Ana Patricia Non dedicates award to all community pantry organizers

MISSION FROM MAGINHAWA Without much fanfare, Ana Patricia Non singlehandedly initiated a humanitarian project on Maginhawa Street in Diliman, Quezon City, that attracted both admirers and cynics—the latter mainly from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. —RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Ana Patricia Non who was recognized by the US Embassy as the recipient of the Ambassador’s Woman of Courage Award, shared the honor with fellow community pantry organizers who continue to help sustain the initiative amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Masaya ako sa mga recognition. Nahihiya lang ako kasi baka mamaya, hindi na siya tungkol sa (community) pantry. Sana tungkol sa ating lahat. Itong award naman na ito’y para sa lahat ng pantry organizers. Hindi lang sa akin,” she said on CNN Philippines’ The Final Word on Wednesday.

Non added that the prestigious award is also a way of spotlighting the important role women play in society, stressing the need to see a woman’s vulnerability as a form of strength.

“Malaking bagay din po talaga na inaangat ‘yung role ng babae sa lipunan natin ngayon na hindi porket babae ka, mahina (ka). Hindi kahinaan ‘yung pagiging vulnerable. Actually, para sa akin, tapang ‘yun. ‘Yung pagiging sensitive ko rin, tingin ko iyon din ‘yung dahilan kung bakit nag-start ‘yung community pantry…Tuloy-tuloy lang po ‘yung pantry kung ano ‘yung meron, kung sino ‘yung nangangailangan.”

The US Embassy on Wednesday recognized the Maginhawa community pantry pioneer for her initiative that “inspired Filipinos to combine resources and help one another during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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