Hospitality, resilience, and unwavering devotion to family are among the qualities that have made Filipinos beloved in many corners of the world.
Yet there are times when the very warmth and generosity we offer so freely become vulnerabilities others are quick to exploit.
Above all, however, I believe our defining trait is the bayanihan spirit: that deeply rooted instinct to help, to carry one another’s burdens, and to stand together when it matters most.
I remember once witnessing a traditional lipat-bahay, where an entire house was carried by a group of men and moved to a new location.
It was a striking scene: Their coordinated movements were almost ceremonial in their precision and rhythm. They were chanting and smiling.
It felt like a major event. As a child then, I was awestruck.
I saw it again recently, but in another form.
BAYANIHAN IN MODERN TIMES
My brother Karl Julius Pagsolingan thought of organizing a free fuel drive.
When he shared the idea with his colleagues in the food service industry—hardly among the highest-paid workers—they responded with enthusiasm.
This was not new for him.
Whenever there was a little extra to give, he would share it: sacks of rice, school supplies, or small feeding programs for kids.
What began as a modest effort soon took shape as Tulong Para Kay Manong, growing into a fuller project through the cooperation of the Quezon City North Eagles Club, headed by Romulo Reanzares.
It soon rippled outward, drawing donations from people eager to help.
Karl said: “Nakakatuwa kasi nung binanggit ko sa isang gathering, hindi natapos ang gabi, nag-abot ng tulong ang kababata kong si Rio Kabigting.
"Nung nalaman ng dating kapitbahay, si Kuya Ronald Llana, nagbigay din.
“Pati si Brgy. Captain Tina Monasterio, mommy ni Derrick Monasterio, nag-abot kahit hindi sa lugar niya mangyayari ang fuel drive.
"May mga kasamahan din sa Eagles na nag-chip in: sina Paolo Espinosa at Eyphol Magas, na nakakuha pa ng donation sa pinsan niyang si Lyn Inocencio.”
Karl’s schoolmate Ryan Cruz, along with Gani and Ursula Navarro—now based in the United States—helped sponsor more tricycle drivers.
A foreign donor, who chose to remain anonymous, also became a major sponsor, contributing through Golden Choice Charity Foundation.
“Kaya yung naunang plan na gas vouchers worth PHP200, naging full tank,” said Karl.
The activity was held in May and benefited tricycle drivers from Barangays Nibaliw Norte and Nibaliw Sur in the small town of Bautista.
Oyet Magas, regional governor of the Fraternal Order of Eagles (Philippine Eagles) Yakap, Inc., told vlogger Jaspher Reyes, who was present at the event: “Nakarating kami rito from Quezon City to Pangasinan dahil alam naman natin na mas maraming nangangailangan dito sa bandang probinsiya. Marami nang tumutulong sa Manila, e.”
Seeing the videos and photos from the event, I was brought back to that lipat-bahay I once witnessed.
Only this time, the image had changed shape: instead of a house carried through the streets, there were tricycles lined up in long, patient rows—like a quiet procession of everyday work, briefly gathered into something communal.
And this is just one of the many bayanihan endeavors I’ve been fortunate enough to come across.
A college friend would often drive a large van to Benguet, so that on her return trip, she could carry, free of charge, vegetables grown by Igorot farmers to Manila, where kindred spirits would be waiting with advance orders priced far higher than what farmers used to receive from traders and middlemen before the pandemic.
She earns nothing from this and has been doing it since 2022.
If only our politicians could be as selfless—not for publicity, not for vested interests, and not for a bayong of money—masuwerte sana ang mga Pilipino.
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