Connie Angeles Champions Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko Health
Connie Angeles, a beloved actress and television personality, has paused her acting career but continues to shine as a host on the Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko program. Since joining in 1983, she has passionately supported the show’s mission to help the less fortunate with health services. This dedication perfectly aligns with her role as SM Foundation’s Executive Director for Medical and Health Programs.
Angeles’s journey with Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko began when she stepped in as a substitute host after being invited by founding host Orlando “Orly” Mercado. “Mr. Mercado called me to pitch in for absent hosts. That started it. I told him I didn’t want to leave even when the hosts started coming back,” she recounted. For Angeles, who was an avid viewer before hosting, supporting the disadvantaged through health advocacy is a dream realized.
From Public Service to Health Advocacy
Before her television hosting, Angeles served Quezon City as councilor and vice mayor. Since joining SM Foundation in 2001, she ensures the success of various health programs designed to aid indigent patients. She balances her hosting duties with her foundation work, always making time to co-host especially when Mercado travels abroad.
“One of the biggest challenges was arranging my schedule. But I always make sure to be present to co-host whenever I am needed,” Angeles shared. She also encounters many patients struggling to access medical help. “How I wished Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko could accommodate all of these patients,” she added, highlighting the program’s ongoing demand.
Legacy of Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko
Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko, which celebrates its golden anniversary this year, first aired on December 1, 1975. The foundation behind the program was established in 1976 with a mission to transform the lives of disadvantaged Filipinos through guidance, connection, and empowerment. It mobilizes private donors to fund expensive medical and surgical treatments for indigent patients.
The program features both on-air and off-air clinics to meet the overwhelming need. Partners like SM Foundation, Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, and numerous top medical institutions collaborate to provide comprehensive health services. This partnership strengthens Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko’s impact across the nation.
Mentorship and Honors
Orly Mercado remains a guiding figure and mentor to Angeles. A respected journalist and former government official, Mercado’s dedication to Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko inspired Angeles to maintain her hosting role despite her busy schedule. Their shared commitment highlights the program’s importance in public service.
In 2023, Angeles received the Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her decades of service. She was also honored in 1990 as Best Public Service Program Host. These accolades reflect her unwavering dedication to uplifting the health and welfare of the less fortunate.
For more news and updates on health advocacy, visit Filipinokami.com.