Alden Richards fills Children's Home with smiles on his birthday

Smiles and laughter filled the air last January 14 as Crush ng Bayan Alden Richards spent the afternoon playing games, singing and having fun with kids from the Holy Trinity Home for Children in Fairview, Quezon City.

The Holy Trinity Home for Children is a charitable institution whose great desire is to uplift the condition of marginalized families. It started serving children in January 1993.

Alden, who turned 22 last January 2, spent his birthday in the same venue last year.
The children welcomed Alden warmly as soon as he arrived. Then it was time for exciting games.

The first game that Alden played with the kids was “Bring Me.”  Everyone participated with enthusiasm.

For the next game, each of the kids was told to greet Alden “Happy Birthday” and the one who was able to hold his breath the longest while saying this won a prize.

The highlight of the event was when Alden sang Haplos live for the children. The song is part of his self-titled album and is also among the theme songs of his previous GMA Telebabad series, Mundo Mo’y Akin.

After this, a group of kids surprised Alden with a special dance performance which deeply touched the Kapuso actor. He joined the kids in watching yet another performance -- a dance number by a mascot. Everyone had a blast dancing and taking pictures.

The kids went on to sing “Happy Birthday” for one of the Kapuso network's top leading man. After blowing his birthday candles, the Carmela leading man treated the children to a scrumptious dinner. 

GMANetwork.com caught up with Alden after the party and we asked him how he spent his actual birthday.

Alden replied, “’Yung birthday ko, every year naman since nag-start ako sa showbiz, chill lang. Nagsimba lang ako tapos dinner with family, ganun lang.”

He added that the greatest gift that he has received for his birthday is intangible, and that is peace of mind.

He is also looking forward to 2014, especially now that he will be having a new GMA Telebabad series with Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera via Carmela: Ang Pinakamagandang Babae sa Mundong Ibabaw.

“(The year) 2014 is a brand new start, a brand new life. Masarap ‘yung feeling. Ilang days na ‘yung nakaraan at mas magaan. Mas kaya kong gawin ‘yung things na kailangan kong gawin,” he said.

According to Alden, his birthday wish for this year would be “more blessings sana at good health sa akin at sa family and a better 2014.”

Catch Alden Richards as Yago in Carmela: Ang Pinakamagandang Babae sa Mundong Ibabaw beginning January 27 on GMA Telebabad.

For more updates on Alden Richards, keep visiting www.gmanetwork.com.

- Text by Samantha Portillo, Photos by GMA Artist Center, GMANetwork.com