Kathryn Bernardo badly misses home. Because of travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as her heavy workload, she has not been able to go home to her beloved Cabanatuan since the start of the lockdowns.
“Nitong past few months nung start ng lockdown, hindi na talaga ako nakakauwi kahit gustong-gusto kong umuwi at miss na miss ko na yung Cabanatuan at saka yung house namin. Medyo nakakalungkot lang, pero blessed pa rin po dahil maraming work na dumadating,” the actress shares.
Like most Filipinos today, Kathryn admits that she also worries about her health. On top of that, she is also concerned about so many in her province whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic.
“I know it’s difficult to be positive nowadays but we have to persevere for the sake of our loved ones. As I always say, di naman po tayo bibigyan ng pagsubok na di natin kayang lampasan. But we have to take care of our health, asset po natin yan sa panahong ito,”she says.
Kathryn is happy that San Miguel Corporation is building the new Manila International Airport, and an adjacent economic zone, in their neighboring province, Bulacan. She believes these developments will help revive and boost the economy, including of her home province Nueva Ecija.
“Marami talagang nawalan ng work nitong pandemic. It breaks my heart to see people losing jobs and unable to provide for their families. If possible nga na magawa na yan agad so we can already attract businesses and give people jobs. A lot of people really need help right now. In our personal capacity, what we can do is to help the people around us as much as we can. But for the long-term, jobs po talaga ang kailangan,” Kathryn related.
Kathryn also sees the airport as providing more and better opportunities for businessmen and even farmers who produce food and raw materials. “If you need to transport products quickly or perishable yung goods mo, big advantage yung magkaroon ng accessible na airport like the one sa Bulacan. I’m sure this is a positive sign for many businesses in Nueva Ecija and even as far as the north like Baguio, Pangasinan, and Ilocos. Mahirap isipin now because a lot of businesses are struggling, but when the time comes na matapos na yung pandemic, then the airport will be ready and we can start and help a lot of people recover.”
She believes the airport project will also open Luzon, including her province, to more local and international tourists, once the airport is completed. It will also be more convenient for locals to travel anywhere in the country, or abroad.
“From our house in Cabanatuan, it’s either we use Clark or go straight to NAIA to fly out. But in Manila, I always have to brave the traffic going to the airport and it is difficult pag naghahabol ng flight. We all experience this naman po, we have to be there hours before our flight,” she said.
She added: “But with the new airport, there’s another better option. And from what I heard, it’s going to be really big, spacious and modern. If sanay ka sa big airports like in Japan, Korea and in Europe, it’s going to be that big and I’m proud to be part of the San Miguel family that is making this happen.”
“Matagal na yung San Miguel, and maganda yung reputation nya so I’m sure like sa TPLEX sa amin sa Nueva Ecija and yung iba pang projects nila ay maganda rin yung quality ng work, like their products that I endorse. Hopefully, pag maagang matapos yung Bulakan airport at may time at pwede nang magbakasyon, makakasakay rin ako dyan. Just praying and hoping na matapos na po itong crisis para we can live our lives normally like we are used to,” she added.
Kathryn, who endorses San Miguel Corporation brands San Miguel Foods’ Magnolia Ice Cream, San Mig Coffee Crema White, and Nutrichunks, reiterated that she is thankful for all the work she has been getting despite the pandemic, even if that means staying in one place and being closed off from outside contact while taping or shooting.
“Marami pa rin pong projects and right now we really have to stay in a bubble, as in we have to stay in one place para mabawasan yung chances na magka-Covid 19. So most of the time I’m away talaga from home. We know it’s for the welfare of everyone so we have to very conscious and compliant with health regulations like washing of hands, wearing masks and social distancing,” she said.
“I encourage everyone po to please be mindful of the safety of others around you and always practice safety measures sa panahon na ito. Huwag po tayo magpabaya. kakayanin po natin ito,just keep praying and helping our families and friends,” she advised.