Difficult times become easier to overcome when people embrace the bayanihan spirit that brings out the best in Filipinos.

This came into the fore once again amid the continuing impact of severe tropical storm "Paeng" when various personalities and individuals poured in donations to ease the plight of those affected.

In Cotabato City, residents pooled resources together from their own pockets to provide immediate disaster responses on top of the government's interventions during the onslaught of typhoon "Paeng."

Cherlwin Jasson Buenbrazo Alocija, a local entrepreneur and a government employee, promptly initiated the distribution of thousands of food items and other relief assistance to people that have been stranded by the heavy flooding in the city.

Alocija temporarily stopped the operations of his food business to pave the way for this humanitarian assistance. Even his restaurant crew is being paid to help typhoon-affected Cotabateños.

"Ever since I believe in helping others without expecting anything in return," he said.

Sense of relief

Alocija bared his friends are also volunteering to help in the packing of relief goods items for the typhoon-hit individuals.

Meanwhile, Cotabato residents Bea Almoite and Anisa Edris initiated a load donation drive to provide cellphone loads and established hotline numbers with an aim of connecting residents to their flood-affected families as well as their stranded relatives, and friends.

This initiative has collected 44,980 overnight and has already benefitted some 946 people from Cotabato City, Maguindanao, Upi, Sultan Kudarat, and other nearby municipalities in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which were hit hard by the flooding caused by non-stop raining due to "Paeng."

Over 600 people are yet to receive loads, as of this posting.