A Chance to Serve in the Time of COVID-19

Pandemics like the COVID-19 are unpredictable. It is a hit or miss and we may or not be ready for it. It's just so sad that once it does hit us, it brings out fear and panic. My commute last Monday was scary. Even if I was wearing a mask, I wasn't really able to practice social distancing because only the schools were suspended. I still have to go to work and with limited transportation, I had to wait for two hours just so I could get a ride. But aside from that, it brought fear because we have two senior citizens in our home. 

With fear and panic in my mind, I still wanted to reassure myself that the government has our best interests at heart. Believe me, I tried watching the news even if I'm still trying to go home but my take-away during the President's address was to stay at home. "Sumunod ka nalang". "Wag ka na lumaban". "Ako na magbayad sa tindahan".

You see, my Dad was very stern while I was growing up. But he made sure to make rules - clear rules whenever we did something wrong. But during the press conference, many confused secretary heads and LGU leaders scrambling day to day to find solutions that pop up. Just take example on the controversial Metro Manila Mayor who admittedly said that the President's instructions were vague.  

But as days passed, I was thankful that so many people stepped up despite the haziness of the situation. VP Leni provided transpo for our health workers after the  interagency task force banned all types of public transportation from operating. Pasig, Marikina, Valenzuela, Makati have all implemented dependable plans to provide for their constituents’ needs. 

The Ayalas and Manny Pangilinan (MVP) were also first ones to show compassion towards Filipinos shortly after all these started. It’s interesting to me because not so long ago, the President branded them as no-good ‘oligarchs’. Yet they were among the first businessmen to help out their employees. The Gokongweis, the Sy family, financial institutions as Metrobank, BPI, BDO, Meralco, Maynilad—all contributed as well to helping out institutions in this time of crisis.

Other businesses are showing compassion and decisive action in helping out. Coca-Cola, Jollibee, Filinvest, San Miguel,  the Razons, Aboitizes, Tans—all showed solidarity with every Filipino in this uncertain times.

They say take it takes a village to raise a child. Now, I see this country as a child - waiting to be nurtured to finally get up and heal. We can always criticize, but at the end of the day, nothing beats helping each other in trying times and focus on your capacity to help - may it be in a big or small way. After all, this is just a disease, we are all Filipinos who are known for our resiliency.