Amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic in the country and across the world, the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) has announced the cancellation of the 4th Entertainment Editors’ Choice (EDDYS) movie awards, annually held in July.
SPEEd President Ian Fariñas and the rest of the organization have agreed to focus resources in joining efforts to help marginalized groups and the brave and selfless frontliners during these trying times.
The beginning of the Luzon-wide community quarantine in March already saw SPEEd distributing food packs to frontliners in the areas of Marikina and Rizal, among them policemen and military personnel at checkpoints, gasoline boys, bank security guards and grocery/convenience store staff.
This month, the group has also made a donation to the Shields for Heroes PH, which continues to make Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for distribution to various hospitals in Metro Manila.
As the crisis continues, SPEEd hopes to be able to extend a helping hand albeit in small ways to help alleviate the repercussions of this global pandemic, believing that the Philippines can win over the war against COVID-19 as a people united.
"May we also laud and thank the ever-growing number of groups and members of the entertainment industry who are actively doing their share, be it by holding fund-raising concerts from their homes, making personal donations and writing songs of hope for COVID-19 patients, COVID-19 warriors and the general public who need spirits uplifted today more than ever," the SPEEd statements reads.
"Finally, to the Philippine government, the frontliners and every Filipino, mabuhay tayong lahat! Together, we will rise!" the statement ends.