The coronavirus pandemic knows no boundaries, but it cannot stop the Bayanihan spirit to shine through.
Hundreds of overseas Filipinos in the UAE —from members of community groups to ordinary people —lend their helping hand to their fellowmen in need.
Many of these Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), The Filipino Times learned, have been donating essential goods and items—such as sacks of rice, trays of eggs, canned goods, and other essentials — for those struggling with their daily needs after suffering pay cuts, temporary loss of jobs, and redundancies because of the pandemic.
These OFWs are hailed for their compassion and spirit of bayanihan, collaborating and pooling resources with friends and community organizations through social media to help those in need.
Together we stand
In Abu Dhabi, the Bayanihan Council in Abu Dhabi that forms the umbrella group of all Filipino organizations in the emirate, has done its part to provide assistance and bring aid to over hundreds of individuals in need by bringing them directly to their villas and flats as it mobilized several members who have their own vehicles.
“Naka-face mask man ang lahat ang aming naabutan ng tulong ay kitang-kita naman sa mata nila ang tuwa at pasasalamat mula sa paghahatid natin ng pangangailangan ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino. Ito ang oras na magbayanihan ang bawat isang may kakayanan dahil ang kalaban natin dito ay oras. Let’s help if we have a chance to do so,” said Bayanihan Chairman Ronald Precilla.
Several more Filipino organizations have begun repacking goods from their own homes to provide relief for their fellow compatriots and other expats in need. OFW Global Movement For Empowerment (OFWGME) Abu Dhabi Chapter Adviser Sheryl Palacios-Manalo stated that this is a time for action and not indifference.
“Sa panahon ngayon, lahat ng mga Pilipinong meron pang kakayahan na tumulong ay dapat kumilos at makiisa. Marami kaming natanggap na messages na humihingi ng makakain, hindi pwedeng ipikit mo lang ang iyong mga mata at wala kang gagawin man lang para sa mga apektadong kababayan,” said Palacios-Manalo whose group has provided food packs to over a hundred Filipinos and expats.
Another Filipino group, the Association of United Filipino Workers for Welfare and Assistance in Abu Dhabi (AUFWWAAD) initiated a relief drive by pooling their resources together to provide goods for over 250 individuals.
“Batid namin na marami ang mga nangangailangan kaya kami po ay nagkaisa na mag ambag-ambag para matulungan kahit food assistance ang mga nawalan ng trabaho, mga naka tourist visa at mga No Work, No Pay,” said AUFWWAAD Adviser Jennifer Paredes.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood International Maharlika Inc. (PGBI-MI) in the UAE shared that providing aid to OFWs in times of need has always been part of their mission.
“Pagtulong sa kapwa ang aming misyon at marami sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino at maging members namin ay nawalan ng work at sahod dahil sa no work no pay policy ng kanilang company kaya naman minabuti namin na kahit papano ay mabigyan sila ng kaunting tulong,” said PGBI-MI Overseas Vice President Samuel Magsombol.
Support from the heart
In Al Ain, several groups have initiated another drive to bring food around villas and flats of Filipinos in need of food supply. The Filipino Community in Al Ain (FilCom Al Ain) distributed at least a few kilos of rice to help them get by.
“Marami po sa aming mga kilala ay mga no work no pay na, may mga humihingi kahit pang bigas lang. Sa panahon ngayon halos lahat po ay may mga sariling pangangailangan kaya po it is a challenge also for us to ask for support from our friends dito sa Al Ain. Ngunit bilang Pilipino mas nangingibabaw po sa atin ang pag tugon sa pagtulong sa higit na may kailangan,” said FilCom Al Ain Executive Chairman Emmalyn Apagar, whose group had distributed over 400 sets of goods. The group also thanked a local hypermarket who provided them with a huge discount to help them secure the goods that they eventually provided for the community.
The Confederation of Ilocano Association Inc. (CIAI) Samahang Ilocano Al Ain Chapter, also intensified their outreach programs, helping around 800 individuals to date after collecting over 650 sacks of rice at five kilograms each along with other canned goods and necessities in collaboration with several individuals and fellow community groups.
“Nakita namin na maraming mga kababayan natin ang naapektuhan ng mga kaganapang dulot ng pagkalat ng COVID-19, kaya naman mas pinagigting pa namin ang pamimigay ng tulong na regular naming ginagawa. Wala namang ibang magtutulungan kundi tayo-tayong mga Pilipino,” said CIAI Samahang Ilocano UAE National Adviser Saudi Marantan.
Individuals doing their part
Benevolence seen in the spirit of Bayanihan between Filipinos has also reached even private Filipino individuals as they have stepped out to provide aid as well.
Angelea Godinez-Manila, an events coordinator who has been working in Abu Dhabi for eight years, shares that this is her way of giving back.
“I’m blessed and thankful for a lot of things, especially during this crisis. My family and friends are all safe, we still have our jobs and we can still provide for ourselves. I guess this is my simple way of giving back. And I also want to encourage others to do the same,” said Godinez-Manila, who, with the help of her friends and family members, provided support for over 300 individuals to date through her private Facebook group – Helping Hands.
Gina Dillon, admin and creator of the Freecycle Abu Dhabi (Original) Facebook page where many more Filipinos and other expats are turning up to share their blessings, continues to thank all of her fellow expats who chimed in to help others.
“I am so proud of our expat community. Bless everyone who has extended a helping hand to those who are less fortunate. It is definitely an extension of the giving spirit of FreeCycle Abu Dhabi. A sincere and heartfelt thank you to everyone!,” said Dillon whose members have already provided more or less 2000 food packs for those in need in the capital.
Irene Padeos-Banilao, an Abu Dhabi-based receptionist working for over 11 years in the country, has provided over a dozen packages to fellow Filipinos from her own pocket as she sought to help those who don’t have food on their plate at the moment.
“There is this feeling inside me that when I extend help, it provides food for my soul. I feel like I have am on the right path and doing my true purpose in my lifetime. Packages we have given include necessities like Rice, oates, Milk, coffee, tea, biscuit, corner beef, noodles, soap, and toothpaste,” shares Banilao who has helped over 100 individuals to date.
AI Robotics Engineer Lilac Hosalla Schonberg has also pooled her resources to provide for over 100 individuals.
“I realized that a lot of people specially our kabayans have lost their jobs, and just wanted to help in my own little way. I will continue giving dry good packs for the next weeks. They may contact my assistant: Marriane Malonzo,” said Schonberg.
To date, these Filipino organizations and individuals have collectively sent out thousands of food packs to their fellow expats.
