A nurse that delivered a baby on her way to work and a young cancer patient who paints for a cause are among the many Filipinos who have proven that when things get tough, Filipinos do not just fight and survive, they also become each other’s heroes.
ABS-CBN recently launched the “Lingkod Ng Isa’t Isa” campaign to pay tribute to those who continue to serve despite the challenges and losses during this pandemic, and to encourage the public to help uplift lives in their own way.
Featured in the “Lingkod Ng Isa’t Isa” microsite (https://news.abs-cbn.com/LingkodNgIsatIsa) are several stories of everyday heroism by Filipinos that were reported by ABS-CBN News or shared by “Bayan Mo, Ipatrol Mo.” The goal is to bring hope and inspiration to people through real-life accounts of kindness, ingenuity, and compassion among Filipinos. Netizens are also encouraged to share more of this type of stories on social media using the official hashtag #LingkodPinas.
Here are seven times Filipinos showed that each one of us can be a hero.
1) NURSE HELPS DELIVER A STREET DWELLER’S BABY
Twenty-nine-year-old nurse Mary Lorraine Pingol was all over the news and social media recently after helping a woman give birth in Makati City. She was on her way to work when she saw a rescue team attending to a street dweller in labor. “There’s no other person to help them kundi ako at that period of time, kaya tumulong na ako,” she recounted. Diagnosed with leukemia in 2013, Mary Lorraine fought through her sickness and pursued her calling. Her desire to help proved stronger and as she recently showed, she did not even need to be in the hospital to serve others.
2) “FAKE” SPIDERMAN BRINGS REAL JOY TO WIFE, CLIENTS
They say being a superhero takes more than donning a costume, but in the case of delivery rider Jheelan Ocon, going to work in a Spider-man suit is his simple but effective way of bringing smiles to his clients. The 31-year old is also a real-life hero to his wife, who has chronic kidney disease. Jheelan gave up his work in Makati to personally take care of her and their three kids in Batangas. “Sa sitwasyon po ng asawa ko hindi ko rin po alam kung hanggang kailan po siya kaya pinili ko po talaga na makasama ko siya at pamilya ko, ‘yung remaining gusto ko nasa tabi niya ako,” he said.
3) FREE TAHO FOR FRONTLINERS
Sometimes a warm cup of taho is enough to boost you for another long, busy day at work. Healthcare worker Paolo Bianco Villar Bartolo shared with Bayan Mo, Ipatrol Mo how thankful he and his colleagues are to taho vendor Rolando Urbina, who has been giving away the delightful treat for free to frontliners like him. “Malaking tulong din po ‘yung ginagawa ni Kuya Rolando eh kahit paano po nagkakalaman ‘yung tiyan namin bago po kami magsimula sa duty,” he said. As a frontliner, Paolo and his fellow frontliners are seen as heroes in the fight against COVID-19. Rolando is a hero on his own right too, as he goes out of his way to cheer up workers in Sta. Ana Hospital with taho during community quarantine.
4) BAYANIHAN IN AUSTRALIA
The bayanihan spirit is alive and well among Filipinos in Australia. With many overseas workers losing jobs abroad due to the pandemic, a group of Filipinos formed a response team that deliver canned goods, noodles, soap, and other basic necessities to those in need. They also use cash donations to buy vegetables from Pinoy vendors. “Bilang Pilipino, ginawa po namin ito sa tulong na ating kababayang Pilipino dahil ramdam din natin ang kanilang nararamdaman nila ngayon dahil dumaan din kami sa temporary working visa at sa napakahirap na sitwasyon,” said Reynaldo Manlutac, a Filipino migrant in Australia. Like him, Filipino chef Edward Ocampo and businesswoman Vangie Reyes have also been helping their kababayans through cooking for them. “We are here, the Filipino community. We are your family. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions,” Em Wills, another generous Filipino, said.
5) YOUNG CANCER PATIENT USES ART TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FRONTLINERS
Nine year-old Aedan Pio Malvar is no stranger to healthcare workers. Suffering from a rare type of bone cancer, he has witnessed firsthand the commitment and sacrifices of medical professionals in helping their patients get better. As our frontliners continue to lead the fight against COVID-19, Pio has decided to be the one to help them this time. Using his love for the arts, he began to sell his paintings of stars, planets, and the galaxy to raise funds for frontliners. “Surprised ako kasi ‘di ko inakala na maraming magkakagusto ng artwork ko, na kahit para sa ‘kin hindi sila masyadong perfect. Siyempre happy na nakakatulong ako the same way na tinulungan ako ng mga tao,” he said. Among the beneficiaries of Pio’s art project are Brave Warrior Kids Foundation (BWKF) and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Medical Foundation.
6) FOOD STOPOVER FOR RIDERS
Without a doubt, delivery riders are among the unsung heroes during this pandemic. They are the ones going out to get food and other needs for people who are staying at home due to the community quarantine, rain or shine. Wanting to honor them for their hard work, Anali Lorraine Mojica and her friends started a “free food stopover,” offering free lunch and drinking water to delivery riders in Bangkal, Makati City. “Yung target namin talaga ay ‘yung masisipag nating delivery riders na tumutulong sa’ tin ngayong lockdown. Kasi dapat pati sila i-cheer at i-salute natin ngayong may ganito tayong pandemic,” she said.
7) SCHOLAR USES ALLOWANCE TO HELP SCHOOL STAFF, FRONTLINERS
After receiving his P3,000 allowance from the local government, 15 year-old Jarred Gaviola could have bought himself something nice or save the money for future use. However, the incoming Grade 10 student chose to use it to help people who need it more instead. Through his small sacrifice, Jarred was able to help about 200 families, including workers in Muntinlupa Science High School and frontliners. “Para po sa akin, ang edad at estado sa buhay ay hindi po dahilan para di makatulong sa kapwa,” he said. A Bayan Patroller, Jarred is not done helping yet. This month, he stared calling for donations that he will use to buy face masks for distribution to people.
Do you know a story of everyday heroism by a Filipino during this pandemic? Share it on social media and use the official hashtage #LingkodPinas. Read other inspiring stories in the “Lingkod Ng Isa’t Isa” microsite (https://news.abs-cbn.com/LingkodNgIsatIsa) and continue watching ABS-CBN’s “Tinig Ng Mga Nawalan” tribute video for Filipinos on Facebook and YouTube.
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