An Unending Urge to Serve: Sam Verzosa

 

This is just one of the few instances where I met Congressman Sam Verzosa (of Tutok To Win Partylist), and yes he's been doing this even before he went into public service. Today was the same as he ventured into the inner streets of Manila, to say the least, spend time and effort for the people who live here. 

He's worked with organizations, in Frontrow Cares, and his show SV Cares in GTV to make sure that he could still lend a hand where he can. His story of success is amazing. Growing up in the streets of Sampaloc, Manila, he wanted to make sure his family would have food on the table, a livable income, and education. He didn't get this outright, so he had to device a way to use his street smarts to find and build a business that could finance his needs and his family. He now owns several businesses and was successful with it because he really worked hard for it. With his capacity yo earn, he now has the chance to help other people which is why he's doing this. He didn't just give rice and basic necessities, but also taught how they could have their own businesses so they too could fend for themselves. He's teaching them exactly what he learned from his life story, he did this in different parts of the Philippines and this time, he wanted to do it in his hometown Manila.

Here's our interview with him during his activities:

Sam says "This is really not just because I'm celebrating my birthday in a few days, this is something that I do on a normal day to help communities. I've been doing this for a while now. I'm glad that Frontrow Cares, different organizations, Tutok to Win, Batang Sampaloc Foundation and SV Cares have partnered up so we can do this for them. We are just continuously doing what we have been doing in the past. We are now in Pandacan, but this morning we also went to Sta. Mesa, Pandacan, Sta. Cruz, and not just give them necessities, but medical assistance too. People need their maintenance medicine, and we included that in our caravans."

He adds "I almost cried when I saw the crowd here earlier, they warmly welcomed me when I arrived. I went to different parts of Manila and it felt special. I received hugs, some people were crying, and this is one of the reasons why I want to do this more on ground. This is why I want to extend help, even if it's out of my pocket, because I have the capacity to do so and hope I could do this even more. As long as I have the capacity to help, I will do it." 

His unending urge to serve is evident, and for the people of Manila, who sees value in this, SV will be in your place soon. He promises to do this as long as he has got the capacity to help, and that's good news.

Foundation Builds PLUS Center for PWD's in Cebu

Exciting news regarding a few more projects of DigiPlus' BingøPlus Foundation as they build a new PLUS Center specifically for sports and physical rehab. The groundbreaking event was held recently in Cebu.

This is a place for Persons with Disabilities so they could work out, do rehab work, so they could function as productive members of society. This was funded with Php 2 Million with the help of Philippine Accessible Disability Services Inc. to empower PWD's so they could also engange in sports, health services and even employment.

According to DigiPlus VP for Investor Relations Celeste Jovenir (BingøPlus Foundation COO) "The PLUS Center will be a place for PWD's so they could become athletes, leaders and more in the future. We are working with PADS to develop world class athletes, to provide training and healthcare so they could do more in sports and related industries."

They also partnered with the City of Mandaue Cebu, Cebu Doctors University, various organizations dealing with the Rehabilitative Sciences, and PWD Federations in Cebu. This will be free for those who are recovering from the effects of strokes, paralysis, and other conditions. This will also become a place where Doctors could train, and provide needed care for those who need therapy among other services. The LGU's and local organizations express their thanks as the foundation will help and benefit thousands of people, the impact of this will surely be insurmountable.

You may check their website to know more about this cause and their CSR work.

VALERIE TAN, ROVILSON FERNANDEZ and Architects Start Different Season 9 of "I HEART PH" on GTV

Everyone was in such a festive mood as we joined Valerie Tan and the whole team behind her lifestyle and travel show called "I HEART PH". It's a magazine show aimed to promote all the best spots in the country, as we love and appreciate the things we see in the islands, and support the DOT's call to "Love the Philippines".

Ms. Vanessa Verzosa, the head of TV8 Media Business says "We still have so many places to discover and showcase on our show. It needs to be seen, our natural resources and environment. Through GMA, we would be able to reach an even wider audience."

Valerie told us "I am so excited and thankful for the opportunities especially this one. I get to do what I love, this is my dream job. I'll take you to more places in the country, interview people and share what we see to all our viewers. This is our 9th season, produced by TV8 who was recently nominated in ContentAsia Awards 2024 in Taiwan. We also have partnered with Habitat for Humanity, which we will discuss in a bit because we'll also look for ways to build homes."

She added "Every week we will have co-host and content creators in the show. In fact, we have some of them here today. Architect Dianne and Architect Dannie Florendo, Architect Ed Ramos, and Rovilson Fernandez. We will talk about being green, in several segments, to make sure you learn how to make your home last. For this launch on the 22nd, we will be showcasing Bohol as well. The producers from TV8 had worked with Habitat for Humanity in the past and they were able to really become productive. People have gone to do DIY projects and we want them to know how safe and affordable in the long run because they did it with an Architect. More than seeing places, I talk to people and connect, that is the best thing about being a host of this show."

Their episode starts this Sunday (September 22) on GTV, make sure you follow their social pages and GTV's platforms to see what they've been working on during their 9th season!

ARJO ATAYDE Reveals More Projects After ContentAsia Awards Win

 

It's been a while since I've last seen multi awarded actor and Congressman Arjo Atayde. He's been very busy, with good reason because after his wedding, he had to really pay attention to his duties as a public servant in the 1st District of Quezon City. The movies/series that he's done a few years ago is reaping fruit, and recently won him Best Male Lead for his role in Cattleya Killer at ContentAsia Awards 2024. 

We celebrated with him, his family, and a few more people from the press. They held a no holds barred interview to specifically get more updates from the busy good looking man fresh from Taipei, Taiwan where he received the it.

Arjo also addressed one of the movie projects where he was supposed to appear but ended up not being in it. His sole reason was because he wanted to be 100 percent in that project and felt it would be unfair to his co-actors if he didn't commit to the role just like them. He also doesn't choose projects and trusts his management about what he does, it is sometimes the schedule that he gets a little trouble with because he has a lot of priorities. The roles he take, is something he is thankful for because it becomes his outlet to be able to express his artistry. He's glad he is not boxed, tied to roles, in his 11 years in the business. He says "Every role I take is a learning opportunity."

People asked about Arjo and Maine on becoming parents and he told us "We are enjoying each others time because we wouldn't be able to do this in the long run. We definitely talk about it but we'll keep that as a secret. We are all excited though about having our pamangkin (with Ria and Zanjoe) and support Ria and Z, it's their story to tell, but we are SUPER SUPER excited and send much love to them!"

Here's the press conference on video, please raise the volume a bit because it was a little too noisy (along the road) but please, enjoy!

Arjo also shared a preview of MOONLIGHT, a film made by US based Isabel Sandoval. She's had great success with previous project Lingua Franca which won awards in 2019, and the Filipina film maker didn't disappoint with what we saw that evening. It's a masterpiece just waiting to be showcased in festivals and platforms. Arjo also showed us scenes from "Bagman" and "TOPAKK" which we loved. Each felt like Hollywood quality, no doubt, and he says this is just the start.

The wins in several award giving bodies would mean more exposure not just for Arjo but for the Filipino talent. Hopefully, this snowball starts an avalanche of opportunities for Filipino actors, those behind the camera and productions that are just waiting to be discovered. His work as Congressman of the 1st District of Quezon City will continue, and he vows to continue to help the communities he represent and make effective laws. He also wants the bills he principally authored (all 223 of them) be implemented well including the Eddie Garcia Law which is for the occupation and safety standards in the entertainment industry.

Thank you for the opportunity to see you again Cong. Arjo! Thank you also to Ms. Sylvia Sanchez who was also there that evening to tell us a few things about Ria and Z. (and for taking care of my Mom during Dessa's concert a few weeks ago). As Arjo said, this is just the start of good things ahead for whatever hat he wears!