The J. Amado Araneta Foundation is one with the community in recognizing the #LivingHeroes amidst us.
In times of crisis, we encounter ordinary humans with extraordinary hearts who reach out to the needy. We search for selfless individuals around the country who serve as living examples of what heroes should be, who are doing acts of kindness to our fellowmen, who need help the most.
Our featured living heroes are the people behind ACT as One PH, Anti COVID-19 Task Force. ACT as ONE PH is an organization dedicated to help our frontliners in the hospitals and the poor communities in our fight against the COVID-19 virus. “COVID-19 is not just a disease, but also a test of our safeguards and our way of life”. The overwhelming undertaking of our front liners is beyond anything we’ve seen before in our generation.
ACT as ONE PH values the frontliners deeply and deadly, because without them we may no longer have a bright future to look forward to. We see and hear a lot of frontliners going ahead of their time for their dedication and ACT as ONE PH’s main drive is to take care of our front liners. They take care of us; we take care of them.
Here’s to helping more individuals, front-liners and poor communities alike! We salute all the living heroes behind ACT as One PH!
1. What made you think of helping the frontliners?
Help will always be given to those who ask for it. The overwhelming undertaking of our frontliners is beyond anything we’ve seen before in our generation. Everyone was stunned. ACT as ONE PH values the frontliners deeply and dearly, because without them we may no longer have a bright future to look forward to. We see and hear a lot of frontliners going ahead of their time for their dedication and ACT as ONE PH’s main drive is to take care of our frontliners. They take care of us; we take care of them.
2. Whose idea was it?
Genuine humanitarian service always needs a spark. With the call for volunteers in spirit of brotherhood and bayanihan by Rep. Mike Defensor of ANAKalusugan Partylist (a member of UP Alpha Sigma Fraternity), those who are available and ready to help (by way of Logistics, Administrative, Communications, Finance, etc.) without hesitation a skeletal physical group has already been formed.
3. When did you start doing it?
Thanks to the help of University of the Philippines Diliman, and ultimately Dean Ganni Tapang of the College of Science (also a member of the UP Alpha Sigma Fraternity), ACT as ONE PH has base and central storage for all the donations coming in.
4. What do/did you hope to achieve in doing this?
To be a beacon of hope and social solidarity. To let the frontliners know that they are not alone. That WE are all here to assist, help and somehow ease some of burdens they are experiencing.
5. Do you see the act having a ripple effect? How?
Yes, and to paraphrase Shawn Achor: “One positive change can spark a ripple effect.” That positive change is genuine humanitarian service. As Filipinos, it’s in our culture and passion to help those who are in need. This is THAT time to show our bayanihan spirit and uplift lives the lives of those we can reach. We are just one channel, and there are many others just like us around the country.
Help with the intent of still following the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
Start with your community. Start with your city. Together, we ACT as ONE Philippines.
6. When you started doing it, who were your intended beneficiaries? Soon after, did it change? How so?
The initial intended beneficiaries were Lung Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Heart Center and National Kidney Institute. Lung Center will now have a field hospital extension in their parking lot thanks to the donation of a generator.
After 24hrs, we had added PGH, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Veterans Memorial Hospital, Quezon City General Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.
Looking forward, we would like to send more to hospitals not listed here.
7. Have you done any similar acts / projects / activities in the past?
While ACT as ONE PH is a new network, the core group spearheaded by the UP Alpha Sigma Fraternity has had more than 50yrs of experience in different types of community work, philanthropic and other humanitarian service endeavors.
8. Who inspires you in doing acts of kindness?
The frontliners. Our doctors, nurses and other health workers in the hospitals; our police and soldiers manning the lockdown zones; the farmers, grocery workers, the food establishments, and delivery guys that feeds us every day; the local officials supporting their communities; and our families. They are all our inspirations.
9. What motivates you when you do something of this nature?
This is not a simple question of motivation anymore. This is a national emergency that threatens the lives of our communities and our families. We all have to do our part in this crisis. Whether we stay at home or volunteer, everyone has to do their part.
10. Who helps you in doing your projects / acts / activities?
Those who can and those who can’t. ACT as ONE PH is inclusive. A collective effort by the very people that we know and don’t know to assist the frontliners in their battle against this dreaded disease. And to protect their families and our families so we can move forward.
11. What is a hero to you?
A hero is someone who’ll sacrifice more (or even everything) than anybody to do a good deed without hesitation nor reward.
12. What is your message to everyone in this time of crisis?
Let’s keep the faith and be healthy. By staying at home, you’re already doing your part. Send good vibes and well wishes to the frontliners you know. Pray for them and their families. Pray for those who has gone ahead us and their families. We will be triumphant, because we will ACT as ONE Philippines.
