Actress Andi Eigenmann has expressed disappointment after her fiance, surfing champion Philmar Alipayo, was accused of "stealing donations" for victims of Typhoon Odette.
On Instagram, Andi wrote: "He just got back to Siargao and left me and the kids behind with a heavy heart in order to go and see our family and see what more we could do to help."
"When he got a seat on the @sunlight_air plane as a volunteer, we also asked beforehand if he was allowed to bring some boxes with him, so he could readily bring food and other essentials to his family and our loved ones there. They said yes! It is very sad to know that he is being accused of stealing donations when he even specifically ignored his chance to use his platform to ask for them, since he's more than willing to use his own money just to help our community out."
The now Siargao-based online content creator said she is heartbroken about these allegations.
"Just so hurtful that it always seems to be so hard to believe that my fiancé has his own money to spend too because he works to earn it. Now, with some, he is still the same simple man who doesn't really need much. Just for his kids to have a good life. Which is why it isn't hard for him to share his blessings to his home," she said.
"Before he left, I kept telling him to take care. And he kept assuring me he will be ok by saying, 'Mahal, I am used to having nothing. We are used to having no bed to sleep on, no aircon, no purified water, no proper food to eat. I will be ok.'"
Recall that a few days ago, Andi and Philmar asked for prayers for their townmates in Siargao when Typhoon Odette made landfall there.
During a recent vlog, Andi extended helping hands to those affected by the said calamity.
“On Dec. 16, 2021, typhoon Odette hit Siargao Island (and other neighboring islands and provinces) and devastated our island home. We are grateful that our family and friends are safe but most of them have lost their homes and are in need of food, water, among others,” the text in the video appeared. “With this, we will be using our earnings from our coming videos to help slowly rebuild our island home again.”
From Dec. 16 to Dec. 17, Typhoon Odette made landfall at least nine times in various parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.