An overseas Filipino finds time to help fellow OFs survive COVID challenge
ONE of the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is the increase in the unemployment rate worldwide. As social distancing and community lockdowns have been strictly enforced to limit the spread of the virus, businesses had to either contend with a diminished customer base, suspend operations for a couple of months or close shop altogether.
The results were staggering. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the country’s unemployment rate increased to 17.7 percent in April, the highest in 15 years, as the lockdown forced the closure of thousands of businesses. This is equivalent to an estimated 7.3 million Filipinos losing jobs.
For those who lost their jobs, their next thought process is understandably how to fend for themselves and their families. But there are those who still found the time and grit to care for others, their own troubles notwithstanding. Such was the case with Ms. Feby Baguisa. She used to work in ARY Speedremit, a former remittance tie-up of BDO, and who now lives in Muraqqabat Deira, United Arab Emirates. Like thousands of others, Baguisa was an economic casualty of the pandemic, rendering her unemployed.
Despite her predicament, Baguisa still took the initiative of distributing daily meals to her fellow overseas Filipinos (OFs) who likewise lost their jobs because of the effects of the COVID-19.
Her efforts started at the onset of the pandemic-induced lockdown. Initially, she relied on the income from her husband for the preparation and distribution of meals which many unemployed OFs had come to expect as they queue up for the relief aid. The food donation became such a hit that even other nationalities lined up and became recipients of the free daily meals.
“These individuals are displaced, laid-off or even on a ‘no work no pay’ arrangement,” she said. “The meals somehow alleviate the plight of the day-to-day subsistence of our Kabayan in UAE.”
Eventually, outside help came in.
Big push for Project Ayuda. BDO Unibank, through its remittance arm BDO Remit, supports the free food donation drive of Feby Baguisa (far right in the first photo), an overseas Filipino in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who lost her job during the pandemic but still found the time and dedication to help other unemployed individuals through this campaign dubbed as Project Ayuda. Aside from the financial assistance, BDO Remit representatives also helped in the shopping, packing, and distribution of food items to unemployed overseas Filipinos in UAE.
BDO Unibank took notice of her humanitarian efforts—dubbed as Project Ayuda—and supported her cause, as well as encouraged BDO Remit representatives in UAE to participate in the distribution of food packs to overseas Filipinos. Even non-Filipino companies joined the campaign and provided donation, including Alansari Group, Emirates Lotto, Khaled Alameri, and West Zone Supermarket.
Baguisa’s food donation has already benefited some 400 individuals, composed mostly of OFs who were either laid-off, out of work, or on a “no work, no pay” status.
“They are still trying and persisting to somehow find jobs and maximize all the opportunities available that would come their way,” she said. “The success of the campaign has exceeded our expectations.”
Baguisa also expressed gratitude to BDO’s participation in the campaign.
BDO is now encouraging its representatives from other regions to replicate Project Ayuda.
“Despite the adverse effects of the pandemic, we still want our Kabayans to enjoy Christmas. We hope to achieve that through the continuation and extension of Project Ayuda,” said BDO senior vice president and head of Remittance Geneva T. Gloria.
Sa panahon ngayon kahit napakahirap ng buhay marami pa ring mga tao ang handang tumulong sa iba. Yan ang kailangan natinngayon ang pagtutulungan, kaya naman bilib na bilib ako sa mga taong katulad nila. Salamat din sa BDO at bumubuo ng campaign na ito. Marami po kayong natutulungan at sana marami pa po.
Wow! Ang galing po neto mommy wla po tlagang Ibang magtutulungan at magdadamayan kundi kapwa Pilipino din po.😊 As this trying times of our life we need to spread love, hope and happiness to everyone. Always be kind and ready to help especially those who are much affected by Covid19. 😊 God bless to all those generous people na wlang sawang tumutulong. BDO really find ways in helping. 🙏😊❤️
Super nakakataba po ng puso ang ginagawa o ginawa niyong bayanihan naway marami pa pong kayong matulungan 😇
Kudos to our Kababayan!!
Salamat BDO sa pag tulong sa mga Pilipino nangangailangan lalo na sa nangyayaring Pandemic sa Bansa ntin.. Good Job
Wow so nice
Salute sa ating kababayan na talagang tumutulong sa ating mga kababayan din na nawalan ng trabaho.. kahit na pati siya ay natamaan ng pandemya na ito ay pinili pa rin niya tumulong sa ating mga kapwa pilipino sa ibang bansa.. salamat din sa mga tumulong sa kanya.. ❤ salute sayo sir.. 🖒🖒🖒
Salute sa ating kababayan na talagang tumutulong sa ating mga kababayan din na nawalan ng trabaho.. kahit na pati siya ay natamaan ng pandemya na ito ay pinili pa rin niya tumulong sa ating mga kapwa pilipino sa ibang bansa.. salamat din sa mga tumulong sa kanya.. ❤
Humanity as its finest! You are truly a kindhearted Ms. Feby Baguisa. ♡
Even if she was laid off from her work she made a very productive act helping her fellow kababayans instead of agonyzing her loss of job how positive thinker. Your help to those needy occupys a biggest part of their heart.
We pray that God grant what your heart desires. ♡
Thanks BDO the best possible talaga kayo..God Bless po..
Thank you BDO for Project Ayuda. Indeed they’re a great help to our kabayans.
Ang ganda na tulong tulong tayo ngayon para iangat ang isa’t-isa ngayong panahon ng pagsubok 😍 Talagang hindi pa kumukupas ang bayanihan sa ating mga dugo dahil kahit papano e pinipili parin natin na tumulong sa mga higit pa na nangangailangan 😍😍
Salamat sa mga taong nagtulungan ngayon pandemic para makabangon Ang kapwa at higit sa lahat BDO👏👏👏 you find ways👏💯❤️
Sana marami pa PO kayong matulungan Lalo n PO ung mga mahihirap at nawalan Ng hanap buhay god bless you all🙏
Yan tayong mga pilipino eh..anuman ang hirap na pagdaanan nandyan tlga ang spirit ng bayanihan..Galing din ng BDO at nakikiisa sila sa pagtulong para lhat makaahon.
importante ang bayanihan lalo na sa panahon ngayon salamat po sa mga taong may ginintuang puso God Bless po!
Likas n s ating mga pilipino Ang pagtulong s ating kapwa..good job guys…
Sana wag po kayo Magsasawang tumulong pa po sa mga nangangailangan Godbless po BDO
Stay safe ang god bless 🙏💞❤️
God bless you more 💕
a company that really cares. sana lahat ganito. more power BDO.
Makikita parin sa kapwa ang pagmamalasakit sa bawat isa at pag aaruga
this is what we need right now BAYANIHAN helping one another in this trying times
Thanks to BDO for always finding ways to help. More power.
BDO always find ways talaga para sa mga Pilipino. 💗
Thank you for BDo for your Continues Service even in the time of pandemic
Salute 👏👍
Bayanihan in time of pandemic. 😍 nakakaproud ang ating mga kababayan may mabubuting kalooban at tumutulong sa mga nangangailangan😊
Wow.Galing naman sa kabila ng nakakaranas lahat ng pandemic di pa rin talaga nawawala yong tulungan ng bawat isa..Salute and godbless !
Wow!!! Nice, helping other people na nangangailangan sa ganitong pandemic ay nakaka.touch po talaga. Salamat sa inyo na tumutulong sa nangangailangan.💗💗💗💕😘