BY NEIL RAMOS
Kathryn Bernardo badly misses home. The Cabanatuan native hasn‘t been able to visit home since the start of the lockdowns.
“Hindi na talaga ako nakakauwi kahit gustong-gusto kong umuwi,” said the actress.
“Miss na miss ko na yung Cabanatuan at saka yung house namin. Medyo nakakalungkot lang, pero blessed pa rin po dahil maraming work na dumadating,” she added.
Kathryn is concerned about so many in her province whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic.
“I know it’s difficult to be positive nowadays but we have to persevere for the sake of our loved ones. As I always say, di naman po tayo bibigyan ng pagsubok na di natin kayang lampasan. But we have to take care of our health, asset po natin yan sa panahong ito,” she maintained.
A popular endorser of well-known San Miguel Corporation brands that include San Miguel Foods’ Magnolia Ice Cream, San Mig Coffee Crema White, and Nutrichunks, the actress is happy the company is now building the new Manila International Airport, as with an adjacent economic zone, in the neighboring province of, Bulacan, believing the developments will help boost the economy in the region, including her home province. Nueva Ecija.
“If possible nga na magawa na yan agad so we can already attract businesses and give people jobs,” Kathryn related. “A lot of people really need help right now. In our personal capacity, what we can do is to help the people around us as much as we can. But for the long-term, jobs po talaga ang kailangan.”
Kathryn sees the airport as providing more and better opportunities for businessmen and even farmers who produce food and raw materials.
“If you need to transport products quickly or perishable yung goods mo, big advantage yung magkaroon ng accessible na airport like the one sa Bulacan. I’m sure this is a positive sign for many businesses in Nueva Ecija and even as far as the north like Baguio, Pangasinan, and Ilocos. Mahirap isipin now because a lot of businesses are struggling, but when the time comes na matapos na yung pandemic, then the airport will be ready and we can start and help a lot of people recover.”
She believes the airport project will also open Luzon, including her province, to more local and international tourists. It will also be more convenient for locals to travel anywhere in the country, or abroad.
“From our house in Cabanatuan, it’s either we use Clark or go straight to NAIA to fly out. But in Manila, I always have to brave the traffic going to the airport and it is difficult pag naghahabol ng flight. We all experience this naman po, we have to be there hours before our flight,” she said.
She added: “But with the new airport, there’s another better option. And from what I heard, it’s going to be really big, spacious and modern. If sanay ka sa big airports like in Japan, Korea and in Europe, it’s going to be that big and I’m proud to be part of the San Miguel family that is making this happen.”
“Matagal na yung San Miguel, and maganda yung reputation nya so I’m sure like sa TPLEX sa amin sa Nueva Ecija and yung iba pang projects nila ay maganda rin yung quality ng work. Hopefully, pag maagang matapos yung Bulakan airport at may time at pwede nang magbakasyon, makakasakay rin ako dyan. Just praying and hoping na matapos na po itong crisis para we can live our lives normally like we are used to,” she added.
