Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Celeste Cortesi has donated P5 million each to Angat Buhay and the Philippine Red Cross to support victims of the recent earthquakes that struck Cebu and Davao Oriental.
A 6.9-magnitude quake hit Cebu on September 30, claiming 74 lives and displacing thousands after it struck off the province’s northern coast.
Cortesi, through her beauty company Azul, which she co-founded with British philanthropist Jonathan Sterling, first donated P5 million to Cebu relief efforts via the Angat Buhay Foundation.
“Azul, through Celeste Cortesi and Jonathan Sterling, donated P5,000,000 in partnership with Angat Buhay Foundation to aid relief operations on the ground — from hygiene kits and food packs to cash aid and medical missions,” the announcement read on the brand’s official Instagram page.
Earlier this week, multiple earthquakes measuring 7.6 and 6.8 magnitude, along with numerous aftershocks, hit the Davao region, affecting 70,985 citizens, with three people confirmed dead, based on partial data released by the provincial government as of October 11.
Following the quakes in Davao Oriental, Cortesi and Sterling contributed another P5 million, this time coursed through the Philippine Red Cross to provide immediate aid, essentials, and support for affected families.
“Many families are now without safe homes or access to basic necessities, with communities in urgent need of shelter, food, and assistance as they begin to recover. In times of crisis, we believe in acting fast. Azul has extended ₽5,000,000 in support to the Philippine Red Cross to help with rescue and relief efforts in Davao,” Azul’s post read.
The post concluded by encouraging the public to extend support: “You can help by supporting ongoing rescue and relief operations through trusted organizations like the Philippine Red Cross. Donations, no matter the amount, go toward providing food, clean water, medical assistance, and temporary shelters for affected families.”
