Actress Angel Locsin has expressed grief over the death of a 67-year-old man named Rolando Dela Cruz, who fainted while lining up at her community pantry in Quezon City. The senior citizen was pronounced dead on arrival in a hospital.
“Sa tingin ko, tama lang po na sa akin ninyo na marinig na totoo po ang balita na may inatake at namatay habang nasa pila ng community pantry. Senior citizen po sya na pumila daw po ng 3am at may naka-initan sa pila,” she said.
The actress apologized for the sad incident, adding that she has personally spoken with the family.
“Bago po ang lahat, humihingi po ako ng tawad sa pamilya. Kanina po pinuntahan at nakapagusap po kami ng personal ng mga anak nya sa ospital. At habang buhay po ako hihingi ng patawad sa kanila,” she said.
“Ang nangyari po ay akin pong pagkakamali. Sana po’y wag madamay ang ibang community pantries na maganda po ang nangyari. Sa ngayon po, I will prioritize helping the family and I will make it my responsibility to help them get through this,” she added.
Locsin described Dela Cruz as a good father. “Si tatay po ay isang masipag na ama na nagtitinda ng balut. Hindi ko man po sya nakilala pero sa pagkakakilala ko sa mga anak niya ay mabuti po syang ama at maayos nyang napalaki ang mga anak nya,” she said.
She added: “Sa ngayon po, tinatapos na lang po namin na mabigyan ang mga nakapila.
“Ang iba po sa kanila ay xerox na ang order sheet nila pero nauunawaan po namin na lahat po ay hirap ngayon at tama lang po na mabigyan sila.”
“Meron po kaming tinayong fast lane para sa seniors na tent na may upuan nung mapansin po namin na maraming senior citizens ang nakapila kaninang umaga,” Locsin furthered.
Netizens were quick to throw their support to the actress, who was just trying to help.
“You have no intention of harming anyone, Angel. All you want is just to help. What’s important is you extend your help sa family ni Tatay. You never knew it will happen so don’t shoulder all the burden,” a netizen said.
“Wala ka pong kasalanan dun idol… tumulong lang ang hangad mo… Sa nangyari po kay tatay baka po oras niya na po kanina,” another one said.
Netizens urge people to exercise discipline
Locsin earlier apologized after authorities had a hard time controlling the crowd during the opening of her newly set up community pantry in Brgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City.
“Sa mga nagambala ko po dito, pasensya na po. Hindi po ito ang intensyon ko,” said the Kapamilya actress.
Locsin said they opened the community pantry two hours earlier than their scheduled 10 am due to long queues of people. “Dumating po kami ng 7 am dito nakita po namain na mahaba na po ang pila,” she said.
The distribution initially started orderly with stubs given to people. There were also order checklist and social distancing markers. “Maayos naman po kami, may mga stubs naman po na pinamigay. Then parang yung mga walang stubs sumingit sa pila. Naiintindihan ko naman po kasi kanina pa sila sa pila pero ayon yung naging dahilan kaya nagsiksikan,” Locsin said.
The actress said they sought the help of the city hall, police, and the barangay before the community pantry opened on Friday. She explained: “Nagpatulong din po kami sa munisipyo, sa barangay po, may mga pumunta din pong pulis at military na tumulong di po. ‘Di lang nila makontrol ang mga tao.
“Hindi po ito ang gusto kong mangyari. Nagsimula po kami ng maayos. Nagkataon lang talaga na gutom lang po talaga ang mga tao na kahit wala sa pila sumingit na po sila.”
She said she just wanted to celebrate her birthday by giving back to people.
Netizens are urging people who line up at community pantries like that of the actress to observe utmost discipline.
