I initially shared this on my instagram account. The head of CNN Philippines was so moved by the story of Sgt. Macaiba that they interviewed me the following evening to talk about my experience in one of their news shows, which in turn, led to an increase of volunteer inquiries. It was a beautiful reminder of how stories engender empathy and compassion. xxx
When the pandemic reached the country, VP Leni Robredo told her team, “We respond to the worst of times with the best of ourselves.”
I got to see this firsthand when I reported for volunteer duty. Despite limited resources, the Office of the Vice President swiftly responded to the crisis with various programs: from delivering PPEs to hospitals and providing a free shuttle service, to commissioning the local production of PPEs and offering temporary housing for frontliners who don’t want to go home and risk exposing their families to the virus.
During my shift, I met a nurse who said she feels afraid to go to the hospital every single day, but that she “cannot not show up” for her patients.
We gave a ride to several passengers with the same story- how they would walk for 3-4 hours so they could go to work, many of them market vendors, bank tellers, and security guards. They do so with a sense of duty- not just to their loved ones who are counting on their earnings, but also to those who are in need of the products/services they offer.
My picture was taken by Sgt. Macaiba who saw me standing outside the shuttle and said, ‘Bagay ka dun sa label na service.’ After our first shift, he bought me Gatorade to celebrate. I asked him if he was afraid to catch the virus. While I had the option to volunteer whenever I please, he is exposed and at risk every single day. Without pause, he replied, “Hindi ko na iniisip yun. Ngayon tayo kailangan.”
Sgt. Macaiba proudly poses in between stops.
Seeing the public rally behind OVP after that absurd call for an investigation just goes to show that real strength is not found in grand displays of power, but in a person’s indomitable commitment to lead & serve with integrity. And so long as there are people who choose to be the most courageous, most selfless, and most compassionate version of themselves in the face of uncertainty, hope will never dim.
