swordshines10: A VERY SPECIAL NEW Q & A (QUESTION AND ANSWER) INTERVIEW WITH MS. LOVELY RIVERO: "WHEN WHAT YOU DO TRULY COMES FROM YOUR HEART, IT ENERGIZES YOU!"

A VERY SPECIAL NEW Q & A (QUESTION AND ANSWER) INTERVIEW WITH MS. LOVELY RIVERO: "WHEN WHAT YOU DO TRULY COMES FROM YOUR HEART, IT ENERGIZES YOU!"

lovely: an untiring love to help others

lovely: the actress, the philanthropist, the angel

ROBERT: The Covid-19 Pandemic is still far from over. And we can say, you still continue doing good deeds for those greatly affected by it. Ms, Lovely, don't you ever get tired helping others? Hehehe. Where do you get the inspiration and the drive?

LOVELY: A lot of people ask me that because, they say, that there is such a thing as a “DONOR’s FATIGUE”, when one gets burned out from doing charity work but I pace and slow down myself naman. I try to schedule my activities in such a way na there is variety para I don't get tired of it. Isa pa, I will only do this if I'm happy doing it kasi if gagawa ka nga ng charity work pero naiinis ka naman dahil sa napapagod or nangangarag ka, it loses the essence of why you are doing it in the first place. Nagiging obligasyon na. Furthermore, when what you’re doing comes from a place of genuine concern & authenticity and when it truly comes from the heart, it energizes you and fuels you to keep going.

ROBERT: What do you think could be the reason why the virus continues to spread all-over the NCR region? Do you feel that people are not really following the safety measures eventhough that the Government has been trying hard to remind people in implementing those safety measures like social distancing? What do you think about this, Ms. Lovely?

LOVELY: Honestly, I think the root cause of why the virus is still spreading is ECONOMICS. How can people be forced to follow protocols like staying home, etcetera, etcetera....,when they need to go out there, they gamble their health and well-being, because they need to earn a living to feed their families. Naturally, when one goes out there, even if he tries to follow safety protocols, he will still be at risk than if he just stays home. Therefore, if there is a good economic platform laid out that will enable the people not to stress out too much about their finances, then they will be more inclined to follow the safety guidelines. Remember, when one is stressed-out about things, especially about money, then his health and immunity are compromised which makes him even more susceptible to the virus. Moreover, if people are more financially secure, they can make better choices when it comes to food, choosing to eat healthier viands to nourish and strengthen their bodies.

ROBERT: As a celebrity actress who went-out of her way to be of help to others, how would you protect yourself from the continuing onslaught of the virus? Do you think that wearing a mask and the so-called social distancing is already enough?

LOVELY: I believe education about the virus (its nature, how it spreads, how you can get it, etcetera...) is very important. The more we know about the nature of the enemy, the more we can protect ourselves against it. So that's what I try to do- Be abreast with the latest information about the virus so that I’ll know how I can keep on protecting myself.

ROBERT: In these trying times of worldwide health crisis, did you discover for yourself that there are so many living angels out there? Angels just like YOU, too, all trying to make this world a better place to live in. That there are really many good and kind people in this world?

LOVELY: Oh definitely there are so many living angels around! Although that, I mean, it didn't really come as a surprise to me because I've always believed in the innate goodness of people and I've always believed in the soft hearts of people and friends, and also in our own culture- the “Bayanihan” spirit of the Filipinos. Minsan nga, we are so kind to a fault, isusubo na lang natin, ibibigay pa natin sa iba. Salute to all those generous and kind people out there. Kayo po ang pinag-huhugutan ng pagasa ng mga taong hirap na hirap sa mga panahong ito!

ROBERT: What can you say about the growing number of celebrities who are, just like you again, also are all going-out of their ways as frontliners, advocates and charity workers in these trying times of a great health crisis?

LOVELY: It gives me joy seeing people help other people. Simple random acts of kindness restore my faith in Humanity. All the more when I see celebrities use their platform to inspire the public in a positive way. Thus, I have nothing but admiration for them. I hope they will be more blessed so that they can continue their being a philanthropy.

ROBERT: Do you plan of organizing, together with fellow actress Glenda Garcia, in attracting more celebrities and sponsors to help people affected by the Pandemic?

LOVELY: For now, I basically work with my own small team when people tap me to be a conduit of their generosity. My team & I basically do all the leg work for the donors and sponsors. Thus, although Glenda & I do not have a formally-organized philanthropic group because we basically do our outreach and activities separately, we help each other through referrals and we definitely support each other and are both proud of each other’s work. On a grander scale, I am a proud member of the Rotary Club of (Makati) Dasmarinas and I was appointed to chair the Covid-19 task force. This is something that I am concentrating on and working on right now. As a Rotarian, I need to up the ante and emulate & imbibe the service-driven spirits of the people in this club.

ROBERT: Ms. Lovely, if you don't mind, can you please mention all those people who continue to support you and help you in your charitable and angelic works in these days of the Pandemic?

LOVELY: They are too many to mention and I will do it one by one and I might miss out some of them, baka may magtampo. Haha...., So I’ll just mention the key people who started the ball rolling or took it to another level, so to speak, or those that pleasantly surprised me because some of them are not even close to me but already trusted me enough to reach-out and I totally value that. So, thank you to Fly Ace Corporation of the Cochanco family, Malou Soyangco and friends, Ala Domingo, Nadine Nocom & Cafe Naci’, Myles and Anne, Gerry Comising, Malou Gumapac, Jane Knof, Ms. Malu Maglutac Chiongbian (I totally did not expect this but was so kilig when she reached out to me. Idol ko kaya siya especially during her Student Canteen hosting days and she just oozes elegance and class naman talaga kasi, di ba?!) and this dynamic lady, Jenny Umali and her Expose & Express team and many others. Each and every donation, whether in cash or in kind or through their effort & time, are all equally valued and appreciated. Lahat ng nagbigay ng tulong sa ano mang pamamaraan ay nais kong paulit ulit na pasalamatan. Di ko magagawa ang lahat ng ito kung hindi dahil sa mga pinag-sama-samang tulong ninyo.

ROBERT: Ms. Lovely, can we talk about your new cable show?

LOVELY: This show for cable at the the Pinoy Xtreme channel, is a Culinary and Lifestyle show entitled “A taste of Love”. Since one of my passions is cooking and I love food, we decided to do a show that revolves around it but is not limited to it kaya may lifestyle element siya. The treatment is very casual. Yung para bang pag nanonood ka, you will feel na parang nakikinig ka lang sa kuwentuhan ng mga kaibigan mo and anytime puwede kang mag-butt-in. Haha! Seriously, we want our viewers to feel like they are part of the show talaga. So far, we have taped two episodes and I think mga end of July yata and pilot airing nya sa Pinoy Xtreme cable TV, every Saturdays & Sundays, 4-5 p.m. I am also happy na nag-uumpisa na rin ang TV tapings ko for the major networks like GMA-7 & Gma-News TV and I'm honored to have been asked to guest sa pinaka-unang taping ng hit TV show sa channel 7 na Magpakailanman under the new normal! What I am hoping for now is a regular TV teleserye. Sana soon...

ROBERT: LAST QUESTION TO YOU, MS. LOVELY. CAN WE HEAR YOUR OWN WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO PEOPLE SUFFERING NOW, LOOSING HOPE AND FEELING NEGATIVE ABOUT TOMORROW?

LOVELY: The current time we are all living in is indeed very difficult & different. Many people are suffering and dying. Most people are having problems financially and everything is just not the way it used to be. We do not feel secure or safe anymore. Sometimes, we distrust the very people or institutions that we banked on to protect us. Marami na ang gustong bumigay. Kahit ako, minsan, bigla nalang akong nalulungkot, naiiyak sa nangyayari ngayon. Pero iniisip ko, hindi ko man kontrolado ang mga nangyayari, pwede ko piliting maging positibo pa rin dahil sa kabila ng bigat ng mga dinadala natin, nandito pa rin tayo, buhay at puwedeng lumaban sa mga dagok ng buhay. So instead of allowing stress, despair & depression to get into you, try to channel the negativity and use them to fuel you to become productive because when one is productive, nare-realize mo na-, “Ay may silbi pa pala ako, may magagawa naman pala ako”..., When you know you can make a difference in a positive way, even in the minutest, smallest manner, that will give you the energy and the reason to go on. So, friends, try & keep yourself busy and productive. Furthermore, whenever people show you a little act of kindness, pay it forward because you never know whose life you’ll impact with your random , simple acts of kindness...Above all, never doubt that there is a God who is bigger & mightier than all of our troubles. Kaya kapit lang.