The coronavirus pandemic has crippled economies across the world, leaving most people without any viable means of income.
Among those who have taken a hit is University of Perpetual Help System DALTA head coach Sammy Acaylar, who struggles to run his water refilling station amid the large-scale lockdown.
“After one week naglabas na ng enhance community quarantine, ‘di na kami nakaka-deliver sa highway kasi very strict na,” the seasoned mentor bared.
“Lagi kami nag-observe kung ipasarado na ‘yung water station ko kaya kami ng kasama ko at katiwala ko, minsan halfday lang at minsan walk in lang.”
Still, despite seeing a plunge in demand for his business, Acaylar never looked at the situation as unfortunate. Instead, he’s been treating it as an opportunity to extend a helping hand.
Photo from Sammy Acaylar
“Nakita ng katiwala kong lalaki at babae na nasa initan ‘yung mga frontliners na enforcer na wala man lang tubig kasi tanghali. ‘Yung katiwala ko, nagsabi sa akin na, ‘Coach Sam, kawawa mga frontliners wala man lang mainom. Para makatulong tayo kahit konti lang sales bigyan mo ng tubig araw araw para naman may pantawid uhaw,'”, the former National team tactician recalled.
“O ayan mga enforcer sobrang pasalamat sa amin tapos sabi nila salamat at may nakapansin kasi wala daw silang tubig at gutom sila lagi.”
The selfless act of Acaylar and his staff did not stop there, though. Aside from providing refreshments, they have also helped out fill the stomachs of the frontliners.
“Napagisipan namin na bigyan sila ng sopas pang merienda, so di ma-imagine ng katiwala ko ‘yung saya at parang ‘yung puso namin ay mabiyak kasi ‘yung tulong na kahit tubig lang at sopas ay pinagpasalamat nila,” he shared.
“Ako sa konting tulong na share ko sa kanila buong puso ko itong dadalhin kasi natulungan ko sila, kaya nga sabi ko tuloy-tuloy ang tubig at next week pansit naman.”
And all of this is simply his way of sharing the blessings he has received.
“Sa blessing na bingay ni Lord sa akin – pag-train at pag-coach ng volleyball at pinag-champion Niya ako — kailanagan makatulong rin ako sa kapwa.”
