A queen asks help for ‘Karding’ victims


Photograph courtesy of Mark Ryan Alvarez Drag performer Precious Paula Nicole.
Drag Race Philippines contestant Precious Paula Nicole called on people to help those affected by typhoon "Noru," locally known as "Karding."
"Hello, magandang umaga (good morning). I hope safe po kayong lahat (you're all safe). I woke up this morning seeing the aftermath of Bagyong 'Karding' at nanlulumo ako (Typhoon 'Karding' and I am devastated)," the drag queen wrote on her Twitter account (@PreciousPaulaN) on 26 September.
She added: "I'm opening the lines of Team Precious, and encouraging all my fellow queens na tumulong sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta (to help our countrymen affected by the typhoon)."
"I heard that in some parts of Nueva Ecjia, two weeks pa bago magkakailaw (before power is restored). They need all the help we can give them," she further said in a tweet thread.
Precious also asked her followers, "If you know someone from Angat Buhay, we want to coordinate with them regarding this."
The executive director of Angat Buhay, Raffy Magno, immediately responded to her tweet, saying, "Hi Precious, our team will get in touch with you."
Angat Buhay is a volunteer-driven, non-government organization recently set up by former Vice President Leni Robredo to respond to poverty, calamities, and other social concerns.
Several ways and channels were set up through which people can course their donations for Precious' relief initiative.
On 29 September, Robredo posted a Facebook Live video, thanking Precious, who made an appearance in the video, and her friends and fans for their donations.
"Salamat sa fans ni Precious. Hindi niyo alam na (Thank you the fans of Precious. You don't know) because of your contributions, ang daming buhay na mababago ninyo (you will make a difference in many lives)," said Robredo, who is also known for inspiring volunteerism and her office's transparency.
She added that their donations will benefit communities displaced by the typhoon, especially in livelihood recovery. She, Precious, Magno, and Angat Buhay Partnerships and Linkages manager Jeff Crisostomo discussed the importance of having a clear recovery program towards sustainable livelihood.
The 11th tropical cyclone to enter the Philippines in 2022 and the strongest so far, "Karding" passed through Central Luzon on 25 and 26 September, leaving at least six dead and extensive damages to agriculture.