COMPASSION AMID COVID CRISIS

The Bayanihan spirit of Ilonggos amid the COVID-19 pandemic was very evident in the way they helped each other, particularly the poor and our medical frontliners.

The officers and members of the Catholic Women’s League of San Jose Parish Church in Iloilo City and Museo de Iloilo gathered award winning Ilonggo artists to showcase and sell their COVID-themed works to raise funds for medical frontliners and the local arts community.

The event dubbed as “BREATH FOR LIFE” in the time of COVID-19 was spearheaded by Museo Iloilo President Gina Sarabia-Espinosa and event chairman Rex Aguado.

“I am very thankful for benevolent individuals who purchased the artworks of our talented artists which in one way or another supported our finances for the donations of grocery and hygiene kit to medical frontliners in almost all hospitals here in Our City of Love,” Madame Gina Sarabia-Espinosa said.

This noble fundraising drive runs until end of July at Museo de Iloilo.

On the other hand, Ilonggo philanthropists who were also affected by the crisis still found ways to help.

Take for example power couple Dr. Napoleon Tiongco and wife Sheilla Golez Tiongco. Instead of celebrating the birthday of their son Third with a grand party, they donated food packs to the medical frontliners of St. Paul’s Hospital and homeless street dwellers in the city through Jasmine Castelo.

“This epidemic is challenging us, as a species, to bring about an increased sense of our humanity, community and compassion,” Sheilla Golez-Tiongco said.

The compassionate businesswoman Putli Fuerte also shared food packs and grocery items to fire victims of Brgy. Ortiz, City Proper.

My friend and TV host Boy Dyords also shared food and basic goods to far-flung areas, including the Ati community.

Also worth mentioning were the snacks, masks and hygiene kits given by US based and retired Ilongga nurse Arlene Martin and Maritess Lim to the maintenance staff of Iloilo City’s beautiful Esplanade linear park.

Kudos to all of you for bringing out the best of Ilonggo compassion.

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