From the # UniTentWeStandPH campaign to provide more than 28 hospitals with tents and raising almost 11 million pesos, Angel Locsin is now looking to raise funds to help with the mass testing in the country.
Last May 18, 2020, Angel Locsin announced the launch of an old fundraising initiative to purchase coronavirus test kits called Shop & Share.
This was the same initiative last 2009 that was established to help the victims of Typhoon Ondoy.
“We had actors, singers, and even basketball players donate personal items from designer bags, clothes, jerseys, jewelry, etc. and we auctioned them off on eBay, with all the proceeds going to the Philippine Red Cross.”
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“And, now, we humbly reach out again. These are hard times, truly frightening times for the Filipino people, especially with coronavirus cases still on the rise. Many have been doing their part in trying to give hope or just to make each day easier for those who are in need.”
Although many have already supported others in these extraordinary times, she decided to revive the initiative in the light of the current health crisis, “And the hard truth is they will remain in need as COVID-19 remains the invisible enemy amongst us changing our lives and sadly disrupting livelihoods.”
This is in response to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque when he finally announced the government’s failed promise on mass testing.
Recently, calls for mass testing have been getting louder on social media since March, when the Department of Health announced the local transmission of the disease.
In his announcement last May 18, Roque said the government still has no plans to carry out mass testing to detect COVID-19 infections in the country, adding that authorities will leave such efforts in the hands of private businesses.
“As much as possible, ini-increase natin ang capacity ng testing kaya nga we’re aiming na aabot tayo sa 30,000, pero in terms sa mass testing na ginagawa ng Wuhan na all 11 million , wala pa pong ganyang programa at iniiwan natin ‘yan sa pribadong sektor.
“Ang localized mass testing ay magko-complement o tutulong sa mga stratehiya na ipinatutupad po ng ating national government regarding expanded or mass testing.”
Due to this development or lack thereof, Angel took up the slack to help get mass testing underway. Actresses Anne Curtis and Dimples Romana also showed their support for the Shop and Share.
Anne hopes that everyone will join in the Shop & Share initiative, “To our fellow artists and colleagues, if you would like to be part of this, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.”
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“We do hope you can join us as we all work together to help flatten the curve in the Philippines in our own little way.”
Actress Dimples Romana, one of Angel’s closest friends, also shared the post on her social media accounts.
The fundraiser is the latest effort that Angel has spearheaded since the coronavirus pandemic hit the country.
