Marian, Mother Lily give back
Does Marian Rivera want to be the next Rosa Rosal, longtime governor of Philippine National Red Cross?
The Kapuso artist recently signed up as the face of Red Cross Million Volunteer Run on Dec. 4 in key cities and municipalities in the country.
“Wala naming makakapantay kay Rosa Rosal. Hindi naman ito paligsahan,” she replied.
All Marian wants is to help the Red Cross as a private citizen and as an artist who can influence her fellow stars to do so as well.
“Na-realize ko na nandito ako upang makatulong hindi lang bilang Marian Rivera kung hindi bilang Marian Gracia, ang buong pangalan ko,” she said in a press conference at the family-owned Imperial Palace Suites.
The Kapuso star has also persuaded boyfriend Dingdong Dantes to block off his schedule on Dec. 4 and join the event with her. Marian said her co-stars in the teleserye “Amaya” will also join the volunteer run.
Her fan clubs are also expected to join the event to support their idol. In fact, a special registration day will be set aside just for Marian’s fans.
Red Cross chairman Sen. Richard ‘Dick’ Gordon sees many possible tasks Marian can do.
“She can go join international humanitarian efforts. She can train on stress debriefing,” he revealed.
Marian seems interested, but would rather do it one step at a time.
“Mag-umpisa muna ako sa babae. Tapos, pag nasanay ako, pwedeng mixed (gender) na,” she relates.
Regal Films producer Mother Lily Monteverde shares Marian’s eagerness to help. The top producer and her daughter Roselle have recently been named members of the board of directors of the Red Cross-Quezon City chapter.
Mother Lily looks at her new job as a chance to give back.
“I will serve Red Cross until I die,” she pledged.
Her Regal Babies are expected to show up and turn the fun run into a showbiz fan’s delight. Among those who are also expected to come are Isabelle Daza, JC Tiuseco, Ervic Vijandre, directors and Mother Lily’s fellow film producers.
“Those who do not have transportation can assemble at Imperial Palace Suites (located at the corner of Timog and Tomas Morato, Quezon City) at 5 a.m.,” she said.
The 5K fun run is scheduled on December 4, 6 a.m. at the SM Mall of Asia.
