For his socio-civic work and philanthropy, actor and model Lito Gruet was given by Awards Guru Richard Hinola the most cherished award, the Philippine Philanthropy Award 2025 at the Music Museum last week which was witnessed by thousands of people from all walks of life.
Lito was recognized for his uncompromising advocacy of helping former drug dependents to turn over a new leaf through his Battle Against Ignorance Foundation which is based in Cebu City.
Gruet, a native of Cebu, was himself a victim of the drug menace during his heyday as an actor and model.
He was a sought-after endorser of diverse sartorial styles of various designers and an actor in film and television when he was hooked into drugs.
“Natutulog na ako noon kung saan-saan, sa kalsada, sa ibang bahay. Grabe ang nangyari sa akin noon. Buti na lamang at nakaligtas ako. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos (I was already sleeping anywhere at the time, on sidewalks, in other people’s houses. Oh! What was happening then was terrible. It’s good that I was spared of physical dangers and other unfortunate circumstances. I thank the Lord I was saved),” Lito said in an exclusive interview after he received the award from Richard.
When he was dragged to hell by drugs, showbiz people, especially his friends were sad yet sympathetic about him. There were leading ladies like Maria Isabel Lopez, Isabel Rivas, Melissa Mendez, Azenith Briones, Melanie Marquez, Irma Alegre, Stella Suarez, Jr., Jaclyn Jose, among others, who were ready to lend a hand to him. His contemporaries in the modelling scenes like Leo Rabago and Michael Alfers (both fellow titleholders for the prestigious model search, Bodyshots) are already gone, indirectly caused by drugs which ruined their mind and spirit.
His life was a testament of hope so he brought back sanity, salvation and pride to his existence and helped build BAI in Cebu City, his hometown.
Lito went under rehab and therapy which contributed to his recovery from drug power.
It’s payback time for him,so BAI is one of the platforms where Gruet could share his vision of hope and inclusivity to society.
Former Liquor Beauty, Brandy Ayala, is one of the actresses hooked on drugs whom Lito has saved. “Kami nina Azenith at Morly Alinio, pinagtulungan namin si Brandy na maipasok sa BAI. Malaki na ang kanyang improvement mula nang pumasok siya sa amin (We coordinated with each other to get Brandy to the facility. She has improved a lot since she was rehabilitated),” beamed Lito with pride.
His Philippine Philanthropy Award will forever inspire Gruet to reach to the wayward souls destroyed by drugs.
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