Humanitarian works and volunteerism, regardless of whether the impact is great or small, did not stop at the onslaught of the pandemic. When the national government implemented a nationwide community quarantine, Mariedel Irish Catilogo, or “Ish” as her friends call her, was stranded in the dormitory she was staying at within the university's compound. After months of reading and hearing news about the government's numerous attempts to desperately control the pandemic, Ish decided that she had to spark change -- or at least contribute to the collective movement of making a change.

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Ish seized her chance on the 12th of June 2020, the Philippine Independence day, when various groups of NDMOs (Movement for National Democracy) initiated a protest, dubbed as the Grand Mananita (a nod to the mananita of the now PNP Chief Debold Sinas). 

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“Bilang inihalintulad sa birthday party yung rally, in-encourage ng mga organizers ang mga lalahok na magdala ng pagkain at tubig. Bring and share,” Ish stated. 

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Ish said that since she really wanted to join the mob but did not have the means to go to the venue, she thought about donating some food instead. Eventually, she decided to tap her other friends who might be willing to chip in for the fund. At first, she was expecting to receive at least P1000 from the project. But as days go by and Independence Day approaches, she received about P20,000.

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“Hanggang ngayon nao-overwhelm pa rin ako sa generosity ng mga tao. Sila iyong mga gustong gusto sumama sa mobilization pero nasa malayong lugar o kaya’y walang sasakyan kaya sa pamamagitan ng pag-donate ay ipinakita nila ang kanilang suporta.”

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Ish also volunteered at the Office of the Vice President. When asked why she volunteered, she replied, “I think one of the reasons why I volunteered at the OVP was mainly because I want to satisfy my need to observe what is going on the ground. Back in April 2020, it was the height of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country- people were locked in their places, our health workers and other front liners were physically and mentally exhausted.” 

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“I was assigned to the logistics service of OVP in which the major task was to pick-up donations from private companies and individuals and deliver them to chosen beneficiaries. Although there was a reasonable feeling of fear due to exposure, the fulfillment, and excitement that I was able to be of help and extend my service to our heroes were also present,” Ish added.

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When Ish had the opportunity to return to her hometown in Leyte, she continued raising funds for another cause. She called this project, “Bond Paper Mo, Modyul Ko” (Your Bond Paper, My Module). The project aims to raise funds to donate bond papers to a local public school, which will then be used by the teachers to print the modules for the children who cannot afford the online classes setting.

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“Inumpisahan ang donation drive na ito noong Hunyo. Marami akong nakikitang mga teachers dito sa probinsya namin ang nagpo-post sa Facebook na nanghihingi ng donations para sa bond paper at ink. Sobrang nababahala kami na umabot na sa ganitong punto ang mga teachers.”

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Ish added that though the health and safety of everyone are of utmost priority for everybody, we must also ensure that no student is left behind. If the government cannot guarantee that, then we have no choice but to take it upon ourselves.

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Ish and her team of volunteers were able to raise about P7,000 for this project. The beneficiary of this donation drive was the students of Macaalang Elementary School. Aside from bond papers and ink, they also provided hygiene kits for 50 students.

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When Ish was asked if she's given the chance, would she continue spearheading projects like these, she answered, “Yes. If the resources are available, I am thinking of creating a more creative, effective, and sustainable solution that deals with societal problems. I think that these donation drives negate the responsibility and accountability of the government.” She pointed out that though donation drives and other social initiatives help those who are in need, these efforts aren't sustainable in the long haul. 

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“In the macro view, donation drives serve as a band-aid solution that our officials resort to instead of creating proper disaster response, crafting laws that prevent disasters, and allocating a budget that addresses these problems,” Ish stated.

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Ish believes that the private sectors can only do so much, the government should be the one we should seek accountability from when problems need to be addressed. “When the citizens’ immediate response after every disaster is to raise funds, it's about time that we should do a lot of thinking.”