Date: March 20, 2020
Publication: https://news.abs-cbn.com/
Link: https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/05/22/20/emperador-and-the-afp-team-up-to-lead-a-massive-feeding-program-in-pasig

Representatives of Emperador and the AFP with Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto.

Amid the outbreak of the coronarivus here in the Philippines, bayanihan continues to inspire Filipinos to hope that help is just around the corner. One such company is Emperador, Inc., the world’s largest brandy company—which recently sponsored three mobile kitchens of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as part of the latter’s massive feeding program initiative. Through the partnership with Emperador and other donors, the AFP Mobile Kitchen was able to prepare 9,000 hot meals for poor families in Pasig, particularly in the areas of Caliwag and Villa Monique in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Sandoval, Rodrigo, Villa Aurora, Riverside, Floodway Westbank in Baranggay Maybunga, and various puroks from Barangay Manggahan.

"Who would have known that Emperador—the soldiers' brandy during happy hours—can also be a partner in our advocacy and in our bayanihan," says Major Lara.

“Our bayanihan spirit is what will bring us success during this times. Victory will be ours. We will celebrate again,” says Winston Co, president, Emperador, Inc. Abiding by the required safety measures and protocols, the distribution of meals was conducted from house to house with the health and security of everyone observed as top priority.

“The AFP is grateful to Emperador and all other sponsors, donors, and volunteers who answered our call for bayanihan and believed in our program Kapwa Ko, Sagot Ko. The AFP Mobile Kitchen has become a vessel of blessings to our kababayan in need. More than just the hot meals we gave, we believe that we were able to share hope, a taste of happiness, and faith in humanity,” says Major Louzel Lara PA, commander of Media and Civil Affairs Group of Civil Relations Service, AFP.

The program fed families for Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Baranggay Maybunga, and Barangay Manggahan in Pasig.

The Civil Relations Service of the AFP utilized the AFP Mobile Kitchen Bus to help those in dire need of support during this time. These include homeless, street dwellers, and informal settlers, one of the most vulnerable sectors of society. “Thank you to Emperador for the trust and support. Who would have known that Emperador—the soldiers' brandy during happy hours—can also be a partner in our advocacy and in our bayanihan,” Major Lara adds.