From Awards to Advocacy: Donnalyn Bartolome Pushes Flood Awareness Abroad
DONNALYN BARTOLOME – Youtube star Donnalyn Bartolome turned her proudest career moment into a platform for advocacy after addressing the Philippines’ flood crisis during her award speech in Amsterdam.
Filipina content creator Donnalyn Bartolome used her international recognition to shine a light on one of the Philippines’ most persistent challenges—flooding. The social media star won the Best Content Creator Award at the 2025 Septimius Awards in Amsterdam, where she dedicated her acceptance speech to raising awareness about flood control issues back home.
On Instagram, Bartolome shared a clip of her speech, where she emphasized that her platform is not only about entertainment but also about advocacy. “I’m deeply honored to be awarded tonight. I create content to inspire. I love making people happy and to fund a lot of causes and prevention initiatives. I’m from the Philippines, and one of the most heartbreaking issues we face back home is the floods,” she said.
She went on to explain the devastating cycle that Filipinos experience every year, stressing the urgency of preventive solutions. “Every year, communities are displaced, lives are lost, and it’s a cycle we’ve been stuck in for far too long. I’ve always believed prevention is better than cure. While we hope for and continue to push for our government to do better with regard to our flood control systems, we are also taking action into our own hands by planting trees and bamboo,” Bartolome added.
In her appeal to the international audience, Bartolome encouraged collective responsibility through a simple yet impactful act. “I’m standing here in front of you, not just as an awardee, but someone who’s using this moment to influence. If you take anything from this, let it be this: please plant at least one tree in your lifetime. It’s a simple act of love for the one home we all share, our planet. So far, we’ve planted over a thousand trees, and each tree only costs one dollar, and tonight, a self-made agency pledged for one hundred more trees,” she declared, receiving warm applause.
Her message came at a time when reports of alleged corruption in government flood control projects have sparked public frustration. By using her platform abroad, Bartolome underscored the importance of grassroots initiatives while still calling for accountability from leaders.
Bartolome first rose to fame as a vlogger before venturing into music with hits like “Kakaibabe” and “Happy Break Up.” She is also known for her relationship with actor JM De Guzman.
The Septimius Awards, held annually in Europe, celebrate excellence in films, documentaries, television, and screenplays, drawing international stars including Emmy, BAFTA, and Oscar winners.
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