Gretchen Barreto has got to be the breakout star of charity in this 24-month old, long, long pandemic.
Not content with sending what she called Love Boxes and sacks of rice to the media and former colleagues in entertainment, Gretchen, whom I shall call Our Lady of Ayuda from here on, recently focused her attention on health workers.
Her team recently dropped sacks of rice in several government hospitals, notably San Lazaro and Philippine General Hospital. She also remembered St. Luke’s at BGC, where she said, her mother was confined once upon a time.
Several LGU’s in Cavite and Rizal have also received sacks of rice from Our Lady of Ayuda.
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Speaking of long memory, I was moved when Gretchen’s assistant, France Simeon, asked for my help in locating two former co-workers of the actress.
Gretchen told him she wanted to send them love boxes, too. On Facebook I was to learn later that former actress Lucy Quinto was full of joy when she received hers at her doorstep.
Gretchen probably had good memories of Lucy, who was a famous dubber and voice coach in the 1970s and 80s.
Gretchen also picked out a box for Robbie Tan, her former Seiko Films producer, the one person who really turned her into a big star. She also sent out boxes to actresses Priscilla Almeda and Vangie Labalan, much to these ladies’ surprise.
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At the onset, when people heard of GB’s love boxes and rice donations, they had thought the inactive actress was throwing her dainty hat into the country’s political arena.
Yet, when all is said and done, and long after the deadline for registration for candidates, no Gretchen showed interest in running for public office.
Gretchen has yet to talk about this new chapter in her journey. Which makes her gesture even more admirable.
If attention is drawn to her, it isn’t because she’s sending out press releases. The media attention to what she has been doing came surely but naturally, like a matter of course.
The recipients of GB’s beautiful gesture are only too happy to tell the world the surprise that lands on their doorstep.
And why shouldn’t they be jubilant? A big sack of quality rice, our staple food, is always welcome.
The contents of Gretchen’s love box are also nothing to sneeze at. They’re of good quality, mostly imported canned goods and some local products with nice brands. My favorite is the corned beef Delimondo.
Clearly, Gretchen didn’t scrimp when she decided to share her blessings.
Thank you, Gretchen, Our Lady of Ayuda, for this beautiful gesture of yours. It makes you more beautiful than you already are, 52 years notwithstanding.