If Diether Ocampo would be given one wish for his 32nd birthday, he would ask for a longer day.
"My only wish sana paggising ko isang araw, hindi lang 24 hours ang isang araw. Kasi parang kulang na kulang ang isang araw sa akin, e. Parang ang dami kong gustong gawin na hindi ko pa nagagawa," said Diether during his post-birthday celebration with his friends from the entertainment media. The small gathering was held yesterday, July 22, at the Pizza Hut Bistro on Tomas Morato in Quezon City.
Diet, Diether's nickname in showbiz, reasoned that a day is not enough for him with all the work that he has to do.
He is currently working for the teleserye Iisa Pa Lamang and he also has to attend to some of his businesses. Aside from this, he also admits that he has not given enough time for his three-year-old K.I.D.S. (Kabataang Inyong Dapat Suportahan) Foundation.
"Sa K.I.D.S. foundation alone, sobrang dami ng gusto kong gawin na hindi ko ma-attend-an. Ang huli naming ginawa, which is 'A Trek to Remember' project na nagdadala kami ng mga school supplies sa mga bata na naninirahan sa mga bulubundukin ng Mountain Province—Banaue, Benguet. Every year 'yan," said Diet.
The actor was so excited when he related the events that K.I.D.S. had done lately.
According to Diet, they participated in a fundraising event called Share-A-Plate. This was organized to help their feeding program called R.E.D. (Reduce, Eliminate, and Decrease) Under-nutrition.
Diet explained, "Yung event namin, 'yong R.E.D. [Reduce, Eliminate, Decrease] Under-nutrition. Maraming mga malnourished na kabataan natin ang nagbe-benefit diyan. Kasalukuyan naming ini-implement 'yan sa Camarines Sur, Bicol region, dahil 'yon ang pinakamataas na poverty rate."
Aside from these, Diet also did his regular visit to the Philippine Orthopedic Center, where he received the best birthday gift from a child cancer patient. The actor said that he has met the kid before but he never thought that his condition has worsened.
He narrated, "Mayroon akong natanggap na greeting card, parang self-made, gawa lang ng batang may cancer. Kasi noong nakaraan, kasi galing kami ng Philippine Orthopedic Center. So, 'yong isang bata doon, nagbigay ng greeting card, ginawa niya lang. I mean, para maalala niya ang birthday ko at gumawa pa siya ng self-made na greeting card."
NO TO POLITICS. With all these humanitarian deeds that Diether are doing, people might wonder, "Does Diether has plans to join politics?"
"Wala," answered Diether. "'Yong K.I.D.S. Foundation is non-political to begin with. Ayaw namin ng politics."
He also clarified that they get their funds through fundraising events and donations from private persons. "As much as possible, we don't want to get involved in to politics," said Diether.
The K.I.D.S. founding member said that if he has plans to be a politician, he should have done it before. Diet recalled, "Sa katunayan, tatlong beses na ako nag-turn down. Sa Cavite, dapat tumakbo ako as board member, councilor, dapat nga noong huling eleksyon vice mayor."
He said that running in politics never crossed his mind. "Kasi na-realize ko na hindi mo kailangan ng posisyon para makatulong sa tao. 'Yong foundation pa lang malaking responsibilidad na, what more kung hahawakan mo ay isang lalawigan o isang bayan," he explained.
Diet then turned to what actors like him can do to help the less-fortunate Filipinos:
"'Yon ang hindi nare-realize ng mga kasamahan natin sa industriya, e. Malaki ang influence ng mga artista na makapagsimula ng mga proyekto na makaktulong sa mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan.
"Biruin n'yo, kung hindi lang ako ang gumagawa nito, maraming magbe-benefit—hindi lang mga kabataan, even 'yong mga matatanda nating naghihirap, e. Kasi mas malaki ang influence namin, madali kami makaengganyo ng mga tao, nakikita naman nila na may patutunguhan [ang tulong nila]."
With all these responsibilities in work and in his foundation, only one thing is missing, Diether's love life.
Diet replied obliquely, saying that he has found his place in helping and making people happy.
He stated, "Siguro dito talaga ako dinerekta ng tadhana na hindi ko naman inirereklamo dahil alam ko naman na marami akong taong napapasaya."