The Filipino community pantries: a manifestation of the spirituality of ‘Alay Kapwa’ in the time of the pandemic

Abstract

Abstract The coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic has brought not only disaster to humanity but also the best in each human individual. Filipinos, in a special way, have exhibited the inherent greatness of the human person in the construction of the community pantries where people who can sustain their needs in time of pandemic would donate some provisions to those who are needy. The establishment of various community pantries across the Philippines embodies the spirituality of ‘Alay Kapwa’, a spirituality that connects people together especially in time of crisis to be persons for others rather than harboring an unnaturalistic human and primitive attitude of self-centeredness.