Philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), John Locke (1632-1704), Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) and Pelagius (360-420 AD) believe that humans are inherently good in the state of nature—that is, before societies were formed and principalities or politics reigned as controlling factors of human behavior.
Thus, humans “have perfect freedom to order their actions according to the laws of nature, without having to ask permission to act from any other person, because people are of equal value.”
Even in modern societies, it is natural for humans to help fellow humans who are in danger or dire straits during crisis or disasters.
In the Philippines — where calamities are common occurrences year after year with typhoons, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and man-made disasters like the Marawi siege — people always come together to help one another displaying the innate Filipino characteristic called bayanihan.
Derived from the word bayan, which means nation, town or country, it literally means “being in a bayan,” referring to the spirit of communal unity, work and cooperation to achieve a particular goal. In paintings of old, bayanihan is traditionally illustrated by a group of able-bodied male members of a community carrying a bahay kubo to another location.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic and outside of government programs, Filipinos have come together to display the bayanihan spirit once more, especially in support of frontliners. Celebrities, politicians, business owners, entrepreneurs, artists and even ordinary citizens have used their influence and own resources to lighten the burden of those involved in bringing peace and order, and medical support and health services in this crisis that has affected the whole world.
Hospital food drive
Among these goodhearted people are couple Mario and Desiree Ann “Des” Benipayo, who used their kitchen and catering facilities to provide food for health workers at the Lung Center of the Philippines, V. Luna Medical Center, Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital (Tala) and several other community health centers.
Mario, who is grandson of the patriot Jose Abad Santos, and Des, who is a book author specializing on World War 2 memoirs, own Gourmet Trays (pasta resto) and Sushi To-Go (sushi bar) restaurants. They are also into the catering business.
“But since we are not operating, we turned our efforts to this hospital food drive. I also do the cooking from time to time pag rest day ni chef. Stress relief ko ang magluto, basta nakahiwa na lahat,” Des shared with The Sunday Times Magazine.
It was on March 15, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte declared a metro-wide community quarantine when a good friend of Des who is a volunteer psychologist at the Lung Center asked if they can help provide food for the frontliners there.
“We have been churning 200 to 300 food packs a day since then. From Lung Center, we have expanded our food drive to V. Luna Medical Center, Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital (Tala), and several health centers like Sauyo and Banlat District Health Centers. And this has been possible because of my dedicated kitchen staff who are heroes in this effort as well,” she said.
Besides health workers, the couple also included military personnel manning checkpoints in several locations around Quezon City in their food deliveries.
“One very touching moment for me was when the Army medical team deployed in the different checkpoints were given food packs from our kitchen. They didn’t touch it at first and said to their chief, ‘Sir, baka para po sa St. Luke’s ito.’ They couldn’t believe that someone would care enough to send them food,” she related, her voice shaking with emotion.
Their food drive quickly set fire to the bayanihan spirit, mobilizing family members, friends, relatives and groups in her circle who generously contribute cash and in kind without even thinking twice.
“One cousin of mine mobilized her peer group, and another cousin his alumni association. That formed bulk of the seed money. I am so blessed to be surrounded by very supportive friends and family. Bayanihan will really see us through this crisis. You see, the Filipino term bayanihan is so unique. Aside from the root word ‘bayan,’ I also see another one – ‘bayani’ (hero),” she said.
Sense of purpose
Just like any human who gets tired and weary, Des too experienced an instance whereby she seemed to have loosened her grip of the endeavor.
“Sa totoo lang, around the fourth or fifth day that we were doing this, I was feeling so tired, and I started questioning myself, ‘Why am I doing this when I could just be watching Netflix or catching up on my reading?’ And then that night, Dr. Gerodias of V. Luna [Medical Center] sent me a text message about how the soldiers and Army medical staff deployed in the checkpoints couldn’t believe that someone cared enough to send them dinner. That changed everything. I felt gratified, and most of all, I felt a strong sense of purpose. That was, and still is my motivation in continuing this,” she looked back.
As for Mario, he feels that this food drive is a good opportunity to lift the morale of those in the frontlines.
“If we regular people feel fear, uncertainty and helplessness in this situation, what more our frontliners who are battling these emotions daily while facing an invisible enemy,” he said, adding that he is in full support of Des because, “Happy wife, [means] happy life!”
“Although our immediate future is so uncertain, one is filled with hope when one feels the goodness of man. It’s true that man is inherently good. I feel blessed to have been given this opportunity to serve,” the restaurant owner-book author-wife-mother and exemplar of humanity concluded to The Sunday Times Magazine.
For those who are interested to join the Benipayos in their food drive for frontliners as the lockdown continues amid the Covid-19 pandemic, you may post your details on the Gourmet Trays Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/gourmettrays.ph/), or text/call 09989542700.