CELEBS SHARE CHRISTMAS WISHES FOR A BETTER PHILIPPINES

LOCAL CELEBRITIES HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR CHRISTMAS WISHES for a better Philippines amid the controversies, alleged corruption issues and natural calamities the country has faced in recent months.

- By CHARMIE JOY PAGULONG

Several of them joined the Trillion Peso March anti-corruption protests held on Sept. 21 and Nov. 30 in various parts of Metro Manila. Kapamilya stars Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Darren Espanto and Donny Pangilinan, along with Andrea Brillantes, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Catriona Gray, Elijah Canlas, Maris Racal, Ben&Ben and many others participated in the mass demonstrations, calling for justice and accountability over alleged corruption in government flood control projects.

Some showbiz personalities also extended financial aid and offered prayers for victims of the powerful earthquakes that jolted Cebu and Davao Oriental on Sept. 30 and Oct. 10, respectively, as well as for those affected by Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan which hit the Visayas and Luzon in early November. The calamities claimed hundreds of lives.

Cebuanas Kim Chiu and Vina Morales, BINI Aiah and Colet, celebrity couple KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde, among others, donated relief goods and provided financial assistance to earthquake and typhoon victims.

The STAR collated celebrities' responses from various interviews about their Christmas wishes and here are their answers:

Richard Gutierrez: "I wish that every Filipino will be happy this Christmas. Sana wala ng delubyo, sana wala ng nakaw and peace and love for everyone this Christmas."