“Kahit yun na lang pa-birthday niyo sa akin please.”
Ivana Alawi has appealed to netizens to help those affected by the Supertyphoon Odette “no matter how big or small.”
In a statement posted on her Facebook page, the Kapamilya actress shared having mixed emotions over the approaching yuletide season while fellow countrymen are still dealing with the catastrophe brought about by the supertyphoon.
“Excited kase malapit na birthday ko.
“Blessed kase kahit ano pa man nangyayari sa atin, malapit na ang Pasko and may rason tayo to always smile kase birthday na ni Papa Jesus.
“Pero it breaks my heart, dahil hanggang sa bago matapos ang taon, may pagsubok na dumating sa mga kababayan natin na naapektuhan ng bagyong Odette,” wrote Ivana.
The 24-year-old, who’s also known for her philanthropic acts on her YouTube vlogs, plans on sending out donations to the areas hit by the typhoon.
“Gusto ko pumunta sa affected areas pero para sa safety ng lahat…. 
Ang simpleng magagawa ko lang sa ngayon ay magpa-abot ng tulong sa iba’t ibang lugar kung saan kailangan ang tulong ko,” shesaid.
Ivana then urged netizens to give hope to the typhoon victims by helping in their own little ways.
“Guys, maliit man o malaki, sana magbigay din tayong lahat ng pag-asa sa mga nasalanta ngayong Pasko. Kahit yun na lang pa-birthday nyo sa akin please,” said Ivana, who is turning 25 years old on December 25.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the supertyphoon has an estimated P118 million worth of agricultural products and infrastructure worth P225 million of damages in some provinces of Visayas and Mindanao.
Typhoon Odette, which made nine landfalls in the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negro Oriental and Palawan also left 300 people dead.
For those who wish to lend a helping hand, you may send donations through the Philstar Media Group’s social arm, Operation Damayan.
