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Due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, everyone has been affected by the successive oil price hikes—including celebrities.

“Affected kasi diesel yung kotse ko,” said Jairus Aquino when he and his co-stars from the film Rosario were asked about the current global issue recently.

He continued, “Sobrang mahal compared sa paano ako nagpapa-gas dati. Yes, yun na ang feel ko talaga.”

Aside from his vehicle, the young actor also feels concerned because the crisis is affecting essential daily needs.

He explained, “I guess, syempre, more than that, mas natatakot ako na maubos lahat. Everything runs with gas—paano yung mga deliveries ng food and everything, electricity and all.”

“So, more than anything, hindi lang sa kotse mo yung iisipin mo. Kasi iisipin mo yung everyday life. Eventually, yun naman ang mangyayari kung paano iikot yung resources natin sa pang-araw-araw.”

Because of this, he shared that he has started making some preparations.

“Actually, nag-check ako ng mga portable na power stations. I'm planning to buy one para sa bahay that could be powered or recharged by solar. Kasi, malaking tulong talaga ngayon yung mga solar-equipped na bagay,” Jairus shared.

Likewise, he said he has become more intentional with his activities.

“Less na talaga yung pag-alis ko ngayon. Hindi tulad dati na pupunta ako ng gym, sinasadya ko pa yung biyahe coming from Fairview. So this time, I'll just move within the area na lang talaga para makatipid sa diesel. Not because mahal, but more of paano ko magagamit yung gas sa mga bagay na mas worth it—like going to tapings, going to important na lakad.”

Related gallery: Celebrities make the eco-friendly choice with electric cars

Aside from his personal efforts to save, Jairus also hopes that the government will develop a concrete plan to help those in need.

According to Jairus, “Ang contribution, I guess, very minimal yung contribution na magagawa natin. Masasabi ko lang na nasa gobyerno na eh. So I actually hope na they come to their senses kung paano tutulungan yung mga tao. Kasi, mas kailangan din talaga ng tulong ng public utility vehicle drivers.

“And more than that, I just really hope na we can get through all of this, especially the public utility vehicle drivers—lahat ng namamasada or gumagamit ng gas everyday as their business, as a mode of living.

“It's not about pagyaman, it's about surviving. And so are we. Everybody's on survival mode. Kasi it doesn't matter how much you have, hindi mo naman pipiliin gumastos lang nang gumastos. So ultimately, it's not about the money—it's about survival mode.”

In conclusion, Jairus also left a message to fellow Filipinos: "In terms of small things you can do, like on our end, if you can help or share kahit kaunti, why not, diba? Baka mas seryosohin din ng gobyerno yung nangyayari sa atin. Kasi, mas nangangailangan ang mga tao."