Amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Philippines, the spirit of bayanihan continues to inspire Filipinos to hope that help is just around the corner.
Answering the call to extend a hand to Filipinos in need, Emperador, Inc.—the world’s largest brandy company—sponsored three mobile kitchens of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as part of the latter’s massive feeding program initiative.
Through the partnership with Emperador and other donors, the AFP Mobile Kitchen was able to prepare 9,000 hot meals for poor families in Pasig City, particularly in the areas of Caliwag and Villa Monique in Barangay Pinagbuhatan; Sandoval, Rodrigo, Villa Aurora, Riverside, Floodway Westbank in Barangay Maybunga; and various purok from Barangay Manggahan.
“Our bayanihan spirit is what will bring us success during this time. Victory will be ours. We will celebrate again,” said Winston Co, president of Emperador Inc.
Abiding by the required safety measures and protocols, the house-to-house distribution of meals was conducted with the health and security of everyone observed as top priority.
“The AFP is truly grateful to Emperador and all other sponsors, donors, and volunteers who answered our call for bayanihan and believed in our program Kapwa Ko, Sagot Ko. The AFP Mobile Kitchen has become a vessel of blessings to our kababayan in need. More than just the hot meals we gave, we truly believe that we were able to share hope, a taste of happiness, and faith in humanity,” said Major Louzel Lara, commander of the Media and Civil Affairs Group of the AFP Civil Relations Service.
The Civil Relations Service utilized the AFP Mobile Kitchen Bus to help those in dire need of support during this time, with the aim of feeding the homeless, street dwellers, and informal settlers who are among the most vulnerable sectors of society.
“Thank you to Emperador for the trust and support. Who would have known that Emperador – the soldiers' brandy during happy hours – can also be a partner in our advocacy and in our bayanihan,” Lara added.