Although he was not feeling well, Diether Ocampo attended the launch of the Christmas postcards of the World Food Programme held this Sunday, November 28, at Pizza Hut at SM Megamall.
He told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of the media, about his experience with hunger as a young child.
"It came to a point, may dala akong kaldero tapos pupunta ako sa bahay ng lola ko o kaya sa tita ko para humingi ng ulam at kanin. I was probably eight or nine years old.
"Dati, dalawang beses lang kami kumakain [sa isang araw] at hati-hati pa kami ng mga siblings ko."
Diether said this was when he and his family were living in Cavite. "Sa slum area, puro rice fields, e," he said.
"Now, I see kids who have one or two meals a day [instead of three] sa isang araw."
He says the government should address the basic needs of children in addition to providing formal education.
"Kahit papasukin mo sa eskwela pero kung ang bata 'pag gutom, hindi makakaisip ng tama. Just imagine, kahit yung mga nanay na buntis, kung gutom sila, apektado rin ang bata. It's a chain reaction."
CHRISTMAS POSTCARDS FOR CHARITY. Diether has been helping the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for the past 10 years.
This year, he is helping the WFP, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell launch the fourth annual World Hunger Relief campaign in the Philippines.
Over 160 restaurants in the Philippines will raise funds for WFP's Emergency School Feeding programme, which aims to provide nutritious meals in school.
They will focus on children affected by armed conflict in Mindanao.
Customers who donate P40 will receive a Christmas postcard autographed by Diether. The proceeds will go to the World Food Programme.
The Christmas postcards are available at Pizza Hut and Taco Bell stores.
Diether is also asking people to become aware of the need for more educational resources.
"We are helping a lot of kids in the Mindanao area. Sa katunayan, isa sa mga kaibigan natin diyan, si Armand Nocum, nagpatayo ng library para sa mga Christians at Muslim. Ang tawag namin diyan, 'Chris-lim.'
"Na-realize namin na pag tumutulong tayo, hindi naman dapat magkaroon ng discrimination o ma-limit ang pagtulong natin," he said.
FELLOW ARTISTS CAN HELP. Diether said that he has spoken to KC Concepcion, World Food Programme Ambassador Against Hunger, about his outreach programs in Mindanao.
"I told her about how we disseminated school supplies in Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat — naikot naming lahat 'yan. Siya rin napuntahan na niya 'yun.
I agree with your observation. Kahit ako napansin ko yan.
How come these companies ask the public for their pocket money tapos ultimately the companies will take the credit for the donations? Kung gusto nila talaga tumulong sila mismo ang maglabas ng pera at tumulong or at least i-match man lang ang monetary donations ng public. Ako, I would go straight to the chosen charity para sigurado. Hindi na dadaan pa ang pera kung kani-kanino.
No difference with the strategy of Willie Revillame.
Another example is Jollibee. Jollibee accumulates donations, donations like USED toys to give to street children. Jollibee created a goodwill and good name from the donations of children. And they even providing bad charity. When you give a gift it must be new, brand new not used or second hand. THey give gift from donations during christmas, why not give new one than used one?
Yong mga politician natin, puro sarili lang ang iniisip, gutom na gutom sa sobrang kaswapangan sa pera. Kurakot dito,kurakot doon. Ang tunay na situation ng Pilipinas ay nakakahiya. Kapag nakatira ka sa ibang bansa,marereliaze mo kung gaano nakakalungkot ang buhay sa Pinas.
Tapos yong mga pulitikong pulpol, pasyal-pasyal sa ibang bansa, di nila naiisip ang situation ng buhay ng mga Filipino. Nakakahiya, sunugin sana ang kaluluwa ng mga bulok na politicians na yan.