Bayanihan is derived from the words bayan which means community and bayani which means hero. Bayanihan happens when people unite to help individuals and communities in need without expecting anything in return. Source
When I was young, Bayanihan for me only meant helping one family transfer their small hut or house from one place to another. I witnessed it with my own eyes how many people are united to carry and transfer it to the other place. I am amazed how unity makes it happen.
As I grew older, I heard the word Bayanihan many times in different activities like Bayanihan to clean the community, Bayanihan in School and we recently had a Bayanihan in church.
One Sabbath, the officers had a meeting and agreed to have a Bayanihan at church on June 12 since it is holiday and most members don't have work that day.
We have four task to do that day and we volunteered for each activity. Every task have assigned member to do it for the day.
Water line repair and additional installation of faucet
This task was assigned to men who have knowledge about this job. This is the first thing they do at the first hour of the day because water will be needed throughout the day.
I haven't captured picture while they are doing it because I am also busy with women's task.
Here is the finished tasked of some men.
Removing and washing the church curtains
First thing women did is to remove all curtains inside the church from pulpit to windows. We noticed that there are lots of dirt and stains on it.
We decided to use washing machine to make our task easy and it could help us lessen our hand wash. We asked some help from men to get our washing machine at home so we could use it at church.
We hand washed those light colors and we apply zonrox to those with stains. Zonrox really made our hands hurting but we're so happy we did finished washing them all.
Some are doing the hand wash, others are washing it with water and other are putting them to clothes line under the heat of the sun.
Removing the ceiling of the pulpit
Our ceiling at the pulpit almost rotten and we are worried that someday it will fall unexpectedly and will bring accident inside the church so we decided to remove it so we could replace it someday (this will be another Bayanihan).
Small to medium men or I should say men with average weight were assigned to go on top to remove it. They prepare ladder and other materials to make the task easier and safer.
Making table and chairs for children
Our children needs new chairs and table for their Sabbath School and we decided to make some out of the available woods we have in church. Some flywood from the ceiling can be recycled to table.
Some men were cutting the wood to the desired length and width and others are cleaning and making the table and chair.
We are happy that at the end of the day there is one table and one chair done. We planned to have another Bayanihan to continue the work for our church.
Some men and women volunteered to cook for our lunch. We agreed to bring rice and they cook it altogether. One member bring jackfruit and other bring coconut so we have jackfruit with coconut for our lunch.
We enjoyed our lunch together and we are so thankful for the food we have.
We are so grateful for the favorable weather that day that we were able to do our task successfully. The curtains got washed and fold in the afternoon. We also replaced it with other curtains to have new vibes in the church.
The water repair and installations was done as well as the removing of the ceiling. The cutting of wood were all done and we have one table and chair ready for use.
The people assigned in the kitchen also prepared merienda for the members. They cook cassava with coconut milk.
The spirit of BAYANIHAN will be in every Pinoy or Filipino hearts always. The power of BAYANIHAN brings hope, brings unity, brings cooperation and shows love to other people.
Having joined in a Bayanihan means you volunteered to help, you are willing to help without expecting any return.
May we have a BAYANIHAN spirit in our lives and will be willing to help without expecting any return.
Thank you so much for reading. Keep safe everyone.