Bayanihan: A true act of love

Photos by Kevin Tatco.
Ateneo de Manila University. September 2009.

Bayanihan is a Filipino term taken from the word bayan, referring to a nation, town or community. The whole term bayanihan refers to a spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a particular objective. The process involves literally carrying the house to its new location…by putting bamboo poles forming a strong frame to lift the stilts from the ground and carrying the whole house with the men positioned at the ends of each pole. – Wikipedia

Two days ago, typhoon Ondoy (International code name: Ketsana) brought a month’s worth of rainfall to Metro Manila and nearby areas in just a few hours, causing severe flooding which resulted in the loss of many lives and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.

In this time of great need, we witness many people joining hands to help those in need, such as the relief operation done by students and faculty in Ateneo. It is great to know that even in this day and age when we no longer experience helping our neighbors by literally carrying their entire houses, we can still feel the essence of bayanihan at its very best.

NOTE TO ALL

Let us all help the victims of typhoon Ondoy through our prayers and donations. You can send out your donations to Philippine National Red Cross and World Food Programme. You can also help by volunteering and donating to several relief operation sites in Quezon City, Manila, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, Taguig, Pasay, San Juan, Fairview, Alabang, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Baguio, Bulacan, Cagayan, Cavite, Batangas, Cebu, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Davao, and Zamboanga. For the list of local and international locations please click here. Thank you!

“A little act of kindness can save a lot of lives.”