Community pantries: Proof that Filipinos can unite over common good
April 22, 2021

Ana Patricia Non, organizer of the Maginhawa community pantry (Photo by Mark Z. Saludes)

COMMUNITY PANTRIES have shattered the myth that Filipinos are a disunited people, says Ana Patricia ‘Patreng’ Non, the woman who set up the first community pantry at Maginhawa Street in Quezon City amid the pandemic.

“May usual thinking tayo na ang mga Pilipino hindi nagkakaisa, mga pasaway. Sa community pantries, parang nakita natin na kaya nating magtulung-tulong,” she shared.

It has only been a week since she organized the Maginhawa community pantry, but the 26-year old Fine Arts graduate said she has gained much experience from the people who contributed or benefited from the initiative.

And with all that she has witnessed, what stood out was how the community pantry brought together families, businesses, different sectors, and people from different walks of life.

““Mayroong mga companies na magkakalaban, pero tumulong sila sa community pantry,” she shared. “Hindi nila gusto ang kapalit. Gusto lang talaga nila tumulong.”

“Mayroon din na galing sa iba’t ibang relihiyon, iba’t ibang simbahan. Minsan nagkakasabay ‘yung mga akala nating relihiyon na may alitan.”

Patreng, as her friends call her, is known for being “service-oriented”. Her friends shared that since her students days at the University of the Philippines, Patreng has been involved with countless community-oriented projects.

Her advocacies include giving free art workshops to youth in different barangays, as well as supporting the cause of political prisoners, peasants, and the Lumad. According to friends, Patreng always had the charm and congeniality that make bringing people together easy.

After the Maginhawa community pantry that Patreng put up in mid-April, hundreds more have sprung up in at least 13 regions in the Philippines. There are now community pantries in Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Mimaropa provinces, Bicol, Eastern and Western Visayas, and in Northern and Southern Mindanao.

“Nakita natin na nagkaroon ng common ground ‘yung mga Pilipino, kahit na natural na magkahiwalay-hiwalay tayo,” Patreng said. “Tapos wala rin na pinipiling social class.”

She was able to witness how farmers donated kamote, fisherfolk their catch, and even vendors with their goods to the community pantry.

“Kung familiar kayo sa Maginhawa, maraming restaurants doon. Kahit sarado na sila, nagtulung-tulong ‘yung mga restaurant owners na mag-ambag sa community pantry.. kasi naiintindihan nila kung paano naapektuhan ng pandemic ang mga tao,” Patreng said. “Lahat talaga willing mag-ambag.”

Local tricycle drivers even contributed to the Maginhawa pantry, volunteering as marshalls who helped distribute bread, ready-to-eat meals, and other goods to the homeless.

‘Without judgment’

Patreng said that a principle that the community pantry tries to abide by is welcoming everyone without judgment or discrimination.

“Pinakamahalaga, walang pinipiling political affiliation kung sino man ang gustong tumulong o kumuha na galing sa community pantry. Hindi siya required,” Patreng said.

“Malaya ‘yung pantry, walang pinipiling tao. Nagbibigay siya ng hope sa ating lahat na magtulungan tayo, kahit hirap ‘yung panahon ngayon,” she said.

“Sabi nga nung mga tao, salamat kasi parang nabuhayan sila ng loob na tumulong. Gusto nilang tumulong, at ngayon lang sila nagka-venue na tumulong.”

Patreng has this to say to those who doubt or remain unsure of the community pantries’ intention: “Kung hindi sila sigurado sa intention ng community pantry o natatakot sila na baka may ibang motibo, hindi na po ako magpapaliwanag. Hindi ko rin naman po kailangang magpaliwanag pa kung ano talaga ‘yung intention namin,” she said.

Instead, she recommends that they personally visit community pantries to witness first-hand what the objectives of the organizers are.

“Yayayain ko na lang po kayo na pumunta mismo sa community pantry para marinig niyo ‘yung kwento, para makita niyo po ‘yung linya ng mga tao at makausap niyo sila,” she said. “Kasi doon naman po talaga matututo sa mga tao, sa masa po kung ano ‘yung hinaing nila.”

Likewise, Patreng called on the government to help rather than block community pantry efforts.

“Nasabi ko na nakukulangan ako sa government response, totoo ‘yun. Alam ko namang may ginagawa ‘yung government, pero sa tingin ko, kulang ito kasi hindi naman pipila ‘yung tao nang mahaba kung sapat na ‘yung nakukuha nila.”

She added, “Hindi namin hinihinging maintindihan kami ng gobyerno o maging magkaparehas tayo ng political beliefs at ng iniisip. Ang hinihingi ko lang po ay unity. Wag nating patayin itong pagtulong-tulong nating mga Pilipino.”

Patreng said the Filipino masses have stories to tell — we just need to listen.

“Nakikinig po ‘yung mga mamamayan. Kailangan lang pong makikinig tayo sa kanila. Pakinggan po natin ‘yung mga kwento nila.”

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