It was a wet, cold Saturday morning in Melbourne. The kind of morning where most people would rather stay in bed and nurse a strong coffee. Me? I was on a tram with my umbrella on my way to a picnic with Filipinos.
I only knew two Filipinos in this group. But that didn’t matter. We just wanted to gather to show support for a Filipino presidential candidate. We were strangers coming together with the hope for a better Philippines.
An older gentleman had made a poster with cardboard and black marker. Another arrived with snacks to share from Bacolod, the sugar capital of the Philippines. Someone brought balloons to share. A young woman offered to fly her newly purchased drone for aerial photos of the group. A mother brought pots of hot – rice porridge – a hot breakfast for all of us to share. A friend pulled out a box of from his backpack, delighting others with this favourite childhood treat. Someone else brought his collection of Philippine flaglets. A thoughtful mum brought enough rain ponchos to keep everyone dry, and bottles of hand sanitiser were distributed.
I arrived cold and wet, but I left with a glow in my chest. My heart was in awe of the kindness and generosity among strangers working for the common good.
This is bayanihan at its best. Bayanihan is a longstanding Filipino value which refers to working for the common good of the community. It is traditionally illustrated by Filipinos physically carrying a bahay kubo (nipa hut) to its new location. Decades ago, this was done in the provinces. It was especially common in provinces where communities help each other till the soil or harvest crops.
My heart was in awe of the kindness and generosity among strangers
This is one of the most cherished values of the Filipinos. It is also the theme of the cover illustration of my book, . This spirt of cooperation is alive and well during the many calamities Filipinos have endured. From floods to typhoons, earthquakes to eruptions, Filipinos are ready to help out and give food, clothing and shelter to the victims. During the , many trapped under collapsed buildings were saved due to the bayanihan spirit. The peaceful People Power revolution in 1986, where Filipinos stood together for freedom, is yet another excellent example of bayanihan.
While I have never physically carried a nipa hut for my neighbours, a few years ago, I experienced bayanihan in full swing during my move to Melbourne. My two Filipina friends flew in to help me find an apartment and get settled in my new home. My friend Kathie flew from Manila with me, while Ange flew in from Sydney. Together, we hit the pavement to do inspections of my shortlisted apartments. In three days, we managed to find a suitable rental.
Bayanihan is a longstanding Filipino value which refers to working for the common good of the community.
The same friends helped furnish my home, buying everything from pillows, quilt, bedsheets, towels, plates, cutlery and a sturdy umbrella for Melbourne’s infamous rain. Each tended to their chosen tasks with no one directing. Kathie got to work cleaning the kitchen shelves and closet, lining each one meticulously. Ange made the bed perfectly tucking the sheets, laboriously inserting the quilt into its cover, and adding the finishing touches to the bathroom. In six short days, my friends left me all set for my new life in Australia. Even my bank account, internet and mobile phone were sorted with their help.
When my real estate agent first met my friends, her eyes bulged in disbelief, “I have never heard of anyone doing that for a friend,” she exclaimed.
The first time I walked into my home without Kathie and Ange, I burst into tears. Seeing their kindness all around me was overwhelming.
With the bayanihan spirit deeply etched in the hearts of Filipinos, there will usually be helping hands in times of difficulty. For that, I am grateful. Bayanihan is not something we Filipinos are entitled to, neither is it exclusive to Filipinos. But these days, I am certain the world could use more cooperation, working for the common good, kindness and generosity of spirit, all fruits of bayanihan.
Maida Pineda is a freelance food and travel writer, and author of two books. Follow her on IG at or Facebook .
