BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
AMIDST “uncertainties” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the current Duterte administration has intensified the campaign against the “un-ignorable” hunger in the country.
Cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles was appointed chairman of the “Task Force Zero Hunger” (TFZH) with a battle cry, “Pilipinas Kontra Gutom”.
Around 70 multi-million companies and organizations then signified to join the “battle”.
Next year, TFZH aims to have one million fewer of hungry Filipinos.
Isn’t it ambitious considering the current economic and health status of the country?
Well, Bacolod’s “lucky” to have this humble couple El Cid and Portia Familiaran who, in their own way and money, is very much willing to help the government achieves its “grand” goal.
Choosing kindness as their mantra, the couple is now known in the city because of their “Arroz caldo ni Portia” aimed at feeding the hungry and the poor, including now the jobless.
But even before the pandemic and trendy community pantries, “Arroz caldo ni Portia” was already there for quite a decade.
“Right now, we’re cooking 30 (giant) cauldrons of arroz caldo per outreach. Each cauldron can feed 200 to 300 people,” disclosed the couple.
But it all started with one (not so giant) cauldron in a fiesta in a certain barangay in Bacolod sometime in 2010.
“Then, it becomes the most requested menu of the Bacolodnons during fiestas, among other social gatherings,” said Elcid.
Still with the “onslaught” of COVID -19 pandemic, the couple was more than inspired to continue it.
So they’d intensified their outreach program, too.
And to jibe with the trend (with health protocols strictly observed), the couple sees to it that their arroz caldo reaches the target beneficiaries via door-to-door delivery.
“Actually, nami-an gid ko magpaka-on sang mga tawo,” confessed Portia. “Kanami gid sang feeling nga makita mo ang mga tawo nga happy while naga-kaon sang amon arroz caldo.”
Seeing people beaming while supping their arroz caldo, confided Portia, “It really portrays my humble beginnings in Aguisan, Himamaylan City.”
Portia grew up in a family with a carinderia business, thus she loves cooking.
But her heart’s “smiling” seeing multitude of people eating for free.
“I really love eating simple food with a lot of people. The feeling is superb and beyond quantification,” she related.
But what makes the Familiarans’ arroz caldo distinct and why it becomes a byword now in the City of Smiles?
Well, the taste, maybe!
Elcid though said they are just using ordinary ingredients.
But quipped Portia, “Perhaps, it’s our passion to serve the people and the desire of our hearts to help them that make our arroz caldo distinct from the others.”
Saturating the 61 barangays in the city with 583,170 people is no joke, she admitted.
“And we’re doing this using our own money,” stressed Elcid. “Because I know this is my calling and, ever since, I love sharing my blessings.”
Actually, “Arroz caldo ni Portia” was just meant to let children eat and enjoy while they’re having a purok event, recalled El Cid.
They didn’t expect it to last this long or be part now of a noble mission to end hunger in the country.
Data from the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) revealed that almost half or 44% of the city’s families are below poverty line.
Bacolod has 89, 651 families, per the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) recent Census.
Quite abject!
Imagine the figures and the worsening scenarios right now. Job loss continues to balloon. “Horrible” hunger is the worst expected consequence then.
Bacolod, of course, is not exempted to these displeasures. Bacolodnons are “crying” now!
Local businessmen are “weeping”, too.
Authorities fear violence may spark out of proportion. Government’s alleged inefficiency in responding to the pandemic added to the setback.
“Bayanihan” Acts 1, 2 and 3 are just but “plaster” solutions. Add the vaccine brouhaha.
The majority now is asking: What future lies ahead of us?
But nobody could answer yet. Not even President Duterte.
But Nograles enunciated that, “Hunger is now a silent enemy that can no longer be ignored. Maramig apektado, at maraming kailangan tulungan.”
Bacolodnons, however, are glad to have the Familiaran couple, who (until now) refuses to cease the “Arroz caldo ni Portia” with the (very) purpose: To feed the poor and the hungry.
Arroz caldo, stressed Elcid, is an affordable and a complete meal or snack. That’s why they sustain such.
“This is also good for the ill, elderly and kids,” he added.
Simple yet endearing! And consistently doing this for 11 years is indeed a noteworthy endeavor. Perhaps, others may say it’s “cheap”. But for those with empty stomachs, “Arroz caldo ni Portia” is “swak na swak” to stay awake in the “midst of dullness”.
The Philippine Nutrition Council (PNC) said arroz caldo (rice porridge) is rich in carbohydrates and protein.
Ingredients like rice is rich in vitamins and mineral against infection; chicken for Vitamin B-6 for healthy blood cells; ginger against sore throat; onion for allicin that protects the body against bacteria and egg for amino acid for strong immune system, added the RiteMed.
Thus, El Cid and Portia really made the “right choice” in helping Bacolodnons because aside for saving them from hunger, they also keep them fit and healthy against COVID-19.
Perhaps, they aren’t just “blessed” but “destined” rather to be part of a meaningful crusade against hunger.
What a challenge, indeed! But having the “poor” always in their minds and hearts is one distinct characteristic of the couple known for their sincerity and integrity.
After all, “No one ever becomes poor by giving,” stressed the world-renowned German diarist Anne Frank./PN
