Marian Rivera joined a Philippine Red Cross mission in Quezon City to help out the victims of the recent monsoon rains. According to a report by GMANetwork.com, the star reportedly tried to keep her good deed a secret, but the media eventually found out about it.

According to reporter Nelson Canlas, Marian, along with the Red Cross team, waded through floodwaters to get to Tatalon, Quezon City, where around 500 families have sought refuge from the the floods caused by the non-stop rains. Aside from extending help, the actress also brought joy to the evacuees, who were delighted to see a celebrity in their area.

For Marian, who will be celebrating her 28th birthday on August 12, helping out the flood victims is her birthday gift to herself. She said that she didn’t mind getting wet and tired during the mission, as she says it was a small sacrifice compared to the hardships that the victims are experiencing.

"Nagpunta ako rito [Tatalon, Quezon City] hindi bilang artista," she said when she was interviewed during the Chika Minute segment of GMA’s news show 24 Oras, which aired on August 8. "Nagpunta ako rito para tumulong sa kanila, magbigay ng pagkain at para maiparamdam sa kanila na anuman ang nanagyari sa kanila, nandiyan ang Red Cross para sa kanila (I went here not as a celebrity. I went here to help out, to give food, and to make the victims feel that whatever happens, Red Cross is going to be there for them.)."

(Photo courtesy of PEP.ph)