Like other celebrities, Piolo Pascual is working silently to help the victims of the recent natural calamities that struck the country.
Included in his efforts is the annual collaboration with Sun Life Financial, the SunPIOLOgy Run.
For five years now, the Kapamilya actor has been working with the pre-need business distributor to raise funds for the beneficiaries of Sagip Kapamilya and the foundation Piolo co-founded, the Hebreo 12:1 Foundation.
This year, however, was different because aside from these charities, a portion of SunPIOLOgy Sunset Color Run will be donated to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda and the Bohol earthquake.
In an interview after the run last November 23, at the Bonifacio Global City, Piolo told the story of how their idea to help took shape.
“We started with a show for a cause a couple of years back, hoping and wanting to just help Sagip Kapamilya, para kapag may dumating na kalamidad tulad nito, we’ll have a fund for them and have something to donate.
“Lahat ng proceeds ng mga shows namin, itinatago namin para may maibigay.”
Piolo was grateful that Sun Life has been generous in giving financial support to the victims of calamities this year.
He said that apart from the P500,000 cash donation for Sagip Kapamilya, the company also doubled the money his group raised from the fun run.
“Nagdagdag pa ng P250,000, so malaking tulong para sa mga Kapamilya natin.
“Nakakataba rin ng puso iyong what they’ve been doing with us, for the country,” Piolo happily said.
The run was supported by Piolo’s fellow Kapamilya artists—including Matteo Guidicelli, Kim Chiu, Rayver Cruz, Ejay Falcon, Carlo Aquino, Joem Bascon, and Robi Domingo.
TIME TO GIVE BACK. It seems the stars have aligned for Piolo's plans to provide more help for the typhoon and earthquake victims, as the annual event also became a venue for his fellow Star Magic talents to give back to those who have supported them in their careers.
After the fun run, Star Magic talents performed for free in a concert called Star Magic Gives Back.
For this year, celebrities who joined Piolo in this cause were Bea Alonzo, Sam Milby, Matteo Guidicelli, Yeng Constantino, Angeline Quinto, Dimples Romana, and Pokwang.
Other performers included Ynna Asistio, Bugoy Drilon, Liezel Garcia, Young JV, Bryan Termulo, Jovit Baldivino, and The Voice of the Philippines grand winner Mitoy Yonting.
“Iba iyong pakiramdam, iyong you do something for free, you do something to give back,” Piolo said about the after-run event.
“Sa mga event na ganito, masasabi ko rin na, as an artist, importante rin iyong may ganitong ginagawa para malaman ng mga tao na it’s not all about work.
“Ginagamit mo rin iyong image mo or iyong influence mo to also inspire other people or to help our fellowmen.”
Piolo also said about his colleagues, who offered their talents in the event: “Mararamdaman mo talaga sa puso nila na gusto talaga nilang makatulong.
“I’m thankful because maraming artists ang nagsu-support nito every year.
“Nakakatuwa, nakakataba ng puso kasi alam mong kahit wala silang bayad, pumupunta talaga sila.
“For them to perform for free, it’s a good thing already.”
Piolo assured the public that he and the other foundations will continue the annual event to raise funds, so that they will always have something to share with people in need.