JASMINE Curtis-Smith (third from left), Celeste Legaspi (fourth from left) and Tessie Tomas (fifth from left) pose with organizers during the launch of White Event online action.
“Financial limitations should not stop a person from helping others. There are many ways you can lend a hand,” said actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith, who knows whereof she speaks. She has visited calamity-stricken areas in Cagayan, Bohol, Bulacan and Metro Manila as an ambassador of World Vision.
World Vision is an international organization that helps individuals and families.
“You can invite other people to help financially by seeking small donations from them,” said the 20-year-old actress. “Spread the word—that’s another way you can help. For young people, it’s not how much money you can give but how far you can deliver the message. It’s important to make people aware of these efforts.”
Jasmine was among the celebrities who attended the recent launch of the “White Event,” an online auction of personal items—all in white—donated by local show biz and fashion celebrities, organized by World Vision and sponsored by Zonrox GentleClean. The auction aims to rehabilitate at least 12 classrooms at the Catmon Integrated School in Malabon City in time for the resumption of classes in June. Funds generated will take care of manpower and materials needed.
Curtis-Smith donated a pair of white rubber shoes, among a few other things. “Singers, actresses and fashion bloggers have the reach, the capacity to engage people,” she pointed out.
Among the earliest star donors are Aljur Abrenica, Julie Anne San Jose, Cat Arambulo-Antonio, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales, Tippy Dos Santos, Celeste Legaspi and Tessie Tomas.
Rehabilitation work
Tomas donated two items from the collection of her son, fashion designer Robin Tomas. Tomas, who is president of the Katbaloganon Foundation, is also active in the rehabilitation of areas hit by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in her home province of Samar. Prior to this, she was part of the group Community and Family Services International, an affiliate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“The group’s focus was to help communities in Mindanao that were displaced by the war,” said Tomas. “As president of the Katbaloganon Foundation, I recently visited different places in Samar to see what else we can do to help.”
Singer-actress Celeste Legaspi donated a white vintage top by designer Patis Tesoro, also among other things. “I’d like to think our celebrity helps in promoting worthy causes such as this, but I wouldn’t know how effective we are unless we see the outcome in pesos and centavos. But it’s nice that I am able to help.”
Legaspi also supports the orphanage Cribs Foundation. “I have a soft spot for babies. My daughters and I spent the morning of my 60th birthday there. We gave toys to the babies and played with them. It was very personal for each one of us. One of my daughters, who was already married for two years and still had no baby, felt she was blessed by the experience. She got pregnant shortly after that.”
Other World Vision ambassadors are actors Derek Ramsay, Nikki Gil, Miriam Quiambao, Eula Valdes, TV host Marc Nelson, broadcaster Jing Castañeda, fashion blogger Kryz Uy, and celebrity couple Cheska and Doug Kramer.
A Fil-Australian, Curtis-Smith first joined World Vision Australia in 2008. She became its ambassador in the Philippines in 2011. “I have joined many outreach projects for the organization, including the rehabilitation program last year in (Maribojoc,) Bohol, where we helped build houses for earthquake survivors,” she told the Inquirer.
Feel passion
“Being on the ground is a whole different experience. You see where the money is going and feel the passion of the people working for the organization. You see how much more help is needed, so you want to give more.”
Visit www.whiteevent.ph for details. Fans can go online and bid on their favorite celebrities’ white garments until May 8.