Richard Gomez opened the 14th Goma Cup: A Reunion with a beach clean-up in Boracay last Wednesday, April 22. (Click here to read related article.)
The actor-host said that the small effort hopes to put the "environment" in the consciousness of the Pinoys, particularly those who love hitting the beach.
"Ang kagandahan ng ganitong ginagawa natin, nakikita nila yung mga artista, pati mga bata, namumulot ng basura, it creates consciousness. Kahit pakonti-konti, nakikita nila, 'Uy, puwede pala magtulung-tulong, linisin natin yung beach.'
"Hindi lang yung Boracay, you know, it's really the environment of our country. Dapat [kahit saang parte ng Pilipinas], iwanan natin nang malinis. Lahat ng madumi, kung kayang linisin, linisin natin," stated Richard in an interview.
Richard's wife, Lucy Torres-Gomez, and their daughter Juliana helped pick up trash and collecting garbage. They were joined by other local celebrities: Martin Nievera, Paolo Paraiso, Marco Alcaraz, Drew Arellano, Geneva Cruz, Jackie Manzano, Gary Lising, and Noel Trinidad.
Meanwhile, to jumpstart the first day of this four-day event, a small program was prepared. Local band The Dawn kept the audience alive by performing some of it hits, like "Salamat," "Isang Bangka," and "Enveloped Ideas."
Other celebrities who arrived at the Fairways and Bluewaters Boracay were John Estrada, Jay Manalo, Nadia Montenegro with daughter Ynna Asistio, Hadji Alejandro, Bernard Palanca, Jake Roxas, Robert Ortega, sportscaster Anthony Suntay, and radio and TV personality Arnold Clavio.
PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) also spotted Carlene Aguilar, Jeremy Marquez, Carla Humphries, Joan Quintas, Maxene Eigenmann, and Pinoy Fear Factor participantes Manuel Chua and Jommy Teotico.
Yesterday, April 23, the 14th Goma Cup had its golf tee-off, which took place simultaneously with the watersports events.