Toni Gonzaga gave her talent fee to displaced ABS-CBN workers, Olivia Lamasan reveals
Image: Instagram/@celestinegonzaga
Actress and television star Toni Gonzaga gave away her talent fee to ABS-CBN workers who were displaced following the denial of the network’s franchise renewal bid.
ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. managing director Olivia Lamasan revealed to the public Gonzaga’s good deed during the Jan. 17 episode of the latter’s talk show, “I Feel U,” for her upcoming birthday on Jan. 20.
“Happy birthday Tin. I am sending you my heart so full of love and gratitude for everything, for all the support that you have given ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN Films, Star Cinema,” Lamasan told Gonzaga in a recorded video greeting.
“Sobrang maraming salamat anak (Thank you very much, child). Thank you so much for staying on with us,” she added.
While Gonzaga received a heartwarming surprise from family and friends for the birthday special, the Ultimate Multimedia Star became more emotional after hearing Lamasan’s greeting.
“Alam niyo po mga kaibigan, ito pong si Toni gave a generous portion of her talent fee, if not all, diba anak? Para po sa mga empleyado ng ABS-CBN na nawalan po ng trabaho nung inorder po ng Congress na i-shutdown kami,” Lamasan recalled.
(Friends, did you know that Toni here gave a generous portion of her talent fee, if not all, right, my child? [She gave it] to the employees of ABS-CBN who lost their jobs after Congress ordered to shut us down.)
“I will never forget that kasi napaiyak mo ako noon sa sobrang kalakihan ng puso mo at kabutihan mo, Toni. Maraming maraming salamat,” the director stressed as she turned emotional.
(I will never forget that because you made me cry over how big and good your heart is, Toni. Thank you very much).
“I pray that God returns your generosity a thousandfold and that blessings may continue to abound you in all aspects of your life,” she added.
Lamasan added that she is looking forward to the day they will be able to work together again as a director-actor duo, emphasizing that their 2014 film “Starting over Again” remains one of her favorites.
Aside from Lamasan, Gonzaga’s parents, Pinty and Bonoy, her sister Alex, her husband, Paul Soriano, and their son Seve appeared on the birthday special to greet Gonzaga. /ra
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