Ever since this year kicked off, Iba ‘Yan has already helped a lot if our kababayans whose livelihoods have been terribly affected by the pandemic. Thus, in its latest episode last Sunday, March 7, Angel Locsin and the whole team looked back on the inspiring stories they featured on the show.
The Kapamilya actress-host first called to mind was Josefheim Foundation Inc., which serves as a home for the abandoned elderly people. It can be recalled that she got the chance to talk to its co-founder Father Dari Dioquino and one of its caregivers Lucy Lobos.
After two months, Fr. Dari shared in delight that after the foundation was featured on the show, many people started to contact them and send help. Besides, someone from Cavite pledged a 3000-square meter lot wherein the foundation could build a shelter for the homeless. At the same time, he shared that they have also received donations of construction materials and that they’ve been already using the pieces of furniture given by Iba ‘Yan. Meanwhile, Lucy is very thankful to the program, too, especially for the cash assistance given to her father for his medical checkup and medications.
Angel also got to meet two of our modern-day heroes, delivery riders Nomer Deguit and Malou Bien, who were still able to help their families and the needy even though they were among those awfully struck by the pandemic. Nomer imparted that the egg business bestowed to them has been a really huge help in their family’s everyday needs, while he and his friends distributed the grocery packs he received to the homeless. On the other hand, Malou happily shared that the cash assistance given to her indeed helped in paying for her motorcycle and in buying maintenance medicines for her mother who was also very thankful for the bed that Iba ‘Yan also gave.
Who would also forget Angel’s encounter with Henry Racoma and his family? They are the pandan weavers from Laguna whose final products are hand-woven pizza boxes and bags that they supply to the BrickOven Café. Henry happily related that ever since they were featured in the show, more people became interested in their products, resulting to the influx of orders. He also did not forget his co-weavers as he shared with them the weaving materials bestowed to him.
We also learned more about HLAF or Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc., a non-government and non-profit organization that supports persons deprived of liberty through one of its key people, Alfredo “Fred” Alaras. He reported that the 10 tablets given by Iba ‘Yan were very helpful for their E-Dalaw program, while the grocery packs were distributed to 32 inmates.
The host was able to meet returning citizens Reynalyn Costales and Francis Alba, and help them start brand-new lives. Reynalyn, who has found a stable job, shared that the sari-sari store bestowed to her has been managed by her sibling, while the laptop has been a great help for her daughter’s online class. The same goes for Francis, who’s grateful for all the help that the program had given to him and his family, including the laptop that his sister uses for her online school, cash assistance, and the bigasan business package.
We were also introduced to Fr. Eduardo “Ponpon” Vasquez Jr., a priest from Caloocan City, who developed and spearheaded urban farming in his community. He gladly shared that more residents became more interested in this initiative and the project has now gone international after it reached Rome, Italy since their congregation is based in 75 countries.
He was even asked to produce a documentary that features what they actually do in urban farming and was told by their representative in the United Nations, Fr. Daniel Joseph Leblanc, to share to them the episode of Iba ‘Yan where they were featured. Fr. Leblanc shared that he already presented the project to the Global Communications Center of the United Nations and said that it was enthusiastically accepted and said that it can be introduced to different places and countries around the world.
Last, but definitely not the least, was couple Ace and Andie Estrada who have been assisting the farmers in selling their crops through the social enterprise Rural Rising PH. They’re also very happy and grateful because more and more people were showing and giving support to them. Besides, they were also able to launch the Better World Diliman Rural Rising PH facilities and are now looking forward on having this in other parts of Manila, too.
Get your weekly dose of inspiration and heartwarming stories by not missing an episode of Iba ‘Yan every Sunday on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z!