TV host Mariel Rodriguez slammed Willie Revillame’s detractors who criticized the “meager” million-peso donation he made through “Sagip Kapamilya” for the “Ondoy” victims.

“Kailan pa naging maliit ang isang milyon? It’s unfair to judge him like that. Dapat nga maging grateful tayo,” Mariel said at the “Pinoy Big Brother Double Up” press conference held Sept. 30.

Willie pledged the amount during the “Sagip Kapamilya” update hosted by Tina-Monzon Palma and Kim Ateinza that was inserted on “Wowowee,” Sept. 28.

Mariel revealed that prior to the on-air pledge, Willie had already extended help to residents of gravely affected areas including Marikina, Pasig, Cainta, and Antipolo.

“Hindi lang naman ‘yun ang moment (on ‘Wowowee’) na tumulong siya. Marami pa siyang tinulungan na hindi natin alam,” she said.

She pointed out that some members of the “Wowowee” crew were also victims of typhoon “Ondoy.”

“Sino ang tutulong sa kanila? Si Kuya Wil.”

She continued: “At the end of the day, there’s no help na malaki o maliit. Ang importante sincere (ang pagtulong).”

Mariel also stood up for fellow Kapamilya star Kris Aquino, who was also accused of campaigning for her presidentiable brother, Sen. Noynoy, while spearheading a relief operation.

“This is not the time for that. We really have to work together. Yung mga nega, after na lang natin sabihin. At this point, tumulong muna tayo.”

For her part, Mariel filled her relief bags with items from her own closet, such as “kutsinta” (brown rice cake), sunglasses, and high-heeled shoes.

“Pinagtatawanan nga nila (typhoon victims) ako, eh. Hindi naman daw kasi nila kailangan ‘yun. Eh alangan namang magbigay ako ng wala ako! So sabi ko ‘Kung hindi niyo magagamit, ibenta niyo na lang.’”

Mariel is grateful to “Meg,” the clothing line she endorses, for giving out P200,000 worth of clothes. Globe, one of their sponsors on “Wowowee,” also pitched in a million pesos.

Everyone should “make a conscious effort” to answer this “wake-up call for us,” Mariel said.

“Walang pinili si Ondoy eh, diba lahat talaga! Na-test tayo bilang mga Pilipino. Pero nakita ko ‘yung effort ng bawat isa (na makatulong), kahit ano pa ‘yun.”

That whether you donate high heels or a pack of instant noodles, it’s the thought that counts.

Mariel considers herself “lucky” and “blessed” that her family was spared from the whip of the Ondoy typhoon.

“Yung family ko, na-traffic sila for six hours,  pero ako hindi naman ako binaha kasi mataas ‘yung floor ng condo ko. I’m really, really so lucky and so thankful,” she beamed.

Where was she at the height of the storm?

“Nasa ABS-CBN. Swimmer ako pero scared akong ma-stuck or pasukin yung kotse ng tubig. Sobrang takot ako sa baha. Never ko pa kasing na-experience,” said she who was texting with he boyfriend Zanjoe Marudo the whole time Ondoy raged.

Mariel returns to the ABS-CBN primetime block with Toni Gonzaga and Bianca Gonzales for “Pinoy Big Brother Double Up.” Announcement of the new “PBB” housemates will be made on Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.