Philippines stars tweet typhoon support

Filipino celebrities are leading the widespread call to help victims of one of the strongest typhoons ever to hit the Philippines. With thousands feared dead and millions devastatingly affected, Filipino artists are doing their share to uplift the spirit of a weary nation.

The southern part of the Philippines has barely recovered from a devastating earthquake that struck weeks ago, yet tragedy befell the country again as ravaging typhoon Haiyan swept through the area. Local stars such as Sharon Cuneta have been tweeting actively, asking for help.

Among those who first posted messages of concern included television host Bianca Gonzalez and KC Concepcion, as well as singers Jim Paredes and Gary Valenciano.

Cuneta, through her account @sharon_cuneta12, said: “Beloved Cebu... I have no words except I pray for you, I. Am thinking of you, my heart is bleeding... I love you...” Since then, the megastar has been retweeting updates on the status of communities affected by the typhoon.

Meanwhile, @iamsuperbianca used the hashtags #BangonVisayas #YolandaPH #PrayForThePhilippines as she expressed her concern for the victims, saying “Praying for the lowest fatality count possible. Images so far have been heartbreaking.”

Noted director Jose Javier Reyes said on @DirekJoey, “Bless us this Saturday as we ask for divine protection & strength for those battered by the storm. Kapit-bisig, Pilipinas!” and used the hashtag #Yolanda, the name used by local meteorologists to label one of the strongest typhoons ever to hit the nation.

Even US stars such as Kevin Bacon and Alyssa Milano and those who trace their roots back to the Philippines expressed concern or posted messages about the typhoon. @Alyssa_Milano posted a picture on her account with a caption, “Typhoon Haiyan hits the Philippines.” International singer and American Idol alumna @JessicaSanchez said: “I am praying for the Philippines and all my Filipino Blujays this morning in the wake of this horrendous storm! Be safe and stay strong!”

David Archuleta also called for prayers on his Twitter account, “Prayers for our friends in the Philippines and all the areas being affected by Typhoon Haiyan.” Archuleta had a recent concert in the Philippines and appeared briefly in a TV series on TV5.

TV host Lucy Torres Gomez, a congressional representative of the fourth district of Bohol, one of the provinces badly affected by both the earthquake and the typhoon, likewise appealed for help from her celebrity friends and the public. On her Instagram account, lucytgomez, she said: “I need help for Ormoc and other municipalities in the 4th district.”

Kris Aquino was one of the first to answer her calls, while others have joined telethons organised by the leading networks — GMA and ABS CBN, among others — to mobilise support for the victims.

Such outpouring of support from celebrities has been a glimmer of hope for those affected, as the government already has its hands full in addressing the twin calamities that hit the country, especially since another storm is expected to make a landfall in the next few days.