WHEN I wrote my April 19 – 25, 2001, OpinYon ‘Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow!’ column two weeks ago, the ‘community pantry’ phenomenon had not yet taken off nor gone viral yet.
However, how the government, the Task Force, the PNP reacted and tried to do to ‘community pantry’ organizers were just what I was trying to explain and point out in my column entitled, “Quarantines – From Compliance and Cooperation to Disgust and Cynicism!”
Ana Patricia Non (of Sikatuna Village, Q. C.) set up her ‘CP’ at # 96 Maginhawa St., Teachers’ Village East, Diliman, District IV, Q. C., two weeks ago.
She chose Maginhawa St., because there are now many restaurants on that formerly residential street.Within a week, police (not the Q. C. PNP) were gathering intelligence and investigating her, her volunteers and her ‘CP’.
No less than an AFP/PA three - star Lt. Gen., Antonio Parlade, Jr. (Commanding General of the AFP’s Southern Luzon Command) and a Malacanang Undersecretary, Lorraine ‘Gang’ Badoy, were bullying her and casting doubts on ‘CPs’ in general. Both of them belong to the NTF – ELCAC.
The Maginhawa ‘CP’ and Ana are not the first of a kind nor the original conceptualizers and implementers of a brilliant and very practical idea.
Since before, as well as, during the COVID-19 Quarantines, there were dozens of examples of cooperation and give and take in helping neighbors, communities and sectors.
However, Ana packaged it just right and was discovered by mass and social media.
Most importantly, she, an innocent but smart David, was oppressed by the government, a proud and stupid Goliath.
Last year’s bullying by Francis Zamora of Jinggoy Estrada did not play out too long because both of them were politicians.
I would define and differentiate what the ‘CP’ is and what it is not. It is a two-way and not just a one - way activity.
There is at least three types of parties getting together for an objective – giver(s), taker(s) and middleperson(s), host(s) or organizer(s).
In a one – way charity operation, there can be just two persons or sides – the giver(s) and the receiver(s).
The term ‘pantry’ would mean that there are several types of goods involved and if possible, have the comprehensive variety of goods in an ordinary family kitchen pantry.
That is where the need for an organizer(s) come(s) in – to put order in a multiplicity of goods, as well as to be able to get more donors in order to have more quantities and varieties.
In both of Jinggoy’s attempts to help his constituents, he appeared as the sole giver or subsidizer. He had a single type of item – fish.
His ‘karitons’ (carts) did not qualify as pantries. Logically, we can conclude that his actions and the media coverages that he got, must have inspired others to do what he was trying to do.
However, like his dual attempts, those who were inspired by him did not go viral either.
In my own ‘fish’ operation, we were on our way to becoming a mobile pantry.
I got my inspiration and marching orders from Diego Cagahastian, long-time Manila Bulletin Editor and our Manila PIO head from July 2013 to June 2019.
Since he lives and works in Manila, he called me up and urged us to do some charity work in Manila.
I responded by doing a text blast to my friends and relatives. Two friends initially responded: my FQS, moderate KASAPI, PDP Laban, comrade, former Quezon City OIC/Mayor Brigido ‘Jun’ Simon, Jr. and FPJ/Erap comrade Vince Avena.
Jun had frozen fish by the ton from Echague, Manila. Vince had his own medical supplies. The three of us are Q. C. residents and voters.
However, Junsi lives in Baesa, Quirino Ave., formerly District II, Q.C. This is where a fourth party from Laguna came in. He had a small enclosed box van and was scheduled to pick up donations in Banawe and Baesa.
Vince is much more ‘techie’ than me. He coordinated the van’s pick - up and delivery routes and schedules.
From Laguna, the van went to Baesa to perform its owner’s original mission, pick – up canned goods in Baesa. Then, it picked up our share of fish from Junsi.
It delivered the fish to Banawe and the canned goods to Laguna. It also picked up the medical supplies from Banawe for Laguna.
I picked up the fish from Banawe and distributed it in half a dozen barangays in Quezon, Pasig and San Juan Cities.
I was looking forward to expanding our operation as well as the variety of our goods.
I was planning to go to Divisoria and buy cheap rechargeable solar flashlights and lamps, kitchen ware, tools and utensils.
I was just waiting for the release of a personal loan. (To be continued)