Gutierrez mobilizes women leaders in major typhoon relief effort

Kababaihan Partylist, backed by Department of Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, has extended aid to families affected by Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan through a P500,000 donation to the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

The contribution was raised through the partylist’s fundraising campaign for disaster-hit communities across the country. The turnover was held at the Kapuso Foundation headquarters, where GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes personally received the donation.

Gutierrez, who was recently honored as one of Tingting Cojuangco’s Elegant Filipinas 2025, said the effort was inspired by fellow awardees seeking to turn recognition into public service.

“Napili namin ang GMA Kapuso Foundation para pagdalhan ng aming mga na-collect na donation para sa mga biktima ng Typhoon Uwan at Tino,” Gutierrez said. “Nagkita kami ni Annette sa Elegant Filipinas event kung saan naging awardees kami, at doon namin napag-usapan ng ibang honorees na magsama-sama para makatulong sa ating mga kababayan.”

Gozon-Valdes thanked the group for its timely response to the crisis, calling it a strong example of women’s leadership in action.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Kababaihan Partylist at kay Usec. Marge kasi actually nangyari pa yung event bago ang mga bagyo, pero naisip pa rin nila na ang GMA Kapuso Foundation ang bigyan at pagkatiwalaan ng mga donation,” she said. “Nakakatuwang makita na ang puso ng ating mga kababaihan ay laging nandyan para sa ating mga kababayan.”

Following the turnover, Gutierrez and Gozon joined volunteers in repacking relief goods, working alongside Sparkle GMA Artist Center executives Joy Marcelo and Tracy Garcia, Elegant Filipinas co-awardee and Villa Medica CEO Crystal Jacinto, and Sparkle artists including Ronnie Liang, Prince Carlos, Althea Ablan, Prince Clemente, Cloud 7’s Fian Guevara, and Johann Yago.

Jacinto, who also participated in the volunteer work, appealed for more public involvement. “Right now we actually need more volunteers here at the GMA Kapuso Foundation. Just a little bit of your time will go a long way,” she said.

In addition to the cash donation, Kababaihan Partylist sent more than 2,500 bottles of clean drinking water to affected families in Liloan, Cebu, ensuring access to safe water in the aftermath of the storms.

Gutierrez said the initiative reflects the true essence of women empowerment.

“It’s about using what we have — our platforms, our influence, our time — to help others,” she said. “’Yan ang tunay na kababaihan: kumikilos, nagmamalasakit, at nagbibigay pag-asa.”