By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
He might be “The Beast” on the hardwood but Calvin Abueva has a soft spot for the people around him and his community.
After reopening his restaurant, Dampa ni The Beast, Abueva made sure to provide the the jeepney and tricycle drivers around the community with free and nutritious packed meals to help them amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Abueva and his wife, Sam, said that if these people will just rely on canned goods and noodle packs, the much-needed vitamins and minerals won’t be present that will help their bodies defend against the virus, so Abueva makes sure his food will be packed with freshness.
“Para ito dun sa mga bibigyan naming ng mga relief, para makakain naman sila ng mga fresh, hindi lang puro noodles and canned goods. Target talaga naming mga trike and jeep drivers eh, ‘yung mga arawan lang ‘yung kita kasi mas kailangan nila lalo ngayon na tigil lahat ng transpo,” Sam said.
Abueva and Sam are hands-on with their operation, roaming the street markets of Divisoria for their ingredients, preparing the meals and cooking them.
“Pinagsasabay-sabay namin hanggang kaya naming mag-asawa tumulong, tutulong kami. Pero ngayon ang hirap talaga isipin ‘yung mga less fortunate sa panahon ngayon. We are blessed na kahit papaano nakakakain ng masarap and may maayos na shelter,” Sam added.
