Glaiza de Castro is one of the few celebrities that are committed to helping the less fortunate. Last year, she established the Glaiza de Castro Foundation to support children with special needs in their therapies and education. To date, the foundation has helped over 600 children including her own sister’s child.
But the 29-year-old actress-singer wants to do more, a lot more. So when she was tapped by the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association, Inc. as Ambassadress of Goodwill for its humanitarian and charitable missions, Glaiza did not hesitate in taking up the group’s causes.
“When I began my career, I thought my only job was to entertain. Later, I realized that there’s more to my profession than just entertaining people, that celebrities like myself are in a position to help the needy,” Glaiza said in mostly Filipino during the press conference formalizing her involvement with the PCCAI.
Not too many may be aware of it but Glaiza has time and again proven that she has a big, charitable heart. The same year that she founded her foundation, she was also part of the U.N. Women’s Safe Cities Program which aims to increase awareness and stop street harassment and sexual violence against women in public spaces.
“We are much honored to have Ms. Glaiza De Castro to represent the PCCAI in its charitable and humanitarian activities,” said PCCAI President and Chairman Emeritus, Dr. James G. Dy. “We hope to inspire the youth of today to actively participate in humanitarian missions that would help shape this nation for the next generations.”
PCCAI owns and operates the Chinese General Hospital & Medical Center, Chinese General Hospital Colleges, Chinese Cemetery, Charity Clinic in Binondo, and the Home for the Aged, all dedicated to charitable works. It traces its roots as far back as 1877, before the Philippine Revolution and is recognized as the oldest charitable association in the country today.
Asked how Glaiza has been doing her share to help numerous families, she said she has organized all sorts of fundraisers from concerts to fun runs, something she also hopes to do for people in need of medical assistance as part of her work for the PCCAI. Glaiza revealed that it was “Dreams Never End,” her 2015 concert at the Music Museum, that triggered her advocacies.
“I was overwhelmed by the people who attended that concert. many even came from the provinces and brought gifts. So I thought it was just right to give something in return,” she noted.
“A lot of hard work is involved. But helping others is always very rewarding for me especially once we deliver the desired results.”
As for her own career, Glaiza is still very much at the top of her game. She recently reprised her “Encantadia” character Pirena in the ongoing fantaserye, “Mulawin vs. Ravena.”
And she has also released her fourth studio album, “Magandang Simulain,” under Universal Records which contained her renditons of OPM classics like Cinderella’s “Bato sa Buhangin,” the Juan dela Cruz band’s “Ang Himig Natin,” Judas’ “Dukha,” and Asin’s “Itanong Mo sa Mga Bata.”
On October 27, Glaiza de Castro will headline a solo concert at the Music Museum called “Kun[g]diman.”
