If Pinoy Big Brother (PBB): Celebrity Collab edition big winner Mika Salamanca has donated her P1-million prize money to an orphanage in Pampanga, that means the release of the cash prizes from the reality show has been expedited. It usually takes long for such windfall to be actually released to the winners. This is true for most TV shows that offer prizes way beyond a few thousand pesos.

Salamanca and partner Brent Manalo won P1 million each as the grand prize winners in the reality show determined through the text and online votes of viewers. The money is that grand since its producers are ABS-CBN and GMA Network. The Lopez clan-owned media-entertainment company may have had to sell part of their real estate in Quezon City but it admirably manages to hold competitions with windfall prizes.

Salamanca, a Sparkle star of GMA7,  donated the money to Duyan ni Maria in Mabalacat City in Pampanga, an orphanage that provides housing, food, clothing, health care, and education for abandoned and neglected children.

Her family is from Pampanga, so she has always been aware of the orphanage in Mabalacat. 

Will Salamanca’s co-winner also get inspired to donate his prize money to a charity organization? 

Well, let’s wait and see! He’s actually well aware of what his contest partner has done and fully supported her decision. Manalo’s family is from Tarlac, a neighbor of Pampanga.

Salamanca built her career on YouTube, where she shares day-in-the-life vlogs, makeup routines, unboxing hauls, and other surprises with her 4.52 million subscribers. She really has the heart for charitable acts. The Kapuso network reported that after giving her money to the orphanage, Salamanca proceeded to visit a residential institution for the elderly. 

There’s actually some kind of a fever among young Pinoy showbiz idols to donate so much money to worthy establishments in the country.

Kapamilya actor Donny Pangilinan paid a visit to his grade school alma mater just a few days ago and surprised his former teachers with a P1-million donation. 

In the latest episode of his vlog, Pangilinan documented his visit to the Learning Tree Child Growth Center, a Christian school in Quezon City, where he studied as a young boy. 

“For those who don’t know, before Brent [International School] or moving to Laguna, I used to study in this small school. It’s where my siblings and I went; some of my cousins also went here, the children of Tito Kiko [Pangilinan] and Tita Sharon [Cuneta], and kids of Tito Gary [Valenciano]. This school is very close to my heart. I basically grew up here. As a young boy, there were a lot of values that they taught me,” he shared. 

The two young stars’ philanthropic acts are a very good development in Pinoy showbiz. Actually, some young showbiz idols have been pulling off charitable events to celebrate their birthdays in orphanages and hospitals. 

They are not known for donating so much cash to the institutions; instead, they bring food and stuff for the patients and the staff, sing for them, and dance with them. They invite some of their fellow idols to perform and conduct games with the young and aged residents of the charity homes and benevolent hospitals. 

May their elders follow suit. Orphanages and similar establishments can always use a lot of concrete kindness from celebrities and strangers with generous hearts.

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On being well

Thanks to mWell, the Philippines’ first fully integrated health and wellness app, for giving us the opportunity to watch the “shocking” film Only We Know top billed by Charo Santos and Dingdong Dantes.

The screening was held during the launch of mWell’s official wellness anthem, “I Am Well,” performed in a video by Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez. The anthem was composed by the much awarded Jonathan Manalo of ABS-CBN’s Star Music. 

The film directed by Irene Villamor, who is largely identified with Viva Films, was released last month yet in theaters, but we missed its screenings. We’re grateful to mWell for the opportunity of discovering the film’s being an unusual “love story” bereft of romance and sex between its main characters. The film ought to be considered a classic on the ancient phenomenon of “platonic love.”

And it was appropriate for mWell to show Only We Know to promote health awareness since the main characters have health issues they became aware of too late to protect their bodies from perishing.

The mWell anthem underscores the importance of self-care and encourages Filipinos to prioritize their health as an expression of love for those around them.

“I Am Well” marks the beginning of mWell’s latest advocacy campaign, inviting every Filipino to embrace wellness not just as a goal, but as a way of life. In a powerful music video, Velasquez is joined by mWell Celebrity Health Champions to deliver a message of hope, healing and personal responsibility.

Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of mWell and chairman-CEO of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), highlights the larger mission behind the project.

“Our purpose is to provide Filipinos with meaningful access to better health. ‘I Am Well’ speaks to that mission in the most basic language. Health shouldn’t be a privilege. Each Filipino deserves to have a stable foundation upon which they can build better lives.

Chaye Cabal-Revilla, president and CEO of mWell and chief finance, risk, and sustainability officer of MPIC, adds, “This anthem is a declaration that every Filipino is worthy of care. With ‘I Am Well,’ we hope to inspire a shift in mindset — one where taking care of yourself becomes an act of empowerment. Through music, storytelling, and technology, we’re walking with every Filipino on their journey to better health.”

The digital platform of mWell brings this message to life through a complete ecosystem of healthcare and wellness services. While mWell offers teleconsultation services for immediate medical attention, it also champions long-term well-being through accessible digital tools.

Users can consult with family doctors, specialists, and mind health experts 24/7, receive e-prescriptions, and have medicines delivered — all through a few taps on the app.

This advocacy marks a shift toward the importance of preventive health.

Velasquez shares as a lead-in to her music video:  “I believe that our health is our most important investment. For us to take care of our loved ones, we have to take care of ourselves first.” 

“Mind and body must be in sync for us to be truly well. Let’s find strength and support in each other so each one of us can truly say, ‘I Am Well.’”

Beyond the music, mWell is rolling out community initiatives in partnership with local governments and grassroots organizations to promote holistic, preventive health. mWell continues to bring care closer to the families who need it most.

Just recently, a medical mission was conducted in Talim Island, in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), where mWell provided doctor consultation and basic health services to over 300 residents.

With the nearest hospital a 30-minute boat ride away, the initiative offered much-needed care for the island’s remote community.

In Sulu, mWell also partnered with DICT for the launch of “BangkaHealth.” Also referred to as “BangKalusugan,” the project enabled the mWell team and barangay health workers on small boats (bangka) to deliver house-to-house teleconsultations to residents of house-on-stilts in isolated coastal areas. 

All dynamic healthy persons ought to consider theirselves wealthy.