Rhian Ramos used social media to raise funds for Yolanda victims.

We find much use for social media nowadays. We use it to share memories, update our friends on our whereabouts, post photos for posterity, and yes, we also use it for ‘selfies’ and ‘ootds.’ 

During the onset of typhoon Yolanda, many turned to their social media accounts to look for their missing relatives and ask for help. Celebrities also disseminated information through reposting different organizations’ announcements which reached thousands of their followers. 

Kapuso actress Rhian Ramos aired out her sentiments for Yolanda victims Sunday night when she tweeted:

“Na-de-depress ako, I felt bad knowing what happened tapos parang sometimes kasi sa sobrang lucky ko, na-gi-guilty na ko na hindi pantay-pantay lahat,” said Rhian during an interview yesterday.

 It also didn’t help that she gets updated regarding the situation in Tacloban from her friend who is still there. “‘Yung sitwasyon kasi dun, kung paano n’ya ikwento, parang mas malala pa sa nakikita natin. Lalo akong nalulungkot kasi ang hirap ng communication natin dun, hindi din natin malabas lahat ng nangyayari,” she mentioned. 

Rhian said that she felt helpless because she wanted to help but didn’t know how, although one thing’s for sure – she wanted to raise funds. She even tweeted yesterday:

After a few moments, perhaps Rhian had a light bulb moment and she utilized her Instagram account to auction off a designer bag.

 “Nakita ko ‘yung bag sa closet ko, hindi ko naman ginagamit. So I’d rather turn it into something that can save someone else’s life.” 

The Hermes bag costs roughly a hundred thousand according to Rhian’s succeeding post. The winning bid reached PhP 52,000.

 “I’m sothankful na ganun ang puso n’ya. So happy ako,” Rhian says of the winning bidder, @mdlcpar. 

Right after closing the bid, Rhian headed to GMA telethon headquarters where she spent a couple of hours answering calls. 

“Siguro 40% ng calls na natatanggap ko nagdodonate or nagtatanong kung paano magdonate or magvolunteer. 60% may hinahanap sila.” 

Rhian admits that manning the phone lines and auctioning off her things might be small things, but isn’t it true when she said, “I just wanted to help. I just wanted to think of ways to help. Ito lang yung magagawa ko from this distance.”

 Rhian ended our interview with a short message:

 “To the storm victims and their families, I’m so sorry about what happened. Let’s all get through this together.” 

And this is one post that deserves our “like.” 

For anyone who is interested in donating or volunteering for the Operation Bayanihan of GMA Kapuso Foundation, please call the telethon hotlines (02) 981-9950. If you know of people looking for information about their missing relatives in Yolanda-affected areas, please ask them to check out gmane.ws/yolandamissing for the database.

 -CJ Mendoza, Social Media Specialist. 

See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/community/articles/2013-11-12/613/Rhian-Ramos-used-social-media-to-raise-funds-for-Yolanda-victims#sthash.7RsVTBlH.dpuf