Shuvee Etrata, Boy Scouts of the Philippines lead relief distribution for Cebu earthquake victims

Shuvee Etrata and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines led a relief distribution activity in Cebu for communities who were devastated by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked the province on September 30. 

According to GMA Regional TV's Nikko Sereno's report on "24 Oras" Tuesday, the Sparkle star, who also happens to be the first female scout ambassador of the BSP, extended her help to her fellow Cebuanos after first making sure her family in the province was all right following the strong tremor. 

"Nung narinig ko talaga, kinamusta ko kaagad 'yung mga family ko sa Bantayan. Upon knowing na they're okay, dun ako nag-extend ng help sa mga taga-Bogo, sa mga taga-San Remigio" she shared. 

"Nakakungkot, nakakaiyak, pero I believe naman in the resilience talaga [ng] mga Cebuano," she added. 

Shuvee is also grateful to BSP for giving her the platform to  help those in need, as well as be an inspiration to the youth.

"I believe naman talaga that the children or the youth talaga, they have the power to change the future. Right now, I'm just here to inspire them to do good, to choose good every single day, like me helping here, extending my helping hand, hindi 'to para ipakita sa kanila na —  this is not for show," she said.

"This is to inspire them na they can also —  in times na kaya na din nila —they will extend their help 'cause that's how scouts are." 

Aside from San Remigio, Shuvee and the BSP also distributed aid to parts of northern Cebu, such as Barangay Kawit in Medellin. 

As Cebu and its people recover from the effects of the earthquake, the actress and host could not help but express her pride in Cebuanos' resilience and kindness. 

"I believe in Cebuano people, I believe in their kindness and balita ko nga nung dumating ang earthquake, all the people from the south, from the city, pumunta talaga, nag-traffic pa talaga,"  she said. 

"It makes my heart warm, it makes my heart so happy knowing na Cebuano ako. Nakaka-proud maging Cebuano." 

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake occurred in Cebu in the evening of September 30. A total of 8,298 aftershocks have since been recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) as of Tuesday morning. 

The strong quake had affected a total of 611,624 people or 165,988 families, and damaged a total of 39,806 houses in Central Visayas, reported the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Tuesday.

The Office of Civil Defense also said on Monday that the reported death toll in the Cebu earthquake has now reached 72. 

—CDC, GMA Integrated News