Celebs’ thoughts on a rainy day

CARLA Abellana: I thought only about our country.

As Tropical Storm “Maring” wreaked havoc last week, many of us were virtually “under house arrest” that put us in introspective mode. So I asked some celebs about the thoughts running through their heads as the storm raged on.  Nature is trying to tell us something but it seems we are not listening close enough. What we need is a permanent solution and not just a temporary relief. It better get better.

Now that we’re in its aftermath, is “Pain, pain, go away” all that we can say?

CARLA ABELLANA: I set aside thoughts about myself and thought only about our country. What I saw in the news was nothing new, really. But I saw that it was getting worse by the day and realized that we really have to do something quick. It was great seeing the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard involved right away. I also saw even noncelebs reaching out to victims through photos in social media. It amazed me that people were really making efforts. It just goes to show that no matter what your status in life is, there is a way for you to help. It doesn’t have to be financial and you don’t have to go to far-flung areas. Somewhere, someone is in need of help and every individual is capable of helping. The Filipino people are resilient, strong and positive no matter what.

MARTIN NIEVERA: While Maring was raging, all I kept repeating in my head was “Again? Seriously?” As resilient as the Filipinos can be, I still feel we can definitely be spared from the constant fear of floods rewriting our future. I always feel helpless when I see these calamities in the news in the comfort of my very dry couch in my very dry living room. All of a sudden I want to turn into Iron Man and save every drowning child and family. As Tony Stark with just his bank account, I could do wonders during times like these. But unfortunately, I am none of the above. My only superhero strength is my will to help, my song to heal and my heart to pray for a very wet and still-smiling nation. So since I am leaving for a week (right before my 3D concert on Sept. 13) to guest in a couple of US shows of Anne Curtis (Aug. 31 at Agua Caliente in Palm Springs and  Sept. 1 at the Grand Sierra Hotel in Reno), I will try to squeeze every sympathetic dollar I can out of our audiences and bring home their donations to the Red Cross and Sagip Kapamilya Foundation. I may not be Iron Man but I will fly. I will do all I can for my fellow Filipino. I guess moments like these make us all want to be “Super Filipinos!”

MARTIN Nievera: My only super-hero strength is my will to help.

MARVIN AGUSTIN:  I was thinking about how the storms hitting our country have worsened, so the local government units and all of us Pinoys must come up with better strategies to cope with and to prevent floods. It’s already 2013 and yet we still have the same problem. I hope the time will come when no one will have to stay in evacuation centers and wait for relief goods.

MIRIAM QUIAMBAO: I am grateful to God that my family and loved ones are safe and that I am blessed to be [able to] help the flood victims in whatever way I can.

KIM ATIENZA: “Climate change is real. Gone is the era of theory. What we have now is the age of consequences.” These are Al Gore’s words that kept ringing in my head [while] listening to torrential rain pouring nonstop on my roof. Strong habagat and extreme typhoons are now part of my life and my children’s life. We have to act now double time.

JED MADELA: Having been affected by two similar situations in the past, I couldn’t help feeling paranoid about my safety and the safety of others. I realized  that we shouldn’t take things for granted. Instead of pointing fingers at others and blaming them for the “demise” of the country, we should act and do our part.

MARVIN Agustin: Pinoys must come up with better strategies to prevent floods.

SUZI ABRERA: I thought about how situations like habagat/Maring would likely be a regular occurrence. There is no way to fight nature so we might as well be prepared for it. Now more than ever, my family has to be prepared for disasters that may strike again. Planning and preparing for disasters will be a priority.

KZ’s debut album

“X Factor Philippines (Season 1)” grand winner KZ Tandingan is set to captivate everyone with her laid-back voice and soothing music via her self-titled debut album. It includes “Puro Laro,” “Umiibig,” “Darating Din,” “Bakit Lumuluha,” “Killing Me Softly,” “Un-love You,” “Wag Ka Nang Umiyak,” “Scared to Death” and “Love, Love, Love” (which was composed by KZ herself). It also carries the minus-one version of all tracks.

Let KZ’s songs see you through love’s “crazies.”