The province of Batangas has been under a state of calamity after the eruption of the famous Taal Volcano. Thousands of people and animals have been displaced and evacuated following hazardously thick ashfall. Billions of pesos worth of damages have also been noted.
Despite this, the Filipino trait of providing assistance, of bayanihan, and being good neighbors has shone through, with groups small and large lending a helping hand.
ARC Refreshments Corp., makers of RC Cola, is one of those companies. Its immediate donation of a total of 1,900 cases or 22,800 bottles of beverages benefited the urgent needs of many evacuees in the Department of Science and Technology area in Tagaytay City, Batangas City Stadium, Bauan Technical High School, Alitagtag Police Station, and the St. Padre Pio Shrine in Sto. Tomas.
As the threat of Taal’s hazardous eruption looms and as many families try to recover, relief efforts made by generous ‘good neighbor’ companies like the ARC Refreshments Corporation continue to give sparks of hope that can best be summarized through their very own Alon’s tagline: drink positive!
The company’s latest donation drive was conducted on January 19, in collaboration with the Ang Lingkod Ng Panginoon Batangas branch. Alongside ARC’s donation of 200 cases of Alon water and 200 cases of RC Cola were relief goods consisting of blankets, rice, canned goods, and hygiene kits.
A total of three trucks and four pick-up vehicles were also lent by the company to deliver the relief goods to San Jose and San Luis, Batangas.
ARC general sales manager Jojo Esguerra expressed the company’s desire to bring tangible help, renewed hope, and much-needed inspiration through their donations.
“We don’t want calamities like this to happen again. [Nonetheless], we would like Filipinos to know that ARC will be here to help and accompany them — always,” he said. “We are committed to help our fellow men in times of need.”
ARC Refreshments’ driving spirit is founded on Filipino pride, resilience, and the value of bayanihan. As such, their immediate response to the needs of their calamity-stricken fellowmen was second nature. This, of course, did not go unnoticed.
Both the evacuees and volunteers wholeheartedly thanked the firm for their assistance.
“We are grateful to receive this kind of support from ARC. They also made the distribution of all the relief goods easier for us,” said Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon member Gelai Castillo.
“I even personally experienced the willingness, eagerness, and joy of our driver as our team delivered the goods to the farthest parts of San Luis, Batangas!”
Clareze Onda, a teacher in San Luis Batangas, who also led the distribution to the evacuees, sang praises for the beverage company.
“It is the first time that relief goods were delivered [to the] school. When someone called to inform me that relief goods would be delivered, I was very happy,” she said.
The smiles of gratitude on the faces of their beneficiaries proved to be more than a sufficient return for ARC Refreshments Corp.
“We see the people receiving donations with a smile despite what they went through – this is a statement of Filipino resilience. We are very blessed to be able to help,” said ARC Regional Sales Manager Ricky Estrella.