As of this writing, Bacolod City is already under community quarantine because of Covid-19. This was made following the enhanced community quarantine in Manila. People all over the world are panicking. Bacolodnons are also panicking. But what is very clear and heartwarming is the massive Bayanihan sa Bacolod movement among the private sector. People are moving to help the doctors, nurses, community helpers, and the underprivileged with their own money, brains, and muscle.
Helping Community Helpers: Bayanihan sa Bacolod
The community helpers are helping us fighting the covid-19. But let us also help them. The basic thing we can do is to stay at home and be safe. However, if you can do more, let’s not spare the effort and expense.
Bayanihan is a folk Filipino practice of neighbors pooling their strength together in order to help a family move their house—literally. In Filipino or Araling Panlipunan books, we can find drawings of a group of strong men carrying a nipa hut on their shoulders while a Filipina woman looks out the window.
In modern times, the call for the Bayanihan in Bacolod movement in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic is all digital.
We Are Not Ready for Covid-19
Needless to say, our city is not ready for the Covid-19 crisis. The whole world isn’t. Many people have been taking the warnings for granted. We are lacking in medical supplies like face masks, face shields, alcohol, PPE, and goggles. Doctor and nurses are getting burned out.
Due to the circumstances, we are seeing natural born leaders take the lead. Residents are rising up, but not in an uprising to revolt. Instead, people with knowledge, resources, skills, contacts, and the like have stood up to the challenge to help.
Bacolodnons have banded together to fight the dreaded Covid-19. And it is just awesome to witness this modern-day heroism happening all around us. 24/7, people work hard to gather resources, make materials, and prepare food support the frontliners and provide for their needs. Caterers and moms also make fresh, clean food for the community workers!
It makes me so proud to be a Bacolodnon!
Personal Efforts
There are many people amongst us who have more than enough and who are sharing their resources. I keep myself updated with the activities of people on Facebook and it is heartwarming that street vendors, trisikad and tricycle drivers, and others are being given basic food supplies by good Samaritans.
As they have started the effort, many people have contributed to their cause as well.
From Locals
Ms. Bea of USLS has rounded up her friends to bring supplies and other goods to the Bacolod City Health Lying In Clinic. As we all know, despite the global pandemic, babies who want to be born will not wait. And the nurses need help because they have limited supply.
Hungry Train
The people behind Hungry Train provided hundreds of cups of arroz caldo complete with chicken, egg, chicharon, and fried lumpia. They have delivered these to hospitals for the snacks of our doctors, nurses, and staff.
Meanwhile, they have also started a relief pack for those homeless senior citizens in downtown Bacolod. They are asking for more support from friends to fund their drive. Connect with them on Facebook: ArrozCaldoHungryTrain
Dinner Drive for Health Workers
Meanwhile, Ptr. Jason Ferrer of Victory Silay has rounded up help for a dinner drive for hospital workers. He says that many restaurants and caterers are closed for the night, so it is best to give hearty meals to hospital staff as they work the fronlines. He has worked with some donors and Leia-C in order to bring hot meals to hospital workers.
- Related: List of Bacolod Restaurants
From OFWs
Bacolodnons who are working abroad also send money to help in funding different hospital needs. At the same time, they use their Facebook to network with those who can provide.
One such person is Jessa Shinzato in Japan who keeps mobilizing people to channel help here and there. So much medical supplies, food, and such have been exchanged, thanks to her concern.
Group Efforts
It can be a group of friends of associations, but indeed there is strength in numbers.
Fashion designers of Bacolod City
They have retazos and they have manpower. So the fashion designers of Bacolod City made face masks for distribution. But their efforts have expanded to food and other supplies, thanks to people who keep giving and financing them.
- Related: Trusted Wedding Suppliers of Bacolod
Kat Padilla and Team
Designer Kat Padilla has been on the forefront of fund-raising efforts to give out free PPEs to frontliners. These include the suit, face mask, gloves, goggles, and now the intubation cube.
To donate, join this FB group: Fundraisers for Frontliners
They give an accounting for the donors for transparency.
Dr. Andrea Torre and Dr. Patricia Torre
This mother and daughter team gave out face masks to different groups of frontliners.
St. Scholastica’s Academy
Parents, teachers, and students of St. Scholastica’s Academy-Bacolod have also teamed up. They are asking for monetary donations, goods, as well as volunteers. Please find their contact numbers below.
Dagyaw Negrense
Headquartered at Trinity Christian School, Dagyaw Negrense is another group of private citizens who are collecting food for distribution. They cater to the marginalized sector who need food supply but who cannot compete with those who are buying in bulk. To donate, contact 0922-8188275.
Bacolod Restaurants
Some Bacolod restaurants also prepared meals and snacks for frontliners.
Want to make arroz caldo for our community helpers? Here’s how: Special Arroz Caldo Recipe
Corporate Efforts
Companies are also pooling their resources and sending out help whatever they can. One notable effort is that of Megaworld Corporation. They donated 1000 liters of disinfectant alcohol and 5000 face masks to hospitals and clinics in Bacolod City.
It can be noted that Dr. Andrew L. Tan, president and CEO of Allianz Global, was recently named the honorary mayor of Bacolod City. He did not forget Bacolod.
Perhaps the biggest impact that a private group has done is that of the Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Together with private individuals, they rounded up thousands of gallons of Zonrox bleach, which they use to disinfect the streets of Bacolod. Read more about their story: Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade Disinfects Bacolod City Streets
Sharing of Information
On Facebook, a new public group is formed called the Bacolod Food and Supply Sources. The purpose of the group is to connect sellers to people who need their merchandise. As non-essentials stores are closed, there are many displaced sellers who have nowhere to display their stocks. You can post and ask questions there, too. Let’s help each other this way.
Bayanihan Mission is Born
The Bayanihan Mission is born here in Bacolod City. It is a group of private citizens who have teamed up with a more institutionalized approach to help our frontliners and the underprivileged. People willingly share their resources like money, time, and effort in packing, campaigning, and purchasing. Companies like Ysabella’s Rentals provided tents and chairs for the volunteers.
Bayanihan Mission is accepting both donations in cash and in kind. They accept basic necessities like rice, canned goods, eggs, cooking oil, soap, among others. You can deliver these to Unit 5B, 2nd Lacson St., Bacolod City. But if you can’t, they can pick it up for you. Just please contact +63 917 310 8694 for your concerns.
Cash donations can be sent through the details below:
Josephine Grace Rojo
* BDO Savings Account – 001960453775
* BPI Savings Account – 3619 0272 63
If you visit their website, there is a Paypal donate button there, too. https://bayanihanmission.com/
Thank You For All that You Do
This list is far from complete, so please don’t be mad. I hope that I don’t offend anybody. If you want somebody to thank and be included here, just send me an e-mail.
I am just writing this down to thank everyone and to encourage you to continue with Bayanihan sa Bacolod. God knows your good deeds. And with this, I am confident that we can successfully surpass this covid-19 health crisis because we are all working together.
More than meeting hunger, all these efforts also feed the heart and soul. It is letting people know that they are not alone in this battle, hence the Bayanihan spirti.
We are modern-day heroes! No badges nor titles just hearts and passion to give and serve.
God bless us all!
No to Fake News
Please everyone, I encourage you to stop posting fake news about Covid-19. We are already having enough trouble in our world. Our society doesn’t need fake news and more panic. Let’s cooperate so that we can all surpass this.
You may also like
Negros Power to Grant Amnesty for Illegal Connections – Castro
Atlas Hardware Inc. for Construction, Engineering, and Industrial Needs
Atlas Hardware Bacolod: A Builder’s Haven for Industrial Needs
Citadines Bacolod: Ascott Limited Launches Latest Property
Blessing of Negros Power Business Operations Center in Bacolod City
It’s really heartwarming to see all these efforts. Good to know that we’re not running out of good Samaritans even in this really trying times. I hope all communities/cities are like this and hope to hear more about them. We need to hear good news, too, other than statistics. Covid-19 is just so scary!
As a Filipino citizen, I appreciate bayanihan in our culture.