Ricky Poca
It is said that natural or man-made calamities bring out the best and the worst in people, and a classic example of this truism is the recent destruction of Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria.
The same can be said of the US states of Texas and Florida where many heroes emerged doing their best to help the people and their communities recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma.
The US government’s relief efforts in Puerto Rico were marred by US President Donald Trump’s insults to Puerto Ricans that “they wanted everything done for them” as far as rebuilding the country is concerned.
In the midst of the verbal exchanges between Trump and the Puerto Rican government, some artists like Jennifer Lopez donated US $1 million and two planes full of relief items for the Puerto Ricans while a famous chef volunteered to raise funds through a cooking telethon.
I am amazed by the way some artists and famous people mobilized their efforts and resources to help people in need.
Unlike in our country where our rich and wealthy artists and important people find it so hard to do what the American artists have unselfishly displayed.
Our TV stations made a lot of money from our people but failed miserably in paying forward their blessings to the people who made them rich. If they do donate, it is always part of promoting their stations and their shows.
In fact, the financial assistance is very miniscule compared to their earned profits.
Recently, ABS-CBN had their grand Star Magic ball in which they donated only P1 million for its Bantay Bata program which is but a drop in the bucket.
The artists came in their elegant and expensive gowns and suits, yet not one of them donated or shared their blessings to the poor and the needy.
I was expecting the artists like the actors and actresses to do much more by donating a substantial amount for a good cause. It is unbelievable that these movie outfits earn so much box office revenue yet don’t donate to the poor and needy.
If they do donate it is always an afterthought and not spontaneous, and it is very pathetic. I am hoping and praying that our world of entertainment would be awakened from their complacency and insensitivity and pass forward the blessings they got from God, Mama Mary and their fans.
They can do this by individually or collectively donating a substantial amount for a good cause for the needy and the poor and become good examples to the public.
Unfortunately, many of our artists are busy fixing their faces and bodies through plastic surgery, displaying a vain and very self-centered attitude.
Why not organize a concert whose proceeds will fund the displaced families and the rebuilding of war-torn Marawi City just like what Canadian singer Celine Dion did for the Hurricane Irma victims in the US?
Though I do appreciate the efforts of TV stations to send their stars to far-flung areas to serve the poor and hope that more programs like these will benefit more of the indigent settlers in the countryside.
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