The Alden Effect: Alden Richards fans bring aid to typhoon Odette survivors

Asia's Multimedia Star Alden Richards has reached career-defining milestones this year, including his praise-worthy performance in the hit Kapuso series The World Between Us, but aside from his achievements in the entertainment industry, the impact he leaves on his throng of fans is an inspiring story on its own.

Carol, Jen, and Haydee consider themselves avid supporters of the Kapuso actor, from faithfully watching every episode of his teleseryes and praying for him in their daily rosary sessions to reaching out and offering help to others through their fandom's platform.

Heeding the call of struggling Filipinos in the wake of typhoon Odette (Rai), Alden's fans joined forces to provide aid for the survivors in Palawan, Siargao, and Southern Leyte.

Since starting the donation drive on Sunday, December 19, they have collected over PhP80,000 worth of grocery supplies and hygiene kits for the benefit of the typhoon-hit communities.

Carol expressed her gratitude for surpassing their original threshold of PhP10,000 within the first day of their project.

“Alden is an instrument to what we are doing right now. We're doing this because we are very lucky that we are following and supporting a very grateful and generous man,” she said in an interview with GMANetwork.com

Jen also added that embodying the "Alden mindset" moved them to go beyond their usual duties as fans, “Para kasi kaming si Alden…kung saan kailangan ng tulong, doon kami. We're trying to put ourselves in the mind of Alden.”

They shared how grateful they were for the multi-awarded Kapuso star because their shared love for him united a community of fans in a mission to serve others.

“We have Alden to thank because this is our platform. Who are our donors? The fans emulating Alden's generosity,” Carol said.

According to Haydee, they owe the success of their relief initiative to the fans who generously reached out to contribute to the cause despite not having met each other in person.

“We met because of Alden. So 'yung mga tao na tumutulong din sa'min ngayon, we met them because of Alden. Naging close [kami] kahit di [kami] nagkikita-kita,” she said.

While their efforts for typhoon Odette victims are far from over, Carol also shared that they have begun brainstorming their plans to help Alden's self-launched AR Foundation, an initiative that champions the importance of education among children.

“Ganoon kami ka-energized. This is how Alden affects us. Kaming tatlo, we saw and we felt how generous Alden is [at] na-epitomize naman ng mga fans niya,” she said.

Meanwhile, visit this gallery of other local celebrities who have inspired action in the wake of typhoon Odette.