Inspired by the noble initiative of Ana Patricia Non to set up a community pantry, the spirit of Bayanihan sparked even more as celebrities are willing to lend a hand to people who are living in extreme hardship due to the pandemic.
A death marred the distribution of free food items at the birthday community pantry of Angel Locsin, but still, it did not hinder other celebrities to follow Locsin’s work of kindness.
Kier Legaspi.
On April 26, 2021, actor Kier Legaspi has extended his helping hand by organizing a community pantry on his own in his neighborhood in Marikina.
In an Instagram post where he collaged some photos, Kier was holding two placards reminding the people to observe social distancing and to wear their face shields properly.
He then thanked his wife for helping him out and wrote, “Sa kabila ng aking pag gawa isang bagay ang alam ko. Ako’y isang aliping walang kabuluhan.
“To God be the Glory! Thank you wifey @jclfablife for supporting! #teamwork #husbandandwife.”
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Daniel Padilla.
As a celebration of actor Daniel Padilla’s 26th birthday, he organized a community pantry in Tacloban together with his mom actress Karla Estrada.
With the help of Karla’s friends, they were able to set up a community pantry at Pope Francis Village, one of the Typhoon Yolanda housing projects in Tacloban. The community pantry was called Sangkay Community Pantry.
According to Rowena Laceras-Young, Karla’s friend, they initially prepared goods for 500 beneficiaries.
“As we all in San really loves Tacloban and it is always on top of their list whenever they can to help,” she said.
To recall, Karla and Daniel were one of the first celebrities to extend their help among those affected and ravaged by Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. During the implementation of community quarantine due to pandemic in 2020, they also extended their help in Tacloban.
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Jovit Baldivino.
ABS-CBN singer Jovit Baldivino is now on his fifth day of donating food items through a community pantry. He set up his community pantry at Batangas on April 21, 2020.
He posted a live video on facebook while he was serving at his community pantry. To avoid crowd chaos, Jovit has assistance from the LGU to maintain social distancing.
Iyah Mina.
The same day as Kier Legaspi and Daniel Padilla have set up their community pantries, actress Iyah Mina did the same thing.
Iyah Mina and her Project GR8 team organized a community pantry in Immaculate Concepcion Parish in Sangandaan, Quezon City.
She mentioned that approximately 500 beneficiaries were able to receive their essential food items from their community pantry.
Community Pantry might start as meek with little donations but with its intention to donate food items to everyone, it spreads rapidly over the country.
Before Angel Locsin’s Birthday-cum-community pantry, celebrities Pokwang, Paolo Ballesteros, and Gabbi Garcia organized their respective community pantries as they braved the possibilities of them being red-tagged.
The community pantry became more controversial when a 67-year old, Rolando Dela Cruz died while waiting for his turn to receive essential goods from Angel Locsin’s community pantry on April 23, 2021. The family of the deceased, though grieving, did not blame anyone as they believe no one is to be blamed for the tragedy.
