Ana Patricia Non shares artist concept behind community pantry

Ana Patricia Non is a fine arts graduate and on The Howie Severino Podcast, she share a unique perspective with which to view the community pantry.

"Ang community pantry from a perspective ng artist — kasi fine arts ako — 'pag may nilabas kang art work, sa gallery man 'yan or sa street, kapag na-install mo na siya, wala ka ng identity diyan," Non explained.

"Para sa mga tao na ‘yan. May mga artist na ma-ego, pero ako po personally, mas gusto ko yung mga artist na let go na, distansya ka na," she added.

Non said this concept was her initial plan for the community pantry. "Na sa community na 'yan, kung ano reaction ng mga tao, [kung] ano tingin nila, opinion na nila 'yan. Wala na akong control diyan.

"Kung mag-spark siya na tingin ng mga tao anti-government, or tingin nila na-e-expose yung kakulangan ng gobyerno, wala akong kontrol," Non continued.

Non said she really had only goal, which is to help. "'Di natin made-deny madaming pumipila, madaming nangangailangan. Tayo magre-reflect nun, hindi lang po ako talaga, pinaabuya ko na sa tao," she said.

When asked for her comment about President Rodrigo Duterte's statement that community pantries might cause a spread of COVID-19, Non acknowledged the concern as valid and said they have been strictly implementing the health protocols.

"Kami rin po praning din po kaming mga organizers and yung mga donors. Para dun sa mga pumipila, lagi po namin sila inaabutan ng mask, paulit-ulit po yung paalala and hanggang ngayon po nakikiusap pa din po ako sa mga tao," she said.

Non said the issue of people's need for food has to be solved, adding that the community should be helping each other without sacrificing health.

"Dapat natutulungan natin yung mga tao na nawalan ng trabaho. Tama sinabi ni President pero hindi ako naga-agree dun sa 'wag pumila yung mga tao, dahil kailangan po talaga nila ng pagkain," she said.

"The fact na hindi nakukuha ng mga tao yung basic need nila ,baka may problemang kailangan i-address. Baka kailangan nating pakinggan yung mga tao," she added.

Non put up the Maginhawa Community Pantry started in April and has since paved the way for more community pantries to open nationwide. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News