LAST week, former actress and philathropist Gretchen Barretto shared more blessings as she distributed, through her team, 1,328 special sacks of rice to the medical frontliners of San Lazaro Hospital. Resident doctor Dr. Cherry Abrenica was just too glad to be in front of the receiving line.

“Mga 2014 o 2015 nagsimulang magbigay ng tulong ni Gretchen dito sa amin. Dinadala pa n’ya ang anak n’ya (Dominique) at mga pamangkin,” says Doc Cherry, who has since become Gretchen’s friend.

In return, Doc Cherry and her group gifted Gretchen with an image of St. Lazarus as a small token of appreciation.

The gift giving for the so-called unsung heroes was witnessed by entertainment writer and Gretchen’s confidante, Francis Simeon, and assistant Grace Medina.

The team likewise led the turn-over of more sacks of rice (3,406) for the medical frontliners of St. Luke’s Global sa Taguig City alongside Gretchen’s other trusted friends, Rusky Fernandez of Resorts World Manila and former actress and businesswoman Ana Abiera. The recipients did not only include the medical frontliners but every employee of the said hospital, including the maintenance and security personnel.

It was at St. Luke’s where Gretchen’s mom Inday and her siblings were confined when they had a bout with COVID 19. Meanwhile, Team Gretchen’s next stop would be at Philippine General Hospital. All employees and medical frontliners will also receive a sack of special rice (a total of 1,800 sacks). Other hospitals in their itinerary of charity are St. Luke’s and National Children’s Hospital, both in Quezon City, and the National Center for Mental Health or NCMH in Mandaluyong City. More hospitals are in the lineup, especially now that the country (and the whole world) is still under the pandemic. For Gretchen, “Love is essential” and continues to believe so, even if some quarters bash her for doing so.

Pokwang goes dramatic in ‘Magpakailanman’

POKWANG goes dramatic in this Saturday’s edition of the long running drama anthology, ‘Magpakailanman’ hosted by Mel Tiangco on GMA7.

Pokwang plays Star, known as the make-up artist of the stars. She has two kids, Erwin and Jinkee with her husband who has migrated to the United States. At the start everything was fine. Her husband always calls and regularly sends money for their allowance. But one day, Star heard nothing from her husband and the remittance stopped. One day, Star’s sister-in-law delivered a letter from her husband telling her that he already found a new woman in the states and was asking for a divorce.

Star bravely continues to be the sole parent of her children, to the point that she was so busy and had no time with her two sons.

Star moved on and met another man in her life. She immediately fell in love again but soon she discovers that this man is already married. Only to learn that she is already pregnant with him.

Again, Star strives hard for her kids until they are older. But she doesn’t end up lucky with them.

This episode of Magpakailanman entitled “Liwanag ng Bituin’ that stars Pokwang also has Jon Lucas, Royce Cabrera and Dave Bornea. It is directed by Monti Puno Parungao, researched by Georis Tuca and and written by Vienuel Ello.