And these artists and their artworks capture it
Who would have thought that such a humble gesture would inspire many to be of help to anyone in need. Community pantries have become the reigning symbols of bayanihan in our modern and pandemic times. What was started along Maginhawa St. in Quezon City by Ana Patricia Non, it has now multiplied to an epidemic of kindness many never thought possible.
This has touched many Filipino creatives and inspired them to capture the spirit of “malasakit” embedded in the banquets that is free for the masses. Among the first ones that took inspiration of the community pantry is cartoonist Chico David. His illustration depicts Filipinos carrying a bahay kubo-like box full of items to be donated to a community pantry. On the side is a sleeping puppy, which he describes as “walang meaning.”
Chico’s artwork now has 33,000 shares on Facebook. Some even ask him if they can print it to put it up in their community pantries.
“Marami nang nagpapaalam kung puwede daw bang gamitin yung sketch para iprint at ilagay sa mga community pantry nila (Many have been asking if they can use the sketch to print and put it in their community pantry),” Chico posted. “Opo, puwedeng puwede! ‘Wag na po kayo magpaalam sa akin, wala pong problema hehe. Kahit wala na din pong pangalan ko, basta andun yung tulog na aso (Yes, you can totally use it! No need to ask permission, there’s no problem. You can also exclude my name as long as the sleeping puppy is there).”
Another artist, Samuel Leon, produced signage people can print for free. Together with The Bike Scout Project, the graphic designer featured the community pantry’s famous phrase, “Magbigay ayon sa kakayanan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan,” and more. (Download high resolution photos of Samuel's works here)
Taking the same cue is artist Reg Silva with her fun and artsy depiction of the community quarantine.
Other Facebook pages such as From Above and Isang Tasang Kape take a more holy approach. With inspiration hailed from the Biblical scene where a young boy donated a small amount of fish and bread to Jesus Chirst, who used it to feed five thousand people, came artworks that mirrored Filipinos’ devotion to the Church and the community pantry initiative.
Community pantry sure tapped many Filipinos’ hearts in different ways, that eventually pushed many to do the same thing, do a silent protest of kindness, and some, head to the drawing board to immortalize its spirit. But ultimately, it teaches us that in time of crisis, one good deed is the only thing we need to see a miracle.