"May we find other ways to harness the spirit of bayanihan to lighten the burdens of those whose basic needs are neglected by the government."
"May we find other ways to harness the spirit of bayanihan to lighten the burdens of those whose basic needs are neglected by the government."It all started with one young woman’s desire to help those who are without food during this most difficult time. Ana Patricia Non, “Patreng” to those who know her, just wanted to put up a small community pantry along Maginhawa St. in Quezon City where those who want to help can donate food and those needing food can go and get from whatever is there. This is quite evident in her use of an ordinary bamboo cart that she filled with basic grocery items and fresh produce.
The scheme is simple and aptly captured by the sign she placed. It read, “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan.” No fuss, people can drop-off what they can share with others, and those who need food can line up and take turns in getting the items they need. Patreng’s gut feel was correct. People needing food showed up.
The Maginhawa Community Pantry caught the attention of a journalist who promptly posted it on social media. The initiative caught fire and before long, like mushrooms, many other community pantries started to appear in various parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. What Patreng started as a small initiative was replicated many times over by like-minded Filipinos who were willing to help others who needed assistance. Now, it has become a nationwide movement. People have chosen to be kind to others.
Patreng sparked the kindness in the Filipino with a simple, easy-to-replicate idea that puts the real spirit of “bayanihan” at the forefront. The community pantry initiative has shown everybody that feeding big numbers of people can be done with small resources that are pooled together.
Frankly, this initiative has put to shame the government for massively failing to provide even the most basic of needs, such as food, to those needing the assistance despite the huge financial resources at its disposal. Perhaps this is what is feared by those who rabidly support this administration as well as officials in government like the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Spokesperson Antonio Parlade, Jr.
Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS) on social media lost no time in red-tagging Patreng insinuating that she had links with the Communist movement as “evidenced” by the pace and efficiency by which many other community pantries were set-up. They said that this could not be done if it were not an organized endeavor.
If they sincerely believed this, their DDS logic betrayed their distrust of and disbelief in the capacity of Filipinos to do good. They could not believe that there are many among us who would choose kindness when the opportunity comes. The red-tagging continued and was supported by the NTF-ELCAC spokesperson who went on full blast to vilify Patreng. Parlade went as far as contemptuously likening Non to Satan.
Some elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) started their own way of profiling Non. They went to her several times asking for personal details and organizational affiliation. The police had no basis for doing this since Patreng was not wanted for anything illegal. On the contrary, she was helping those who urgently needed help. It was normal for her to feel harassed and threatened. Rightfully, she felt that she was in danger so she issued a statement, sought the help of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and faced the media.
The good thing is, Patreng is made up of sterner stuff. She knew what to do and how to respond to the trickiest of questions. She stood her ground and received massive support from the people, the Quezon City government, and other government officials.
Even the Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said, “Kindness is everyone’s color. Kahit ano pa ang paniniwala basta taos pusong tumutulong, sususportahan natin. The DND appreciates and supports these community pantries. We are ready to assist if requested and, if necessary, to deploy the AFP Mobile Kitchens where they are needed.
The NTF-ELCAC came under fire. Some senators even went as far as calling for Parlade’s office to be defunded. In social media, there were strong calls for Parlade’s removal from office, defunding, or outright scrapping of the entire NTF-ELCAC.
In contrast, kindness continued to pour onto the Maginhawa Community Pantry and to many more similar pantries that have been set-up even in the Visayas and Mindanao. The fundraiser for Maginhawa is also a big success to the point that it is now poised to assist other pantries needing help for goods to be distributed.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is said to have also helped Maginhawa. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) itself has set-up its own pantry and there are reports that it will establish others in other places. Pictures of soldiers bringing vegetables to community pantries also started circulating.
It all started with one woman’s desire to feed those who need food but the Filipino people have found a way to choose and show kindness to our citizens who are less fortunate.
May the community pantry spirit live on and may we find other ways to harness the spirit of bayanihan to lighten the burdens of those whose basic needs are neglected by the government. May more Patrengs stand up and take action.
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