10 FE A T U R E S Cashier
Ronah, an incoming third-year Values Education student, has been working at a supermarket for the last 3 years. When asked about the changes that the pandemic has brought to her work, she shared how costumers usually avoid them. “As a cashier, it hurts that people see us as virus carriers, just because we meet different customers. I understand, but I hope, they will see us working for them, not only for their money because we are also humans. Despite having fear of being infected, we still go to work, to serve them. It is painful that this pandemic not only took lives but mostly the respect and values of a person for other human beings,” she said. While for precautionary measures, She also mentioned how she had to avoid children in their household. She hopes that as we fight against the pandemic, we will also fight for the love and respect for others, to remain intact.
Volunteer Firefighter
Aside from being one of the USC’s official layout artists, Adrian is also a volunteer firefighter since 2018. When the pandemic started taking its toll, it has become part of his task to transport PUIs and COVID-19 positive patients. “Di ko ito inasahan, dahil akala ko hanggang pagiging bumbero lang aabot ang pagiging volunteer ko, at bilang isang kabataang aktibo sa pagtulong, kahit delikado, hindi na ako nagdalawang isip dahil ito ang pangangailangan ng tao ngayon, ang tumulong at matulungan,” he said in an interview.
#QuaranTeach
NICOLE LINDSAY RAMOS | DOMINIC KEAN CALAVIA
While his mother is out to work in a factory, Ben, an incoming 2nd-year student started his own #QuaranTeach project with his nieces and nephews. “I am deeply happy na marurunong na magbasa at magsolve ang mga bata namin sa Bahay,” Ben said in an interview. Upon initially teaching students who are in the kindergarten and elementary level with topics that he thinks they will encounter, he later on also taught Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere to those who are in Junior High. The same project that he did out of boredom made him realize that he is on the right track after all. He said that teaching does not only help him and his family, it also became his way of giving back to the community.
Publicity Committee (Project Hero)
While some are stuck in the frontlines and others need to undergo social media detox for their mental health, many had no choice but to also turn to social media to ask for help. As the crisis worsens, many resorted to setting up fundraising projects and donation drives. Hashtags such as ‘Piso Para sa Laptop,’ became more prevalent on different social media platforms. The hasty shift towards the new normal schemes on education can further exclude students who cannot keep up with the required means of the digitalized education. Students who cannot do living and education at the same time will be pushed to their limits. It is no longer about having that grit if the education system itself cannot cater to those who have the least of resources.
Voluntary work is no longer new for Mary, an incoming third-year BEE student. She has witnessed how her father, a tricycle driver, does it “almost every day;” by running emergency errands. Growing up in a community rich in advocacy and through an organization, masarapMABUHAY, she got used to such work. “All of my volunteer work is done physically, but the pandemic changed the game. I even thought that I could no longer do any volunteer work, but this changed when my friend messaged me about Project HERO,” she said in an interview before giving an overview of the group, established by PNU alumni. When she learned about the advocacy of the said project, she immediately said yes and decided to commit to it. Since then, she has been writing captions as a member of the project’s publicity committee.
Special Commissions for a Cause
When she heard of their classmate’s situation, Angela knew to herself that she should act to help him. “As an aspiring educator and a blooming artist, I want to utilize my skills and privileges to extend a helping hand to students in greater need now that we are amid a pandemic,” she stated with regards to the reason why she has decided to open special art commissions. Aside from their section’s donation drive, 60% of her profit from the art commission, will be donated to their classmate, who they knew will struggle to keep up with the required means of the new mode of learning.
Art for a Cause
Knowing that a lot of students are struggling financially due to the pandemic and the changes that it has brought, Ghyllann, decided to launch an art for a cause project. “I also didn't have any money with me, so I came up with the Idea of selling commissioned digital artworks,” she shared while also mentioning that she’s a freelance artist who has done commissions before, but this time, it’s not only for herself but also for her fellow PNUans. Some of the digital arts that she can make include posters, covers, comics, logo designs, and more. She also acknowledges her friends who helped and supported her with the publicity. Because of them, she was able to earn and donate what she considers a small amount and is still hoping to donate more.
#GetPiercedForACause by Gael
Other than being a PNUan, Gael is also a piercing artist. She gives piercing services so that she can pay bills, buy school stuff, and many more. With that, she used her skill to raise funds for other pnuans who are at risk because of the pandemic. Gael shared her sentiments that she knows the struggle of other students despite their family background. "There are still a lot of people who need to work hard for them and their families amidst pandemic, people who cannot afford to rest because resting correlates hunger," she stated. Gael further emphasized that the beneficiaries of her piercing with a cause are PNUans who messaged her about their situation. "I planned a donation drive to help them. One of them cannot afford food and medicine for their sick parents, while the other one decided to condone in prostitution to survive," She extended her voice to fellow pnuans explaining the importance of empathy and the purpose of every action. Meanwhile, she slams the government for its disservice to the people. Amidst the worsening of our state negligence, Gael explained the importance of civic responsibility. "Ang pagiging mulat, ang pakikinig, ang pagkakaroon ng malawak na pang-unawa ay ang mga pangunahing kailangan ng bayan, lalo't higit na sa ganitong sitwasyon," she ended.
Wifi para sa Kat’ha ng mga Bata
Incoming third-year BECEd student, Hannah, launched her cosmetic line, Kat’ha on the first few weeks of quarantine. When the local business grew, she took the opportunity to make it a cause. Aside from donating a portion of their profit to the Black Lives Matter movement in August, they also partnered with Project WiFi, which has a goal to provide WiFi to students that have limited access to online learning. “As an aspiring teacher and had experience working with students that have limited resources, I am passionate about this project we took part in,” she said. She added that she made sure that the charity organizations she collaborated with and donated to are trustworthy and transparent, especially with the situation going on all over the world.
Bayani1derpets: Bayanihan para sa PNUone by OBTEC I-1
When PNU-Manila announced the opening of classes, some of the students of I-1, were hesitant to pursue their studies. Since they call their sections, Onederpets, they also value the show’s famous line: "Anong kailangan? Magtulungan!" and organized fundraising called ‘Bayani1derpets: Bayanihan para sa PNUone.’ As an act of gratitude, they send e-books, wallpapers, and digital arts to those who have donated. “We will always help each other because we believe that together, in a simple act of kindness, we can make a difference,” they said in a collective statement, also adding that no one should be left behind.
aTRES-ABANTE: Donasyon para sa Edukasyon by OBTEC I-13
They aim to raise funds to help their class through mobile loads, gadgets, and other necessary stuff needed for online learning. In return, they will give tokens to those people who gave donations. "Ang online class ang magsisilbing paraan para sa pag-aaral namin sa gitna ng pandemya, pero hindi alam ng karamihan ay may mga mag-aaral ang walang kakayahan at maaring mahirapan sa ganitong sitwasyon," the post stated.
SOS: Singko Online Shop by OBTEC 1-5
By selling calligraphy services, photo editing, clothes, and artworks, OBTEC 1-5 was able to raise funds to help each other. The proceeds are expected to be used for the online classes of their section as some of their classmates are struggling with internet access.
#Sais Para sa 1-SAIS by OBTEC 1-6
Cellphone wallpapers? Poetry? and photo editing? They got it all for you. OBTEC 1-6 launched a donation drive Sais Para sa I-SAIS that will benefit selected financially unstable students from their class. The proceeds will be distributed for load allowance for class members with no internet connection. “We decided to launch this and offer our talents in exchange of 6 pesos,” they explained.
