“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”
-Elizabeth Andrew

Usually a volunteer is ready for tasks and risks involved; but the COVID-19 crisis creates new challenges. The risks may escalate depending on many factors starting with the basic issue of personal protective equipment. Despite these uncertainties, brave souls still choose to dedicate their precious talent, time, and effort to help in whatever way they can to fight this menace.

Volunteers to UP-PGH Bayanihan Na! Operations Center (BNOC) come in different ages, shapes, and sizes. Some are willing to help physically in ensuring that enough supplies and equipment are available for smooth operations of the call center. Some, because of physical limitations, extend their support remotely and help in addressing patient queries and improving education. Even with these limitations, their willingness significantly boosts the morale of everyone and contributes to the collective effort. 

In Filipino, there is a word that is used to express the community spirit aimed at helping neighbors in need: BAYANIHAN. This is what the COVID-19 crisis has brought out among the UP Manila constituents, a trait that is inherent in us and is just waiting for the perfect opportunity to manifest itself in more palpable ways. Voluntarism has extended and “infected” even those outside this well-knit academic community.

Setting up a volunteer group is fraught with difficulty in getting financial and logistical support, but the BNOC has been met with overwhelming excitement from all sectors and contributions continue to pour in. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked the flame of voluntarism. UP Manila’s brand of voluntarism shines brightly and continues to spread.  BAYANIHAN NA!  

Dr. Leilani Apostol-Nicodemus  |  Published in Healthscape Special COVID-19 Issue No. 4