Wanted: Showbiz community pantry

These days have been seeing frenzied Filipinos over the continuous oil price hike that makes life harder to bear.

There are panaceas, though, no matter how short-lived but still curative.

Noticeably, each sector has a way of adapting to the current realities of an economic debacle to lighten up.

The Catholic Church in its pastoral letter last Easter Sunday had underscored a collective effort among Filipinos to help each other, purportedly, communally in times of crisis like this.

One of the suggestions of the Church is the return to the concept of community pantry where people can freely serve fellow Filipinos with food and other essentials when the community is in dire need of them.

In a Senate committee hearing on agriculture, food and agrarian reform on the effects of the energy crisis on the country’s population especially the poor and the underprivileged, Patricia Non, the founder of Community Pantry PH, stressed the importance of cooperation among various sectors of society, one of its impacts is to facilitate a smooth solicitation process of goods and other items for public distribution.

In connection with this, there are many kind-hearted souls in show business who could very well initiate a community pantry.

Altruism is more fervent during an economic emergency.

This was proven during the COVID-19 pandemic when a number of show people went out of their way to extend their hand to fellow needy colleagues.

Anonymous donors and individuals not only gave out financial help but food and other daily needs as well.

They may not be in the form of a physical pantry but eventually, they constituted a community storeroom with proper provision, management, and mechanics of distribution.

Political and cultural activist Bibeth Orteza—subtitle (highlighted)

One of the active movers of a showbiz community pantry was and still is political and cultural activist and artist Bibeth Orteza who supported Non’s community pantry since day one.

We can also count on Mae Paner, also known as Juana Change, a theater, film and television actress who showbiz can depend on free food delivery on occasions like protest rallies, meetings of socio-civic concerns or other special events.

Knowing too well of maverick filmmaker Jeffrey Jeturian’s altruistic sense of duty, he might be a wonder force to reckon with.

There are still many helpful artists in the entertainment industry like Joel Lamangan, Chito Rono, Jim Libiran (who knows how to devise and pull off a social welfare act even if he is in Canada), Cherry Pie Picache etc.

There are too many to mention.

Movie Workers Welfare Foundation—subtitle (highlighted)

The Movie Workers Welfare Foundation or Mowelfund of ex-president Joseph Estrada, Boots Anson Roa and Rez Cortez could be the leading showbiz agency which can mobilize the whole industry into a community pantry.

Remember as well the readiness of all multimedia entities in working out to distribute relief goods during calamities in many parts of the country.

Speaking of Jeturian’s sense of social engagement, his latest film, Quantum Films and Cineko Productions’ “Unmarry,” an official entry to the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival, was screened at the UP Film Institute Cine Adarna to facilitate a discussion on divorce organized by the Divorce for the Philippines Now International.

It was such an engaging event with the presence of Jeffrey and Cici Jueco, the convenor of DPNI.

Divorce, Jeturian and Jueco—subtitle (highlighted)

Many gray areas were cleared out in diverse ways by Jueco and Jeffrey in reference to the film which starred Angelica Panganiban, Tom Rodriguez, Solenn Heussaff and Zanjoe Marudo.

More marital problems were touched to favor divorce vis-à-vis practical realities.

According to one of the staff of DPNI, there are many in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church who are in favor of divorce, but she said only the Iglesia ni Cristo sect and some Christian groups are vehemently against it.

Nonoy Lauzon, a committed film critic, said that a Dissolution of Marriage is more likely passed by Senator Chiz Escudero.