Hold on, and help is on the way as the newest faces of public service - TV personalities Gelli de Belen, Patricia Tumulak, and Sherilyn Reyes-Tan - join Manoy himself, a former businessman and now public servant Agri-Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee in hosting the new public service program "Si Manoy ang Ninong Ko" which will debut on GMA Network on Sunday, March 3, at 7 a.m.

During a media conference held in Quezon City on Feb. 29, Manoy Wilbert said the public service program will feature real-life stories of our kababayans that will surely inspire us to work hard, persevere in life and never lose hope.

"Whatever problems we are facing, we can get through with a little help from the community and from our countrymen who deep down care about others," said Manoy.

Gelli said: "The help that the beneficiaries of the show need is beyond the usual food or financial aid; what they need is something that will really help them earn a living and sustain them in the long run."

Patricia and Sherilyn go to the field to learn first-hand about the beneficiaries' concerns.

"Sometimes, they just want to feel that they are seen and heard, so listening to them is already a form of help. But of course, we don't stop there. We study their cases, and we try to provide solutions for their concerns," Patricia explained.

Sherilyn said: "We want to go beyond solving their immediate problems. We also want to give them hope by providing opportunities to support themselves long-term."

Asked about the 7 a.m. time slot for the show, Manoy said: "We selected Sunday at 7 a.m. for the program because everyone is typically at home during that time. Gusto naming mapanood ito ng pamilyang Pilipino dahil hinanda talaga namin ito para sa kanila."

Manoy added: "Ang purpose po nito ay hindi lamang programa na may puso. Gusto po namin magkaroon ng isang society na may puso."

Gelli, Sherilyn and Patricia shared their initial reactions when they were first offered to co-host a public service program.

"Sobrang excited po ako. Unang-una nakapag-host na rin ako pero na-miss ko ito...lalo na kung naiintindihan mo ang plataporma ng programa. Pinag-pray ko ito kasi halos magkaroon ito ng conflict sa isang show kaya nakiusap po ako sa Sparkle na sana mailabas na yung permission na magawa ko ito. At ipinagpapasalamat ko na parte ako ng program na ito," said Sherilyn.

Patricia said: "I'm grateful kasi bago sa akin ito. Yung malibot mo kung gaano kaganda yung Pilipinas. Challenging din ito sa akin dahil mag-iinterview ka ng one-on-one eh. Ibang atake ito. Lahat ito bago sa akin kaya I'm grateful."

"Noong una, inisip ko yun tapos may kasama kaming congressman. Okay lang ba yun? So marami akong inisip na ganun. Eventually, when they explained what was going to happen, kung ano yung advocacy ng show, yung focus, kung tatakbo man si congressman or not, naisip ko this is a show that wants to help fellow Filipinos. So more than the politics, ang importante yung may matutulungan. So sabi ko, I want to be a part of that. Kung may matutulungan, join ako," said Gelli.

Championing agri sector

Manoy Wilbert was a successful businessman before being elected as a congressman. He currently serves as the representative of the AGRI Party-list, a farmers' group formed in Davao that champions the rights and welfare of farmers, fishermen, and the entire agriculture sector.

At present, Manoy Wilbert sits on 24 Congressional Committees and is the principal author and author of more than 124 bills and resolutions. In his first year in Congress, he principally authored the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which helped over 654,000 farmers. He is also the author of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, which is envisioned to generate thousands of jobs in the agricultural sector. 

From humble beginnings in Sorsogon, Bicol, where his father opened his Goodluck Store 60 years ago, Cong. Wilbert grew his father’s business into the LKY Group of Companies, which has interests in retail, food, construction, real estate, and hospitality. They now have over 3,000 employees in different provinces, bringing growth, employment, and livelihood opportunities to towns and cities.

As a businessman, Cong. Wilbert earned the following distinctions: the Rokyaw Ibalnong Awards for Business and Industry, Most Outstanding Sorsogueño Award in the field of Business and Industry, and Bicol’s prestigious “Halyao Award” as Bicolano Businessman of the Year. 

While expanding the family business, he also established the LKY Foundation, which provides relief and support to our fellow countrymen who are sick or are victims of typhoons and other natural calamities, and they also rescue abandoned cats and dogs. 

Cong. Wilbert is an alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Business Administration. For 30 years, he has been married to his wife Delph -who served two terms as AGRI Party-list representative. They have four children: Rebecca, Robina, Johan, and Jeremy.