papaano."
During the relief efforts after Typhoon Ondoy, maraming nakausap si Rhian na mga nag-volunteer to help out. One of her duties then was to answer phones para tumanggap ng donations and pledges. And she shares na karamihan raw sa mga tanong ng mga tumatawag ay "ano ba yung puwede kong gawin?" at "ano ba yung paraan?"
"Gusto kong ipaalam sa lahat na ang tulong, hindi kailangan pera, hindi kailangan gamit." Rhian says that the simple act of cheering someone who needs cheering is a form of help in itself. "Hindi kailangan na payamanin mo sila."
Kaya nga to everyone who asks Rhian kung paano tumulong, she always has this advice: "puwede kang mag-volunteer work."
"Oras mo 'yung ibigay mo; minsan mas importante pa 'yun sa mabibigay ng ibang tao na gamit." Rhian continues na minsan mas kailangan pa nga yung naroon ka't tumutulong, instead of just dropping off a donation. She adds na everyone has to know that money and relief goods are not the only things people need, they also need time and compassion.
"For example, ang GMA Kapuso Foundation actually accepts help of all kinds." Rhian explains that the foundation doesn’t just ask for money, kahit ano lang na puwedeng ibigay ay tatanggapin nila. "[They] really make it easy for people to help."
Dagdag pa nga niya, "kahit magbubuhat ka lang; o kung hindi mo kayang magbuhat, ikaw yung magpapapila ng tao, ikaw yung nagsu-scoop ng pagkain—'di ba? Puwedeng maging madali ang pagtulong sa lahat."
Kayo, isasama niyo na ba ang "give back" at "help others" sa inyong mga New Year's Resolutions? Text by Jason S. Lim. Photo courtesy of GMA Network
Rhian Ramos currently continues her outreach through GMA-7's Puso ng Pasko Artista Challenge, airing weeknights after Beauty Queen.
