SQUEEZE HARDER

 

At the beginning, you have a resources enough to handle daily needs.

This is very similar to a brand new toothpaste you prefer and purchased in the nearby grocery or elsewhere. 

This is comparable to your monthly obligations that you can handle well like electricity, water, apartment rental, telephone, groceries and other important necessities.

But the unexpected coming of the pandemic changes all our daily lives. 

When the lockdown got implemented many of us literally has to stop from working. Many of us lose their jobs. 

To survive, from the expensive or popular brand of toothpaste, we settle for something unbranded. Similar from getting a job sometimes far or out of our expertise. 

A realization that you have a family to feed, and an obligations to meet. 

This is the time now, you make use of your remaining resources. 

Every move has a plan, every step is calculated. 

From a full amount of toothpaste you place on your toothbrush, you lessen them. 

Because you never wanted to reach the very end that even though you squeeze harder... 

there were none. 

OPEN TO WORK

 

Good day! 

I am Rodolfo Garabot, aka "Rod,"  an experienced Broadcast Journalist for two decades now.

I graduated Bachelor of Arts, A. B. Communication Arts at the University of the East in Caloocan, in 2000.

I began my professional career when I started working as Program Researcher for Balitang K, a news magazine program in ABS-CBN, Channel 2.

Then occupied positions such as Editing Supervisor in The Filipino Channel (TFC). 

After 8 to 9 years of working with the Network, I moved to GMA 7, and worked as Segment Producer for "Good News, Kasama si Vicky Morales," in GMA News TV in 2011 to 2012.

Another opportunity came in when I became an Associate Producer for Solar News, 9TV, and now popularly known as CNN Philippines for 6 years, under Nine Media Company in Mandaluyong City. 

A hunger for career growth, and financial stability pushed me to find another work which led me from becoming an Executive Producer at The Manila Times Television in April 2009. 

Another very recent opportunity was spotted and given to me when I was hired for Dreamwave Media Network as News and Current Affairs Head. 

Now, I am open to work for another company and willing to share my expertise in the broadcasting network or any related field.

Through the years, I developed a philosophy in life which a strongly believe... 

"Dream, 

Work Hard, 

Triumph." 

Thank you and more power! 

Respectfully yours,

Mr. Rodolfo A. Garabot

Interested Applicant

A SAD BUT TRUE SCENARIO

When you applied for a post, and the company thinks you're suitable for the job, they will send you an email to know that you're being shortlisted.

Some gave a concrete time for a zoom interview, while some just let you know that you have to be on standby. 

After more than two hours of waiting, they became ready for an interview. But as an applicant, you're not informed that there are 7 more candidates buying for the same post. 

The back-to-back exams and the interview is over. You were told that when the result is ready, you will be informed. 

Here comes a week, or two, you send them a text and an email. 

The beautiful ending, they never answered any of these inquiries. 

May I ask, do you know that your human resources have this kind of behavior? 

YOUR FAILURE ALSO COUNTS AS A SUCCESS

 

One normal scenario a  candidate has to go through is sending resumes to a number of companies he/she would wish to become part of it.

Most of the time, they'll be sending a generated automatic response that there's a bulk of applicants they have to screen. And that you have to wait for their notice if they find you suitable for the desired post you applied for. 

When you became too lucky, you will receive a text or an email that you were shortlisted. 

You will be scheduled for an interview and an examination too. 

But come to think of it, do not even blame yourself if you never pass their standards. 

It just happened that you are not the only applicants who applied for the post. 

Sad but true even though you think you are qualified, they will pick for a candidate who has the highest qualifications than you. 

But applicants, think of it this way also it doesn't mean that you are not chosen because you have less potential than others. That's part of the screening process. 

Try to look at it in a different perspective, like your favorite brewed coffee maybe, the right job for you is still brewing before it was ready for you. 

And also, the most important part is the thing you consider a "failure" is also counted as your winning moment too. 

The quirky community pantry in the Philippines: Magbigay ayon sa kakayanan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan (Give what you can, take what you want)

It started with an inspiration and an agitation as well, when the very first "community pantry," in the Philippines was established in Maginhawa in Quezon City. 

The woman who intiated this brilliant idea of extending help to our fellow Filipinos is Ana Patricia Non, 26.

Obviously, the act of kindness came out because of the lockdown in the country due to the spread of the deadly coronavirus, COVID-19 and what Non and the rest of the people was seeing the inability of the government to give food and financial assistance to those in need. 

At the beginning, Non was seen struggling. The most recent was the controversy she was framed as to red-tagging issue with the communists. 

But as time goes by, the act of kindness multiply from one to 807 community pantries in total now. 

The act of giving is presented in a quirky manner

The community pantry in Maginhawa in Quezon City provides foods for free like rice, eggs, vegetables, milk, bread, vitamins, disinfectants and many more. 

If this particular act of kindness went viral, an act of a group of woman who went to not just get something but everything in a community pantry in Quezon City also did the samething. 

That is why, a reminder signage that began with "Magbigay ayon sa kakayanan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan," now has a different "hugot lines," relatable to many of us. 

In Barrio Obrero, in Manila, Christine Mae Norombaba came up with a breakfast community pantry that goes with "hugot lines," popularly known by many ay "hugot pantry." 

And because it came up with a breakfast theme for community pantry, what they served for free was the following...

From a famous birthday feast that most people connects to life longevity..."Pancit!"

But before getting a free serving you will read these lines... 

"Pansit para sa pinagpalit sa pangit," along with a follow up lines..."mapapakain ka talaga ng pansit sa sakit!"

Normally, this is being offered by ambulent vendors, peddlers of "taho."

Here, it comes with a hugot lines which says..."taho, para sa pagibig na naglaho." 

(Taho for a love that fades away). In short, "ghosting!" 🤣

It was serving breakfast, so expect soup like sopas. 

It comes with a unique hugot lines..."Sopas, pasa sa iniwan ng "so fast!" 

(Sopas for those who were left so fast) 

And I think the most catchy hugot lines about "lugaw," or "porridge," who lacks suitors... 

"Lugaw, para sa walang manliligaw." 😂

But wait there's more because a certain "Marvin Garcia," organizer of "stock box community pantry,"  in Silang, Cavite, came up with a "witty," one. 

From Garcia's Facebook post on Tuesday, April 23, he only wanted to stress the point to only get what they need, without too being preachy about it. 

Looking at these eggs that has a signage which says..."kumuha lang ng pang-umagahan, hindi ng pang leche flan."

(Please get eggs only for your breakfast). 

And even a rack of ketchup has a reminder signage which says... 

"Kumuha ng pangsawsawan di pang spaghetti." 

(Get a sauce for your dip only, not for a spaghetti recipe). 

Canned goods also came up with a witty but concern signage reminder which says... 

"Isa-isa lang ang delata, upang 'di masira ang abrelata." 

(Get one can at a time, to not ruin your can-opener). 

While, in packs of layered sugar it says... 

"Isang pack lang ang asukal, mahal ang insulin." 

(Get only a pack of sugar, the cost of insulin is expensive). 

And even a basket of garlic has a saying which says... 

"Isa-isa lang po sa Bawang, hindi po totoo ang Aswang." 

(Get only a whole garlic, the unearthing rumors are not true). 

Street food for community pantry

In Marikina City, the concept of free food giving was extended also for donating to people a "Street Food!"

From a Facebook post of a netizen named Sagun John Rufinel, in Barangay Concepcion Uno, on Monday, April 26, he offered his kababayans street foods for free!

In his signage it says... 

"Tumuhog batay sa pangangailangan, mag-ambag batay sa kakayanan." 

From this community pantry, one mother said and was thankful that her son now has food to eat at home when he wakes up. 

Not only a mother benefited from the street food community pantry but also tricycle drivers, construction workers, motorists, passers-by, and many more. 

It doesn't  just fed the hungry people but also helped the livelihood of Gil, who owns and sells the street foods.

From basic needs to wants community pantry

The idea of giving do not just have one interpretation now, because in Barangay Sto. Niño in Makinina City, aside from food giving...the shoe capital of the Philippines gave something very known to their city. 

A reporter from ABS-CBN, Adrian Ayalin took photos of people quequed to get a pair of slippers, sandals, and shoes! 👠👟

Brewed Coffee for free community pantry

Photos of a patrolman in Barangay Santo Cristo, Tabaco City in Albay gave free not 3 in 1 coffee but brewed coffee for residents. 

☕

In his Facebook account post, Mark Aleph Maceres, shared his team initiative of a "Modern Day Barangayan and Bayanihan," program of the Albay Police Provincial Office.

In his interview with Philippine Star, Maceres said he only wanted to share what he has, his hobby of making coffee out to the community. 

Because some people appreciates his effort, they were also bread donations given to pair now with his brewed coffee. 

Zero Waste Community Pantry:

Magbigay ayon sa kakayanan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan at i-recycle ang mga lalagyan

(Give what you can, take what you need, and reuse containers) 

In St. Therese Street., Peñafrancia in Brgy. Cupang, in Antipolo City, the community put an emphasis on zero-waste practices. 

Jr. Papel stressed in his social media post the value of preventing one from using single use plastics, and encouraged everyone to use recycled bags and bottles too. 

They also advised the residents to bring their own bottles and bags upon claiming items in their community pantry. 

One great example to a zero-waste practices was the used of glass jars for condiments like soy sauce, vinegar, and fish sauce or patis to be given away. 

But you see, the idea of helping and giving do not only applies to people who has alot to offer or those whom we say rich anf famous. 

A living proof to that was Thelma, a seller of bitso-bitso, an Ilonggo delicacy. 

She was once passed by in one community pantry, she asked if she can get some. 

Aling Thelma took rice, 3 eggs, one apple, a noddles, vegetables and dried fishes. But instead of just saying thank you, she replaced it with her bitso-bitsos. 

She explained, that she is selling to have a day's budget solved. And now that she got it, she was even more willing to share what she has. 

(Photo courtesy: Lors Langoey MI) 

And also the same kindness was reflected in the heart of a taho vendor in Barangay Panamitan, Cawit, Cavite where he offered a few glasses of what' s he's selling. 

(Photo courtesy: StarFish Project/Facebook) 

It is indeed proven here that there is no amount of help small or big to share one's blessings to other people. 

Just like a virus, this act will continue to grow to inspire more people.