Heroes amid the pandemic plague

By Al S. Mendoza

 

WE all know that many corporations, big and small alike, are tremendously helping those in need amid the pandemic plague.

Several are doing it in their own humble way: Quietly extending help to the hungry and almost oftentimes forgotten sectors of our society, like the so-called poorest of the poor

Their rewards are reserved in heaven.

But many other kindred souls cannot avoid the limelight for one reason or another.

Due to the immensity of their generosity, the givers from the wealthy segment make legions lavish themselves with goods and other life essentials that are badly needed in this most difficult of times.

Thankfully, the moneyed are almost suddenly sprouting from everywhere to do good, transforming into instant saints from condemned sinners.

You can easily detect, separate, the sincere netizen from the spotlight-hugger:  When there’s media around, the braggart goes into relief-distributing binge.

Wasn’t there a major politician—was she from Metro Manila?—that pasted her name in government-procured relief goods before distributing them to her constituents?

When she got exposed and bashed accordingly in social media, she withdrew from the limelight like a dog with its tail kept curled between the legs.

Until now, she has not presented herself in the public eye, avoiding the flash of cameras and klieg lights as though it were the Covid-19 scourge.

But in contrast, the likes of Ramon S. Ang and Alfred V. Ty both became the paragons of humanity’s genuine allies by their unparalleled bounteousness.

Each one of them donated more than their share of generosity to alleviate the hardship of our less-fortunate brethren, uniting with government’s efforts for the uplift of our people amid the virus crisis.

Ang and Ty displayed distinctive pro-people actions, handing out virtually all kinds of life-saving measures—from food to disease-preventing protocols.

As CEO and president of San Miguel Corp., Ang—RSA to those close to him—used all the powers at his command to make SMC super-visible in every aspect of extending help to humankind.

Without regard for the company’s coffers, RSA donated billions to build hospitals, buy pieces of medical equipment to both our front liners and virus victims, dole out food to almost everyone in sight, allow free fuel to government vehicles transporting patients and hospital needs as well, doing so many more chores related to containing the coronavirus.

Since he believed in the saying “charity begins at home,” RSA made sure all his SMC employees nationwide receive their monthly salaries without fail.

Ty was basically like RSA.

As chairman of both Toyota Motor Philippines and Lexus Manila Inc., Ty mobilized his people to extend all possible help to align with the government’s unrelenting efforts combating Covid-19.

Like RSA, Ty also assured his employees complete monthly salaries while practically the nation is in virtual lockdown.

Will the rest of our nation’s billionaires be like RSA and Ty—please?

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