SM Supermalls, together with select members of the entertainment industry, assembled an Operation Tulong Express booth at the SM Megamall Atrium last Nov. 18 to accept donations and encourage people to donate to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

The donations that included clothes, water, food and cash, were contributed to the ongoing relief efforts of SM Supermalls to aid families in hard-hit areas in the Visayas through its partner, Red Cross Philippines.

The celebrity volunteers included DJ Toni Tony of Magic 89.9 who said that this is the least he can do to help brothers and sisters in the Visayas who were left with nothing after the typhoon.

“As busy as we are with our personal schedule, it is good to give back during this time of the season…I have dedicated this whole week to helping by donating and helping out in the ongoing relief efforts,” he said.

He also noted how this is our opportune time for the whole country to come together and extend assistance to the victims of the super typhoon. “We can give back and come as one nation. I think it is just right that we do our part in helping our fellow Filipinos. This is the true meaning of charity and Christmas: giving to those who have nothing. Sharing is caring, and my heart goes out to those who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda,” he added.

Sharing his sentiments is celebrity and model Hideo Muraoka. “It was really disheartening to see all the victims of Typhoon Yolanda losing almost everything important to them, and I knew immediately that I had to help out. It’s really fulfilling to touch the lives of others, especially those who are in need,” he said.

One of the donors was eight-year-old Ethan Jacob Castillo. “I decided to donate my toys…It’s my early Christmas gift to the victims,” he expressed. His mom Cristina shared that when her son watched the situation of the families in the Visayas on television, he sympathized and immediately wanted to help out.

The special one-day donation event saw the influx of donations from various mall goers. Other celebrities who were present at the event was, Angel Benitez, Winwyn Marquez, Cheska Garcia, Doug Kramer, Tim Yap, and Princess Nel, to name a few. Currently, SM Foundation is still accepting donations, both in cash and in kind, through their OperationTulong Express donation booths in all 47 SM Malls.