Art by Vince Julius Balaga
The Maginhawa Street in Quezon City was recently placed under the spotlight as it catalyzed a rippling effect of community pantries throughout the Philippines. Maginhawa became a beacon of hope, inspiring several communities to work hand in hand.
Despite the portrayal of Maginhawa in the eyes of many, the community still experiences the same reality that all other communities face.
Behind the curtains of noble causes and embellished hopes, the Maginhawa community is beleaguered by difficulties caused by the pandemic.
Different businesses, including their owners and employees, have faced a common dilemma. In the face of losses and bankruptcies, the businesses ask themselves, do we close or not close?
“We never closed for 2020 except last April 2021 when the entire family caught the virus,” said the owner of Urban Chick BBQ Resto and Food Services.
Jerecel Catherine Socorro Guiang, the owner of the said establishment narrated how Urban Chick survived despite the heavy blow the pandemic had landed on their family.
Their resilience was attributed to their capability to adapt to their circumstance by resorting to partnership with delivery applications and by opening some diners from their outdoor space on their roof deck.
Moreover, Mrs. Guiang expressed how frightening their experience was since a wrong move would mean not only bankruptcy to their business but also a fatal threat to their health.
But despite all of this, she plans to move on with a positive mindset, looking forward to what’s best for her business and her family.
“We have to stop looking back on what could have been. We have to move on to the new future ahead of us which starts tomorrow. Here and now,” she said.
Other businesses such as Chicken Wings owned by Bambie Gonzales and MP33 Carwash by Peter Dator have also shared their own techniques as to how they were able to thrive despite shortcomings and difficulties.
“Kaming dalawa [lang] mag asawa ang nagpapatakbo kahit minsan mahina [ang kita], laban lang para may panggastos sa pang araw[-araw]” said Bambi Gonzales, owner of a chicken wings business.
“Nagbawas kami ng tao kasi yung iba gusto na rin nilang bumalik sa probinsya. Binawasan din namin yun operation hours,” said Peter Dator, owner of MP33 Carwash.
Maginhawa is a Filipino term for comfort but currently, the pandemic has pushed the community’s businesses out of their comfort zones and towards overwhelming uncertainties.
However, despite all of this, Maginhawa showed that it is not comfort per se that keeps them going, but it is the people, the necessity and the will that keeps their businesses alive.
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