Everyone has their own reason for choosing to help others in need. Kapuso Actress Rhian Ramos has three. "Isa, marami naman talagang nangangailangan ng konting tulong." Rhian shares that in her experience, there is always someone who needs a little help carrying their burdens. Second, she stresses that it's also our responsibility, as human beings, to help others in need. "Nasa tao na lang ‘yun kung gagampanan niya talaga 'yung responsibilidad niya na 'yun o hindi." Third, Rhian says that it's also a spiritual thing. "Iba 'yung feeling na bumili ka ng [gadget] para sa sarili mo, sa bumili ka ng [gadget] para sa kapatid mo. Iba 'yung happiness. "Ako, mas na-a-appreciate ko 'yung happiness pagka may ginawa ako para sa iba."
Rhian is not alone in believing these reasons; many Kapuso Stars also reach out to help, and not just when calamities hit. Akihiro Sato and his fellow Mercator Models (JC Tiuseco, Daniel Matsunanaga, Fabio Ide, Ian Batherson, among others) regularly do outreach projects for Gawad Kalinga, and so do many GMA Artist Center talents. Even the late Marky Cielo has inspired his fans (Tropang Noinoi) to continue doing outreach in many children-oriented centers, this time joined by various celebrities.
As for Rhian, she has a special place in her heart for CHILD Haus, a center for health improvement and life development for children diagnosed with cancer. This is where she spends her birthday every year. "Una ko 'tong ginawa, mga four years ago." Rhian explains that in the beginning, she was joined only by her mother and her handler. But the following year, the Cyberhians (Rhian's group of active supporters) have started to help her out as well. The young star has realized the power of fandom when she asked for the Cyberhian's help in staging her birthday this year. "Talagang humihingi na ako [ng tulong], hindi na ako nahihiya. ‘Yun ‘yung hinihingi kong gift [from those who are offering]." She adds, "Imbis na bigyan nila ako ng T-shirt na baka hindi ko magamit, ibigay na lang natin sa mga sigurado tayong makakagamit. Marami ka pang napasaya." And her supporters have been very generous with their help. Rhian says that from slicing cakes to asking kids to fall in line, the Cyberhians have done it without any qualms—“ganoon sila kabait; tinutulungan nila talaga ako."
But, Rhian has one wish she can't just ask from her supporters. And it will impact the charity she supports, CHILD Haus, greatly: a new place for the children of CHILD Haus to call home. "I think, really, without this sending away stuff, they [already] have enough things to worry about." Rhian continues, "They're about to lose not only their home, but their method of treatment as well. Who will give them chemotherapy now? Where are they going to do it? "These are people you can actually give their lives back to." "So if you know a place; if you heard of an old school, or anywhere with a lot of rooms and hallways, just let us know." Rhian says, "basically, that's what we need: information, a place, and funding. And that's something we [hope] to do together."
-an iGMA.tv e-magazine, see page 30-31 for this article
http://www.igma.tv/magazine/holidays-2010
