The gift of hope and new opportunity. This is exactly what a brand of banana ketchup intended to give as it recently celebrated its 50th year in the local food industry.
NutriAsia’s UFC tapped celebrity endorsers to be part of its 50 Acts of Kindness campaign. The celebrities, who supported the brand through the years, helped select the families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic who each received a special gift.
Comedienne Ai-Ai delas Alas nominated Ronald Sto. Domingo. Domingo, 50, worked as a choreographer before the pandemic struck and froze the projects that gave him a steady stream of income.
To support himself and his aging father, Domingo turned to cooking and selling food online.
Despite his difficulties, his innate kindness and generosity remained. As he worked hard to provide for his family, he also reached out to people who needed support as well.
“Since may pandemic, binigay ko po yung kinikita ko sa mga frontliners,” he shared. “Kahit hindi ko po sila kilala, matulungan ko lang po sila, masaya na po ako nun.”
On Dec. 13 and 14, Domingo and six other families received a Sama-samang Sarap ng Pamilya bundle from UFC. The bundle came with a sari-sari store package that included a signage as well as various NutriAsia products and grocery items; a bicycle with a basket for groceries; and a laptop with pocket Wi-Fi.
Another beneficiary nominated by Delas Alas was Michelle Morte, a 40-year-old mother of three. Formerly a salon worker, Morte now stays at home with her children and her husband who is unable to work after suffering a stroke. Over the past few months, she has gotten by through selling ice, soap, and sundry items to help support her family.
Through it all, Morte remained hopeful and undaunted. Her family is a constant reminder that there are things to be grateful for even in the worst of times.
“Naging inspirasyon ko ang pamilya ko,” she said. “At least kahit hirap, masaya pa rin kami. Magkakasama pa rin kami kahit may pinagdadaanang crisis.”
Delas Alas also nominated Juanita M. Caponga, a 76-year-old widow who helps support her daughter’s family; and Calvin T. Zabale, a single father of two who lost his job as a waiter and now works as a delivery man.
Aside from Delas Alas, the Guerrero siblings also nominated multiple beneficiaries to receive a Sama-samang Sarap ng Pamilya package this Christmas.
Among them was Ilene G. Labador, a 24-year-old housewife who’s been struggling to sustain their family’s needs ever since her husband lost his job as a construction worker.
Another was Reynaldo Jose, a 53-year-old contractor struggling to support his family after the pandemic took away most of his construction projects.
OPM rapper Gloc-9 also joined UFC’s 50 Acts of Kindness campaign by nominating Carlito Bolima, a 48-year-old tricycle driver who toils from 4:00 a.m. to midnight every day to feed his wife and three children.