Kim Chiu is proud of Gerald Anderson’s heroism
Bernie Franco ( ABS-CBN Interactive ) 10.10.09
It did not surprise Kim Chiu to learn that her onscreen partner Gerald Anderson had risked his own life to save people who were trapped by flood when Typhoon Ondoy hit the country last September 26. “Hindi naman ako nag-alala kasi alam ko naman na kaya niya ‘yon and nasa kanya naman ‘yung tumulong kahit normal days,” shared the chinita actress. “Kahit sino mang nangangailangan, tinutulungan niya so what more pa ‘yung [na-trap sa] baha tapos buhay pa ‘yung nangangailangan ng tulong?”

Kim recalled that she had tried to check on Gerald earlier that day after she heard from the news flood was rising in his area, but the bad weather made communication impossible. She also got a call from Gerald’s mom who asked for her help because she had no idea where Gerald, his brother, and their friends were. “So tinawagan ko ‘yung handler niya (Gerald) at si Direk Ruel Bayani kasi sobrang nag-aalala ‘yung nanay niya,” Kim said. “Sabi nila, ‘Tanungin mo kung saan.’ Hindi rin alam ng nanay niya kung saan. Ayun nag-alala kaming lahat. Until nung gabi na, nalaman naming nakauwi na siya.” Kim shared that Gerald called her up and told her that he was okay and that he was able to rescue people.

For her part, Kim explained that she tried to help in her own little way since was not able to participate in ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya drive due to her hectic schedule. “Gusto ko talagang tumulong pero wala lang time. ‘Yung time na mag-Sagip Kapamilya, hindi natutugma sa oras nila ang schedule ko,” she explained. “So sabi ko sige ako na lang ang gagawa, mago-grocery na lang ako ng marami tapos ibibigay ko na lang dun para may nagawa naman ako.” Kris Aquino announced on The Buzz last October 5 that Kim had donated P200,000.

Meanwhile, Gerald preferred not to talk his heroic deed, saying that the real heroes are the ones who were still out there continuously extending help to the flood victims. “Nagkataon lang na na-picturan ako at artista ako kaya po nalaman ng lahat ng tao ang ginawa ko,” he explained. Nonetheless, he said that he is deeply flattered by the recognition.

In relation to this, the Fil-Am actor confessed that there were several times that he and his friends were in danger while they were rescuing people but he is thankful that no one got hurt. ”I think [there was a] a reason for us [to be there]. Hindi lang ako dapat maging role model sa katabaan ngayon kundi dapat magampanan namin ng mabuti. Kasi kung nakita n’yo lang ‘yung nakita ko talagang magigising kayo.”