How Kindness Went Viral: Taal and Rolly Victims Swap Relief Goods

It took a box of relief supplies, from one survivor of a natural calamity to another, for kindness to go viral in a year when bad news seemed unending. Here's the story of how 2020 brought together Batangas and Bicol. 

Batangas province was still reeling from the aftermath of Taal Volcano's eruption when the COVID-19 pandemic altered life for everyone. Among those who sent relief supplies were residents of Albay, who know the hazards of the Mayon Volcano.

Towards the end of the year when Super Typhoon Rolly struck Bicol, Batangueños knew it was time to pay them back. 

“To Victims of Typhoon Rolly from the victims of Taal Volcano”, was written on boxes of relief goods delivered by Navara Nation Batangas Chapter. 

In a Facebook post, Task Force: Tabang sa Tugang's Psalm David Preña shared a photo of the package which stood out to their group. Social media agreed as the post went viral with 18k likes and 12k shares. 

"Noong Taal erruption, tumulong yung Bicol sa amin. So nung sobrang devastated nila ng Typhoon Rolly, parang naisip namin that was the best time to pay them back," said Evangeline de Leon.

This story originally appeared on Reportr.World. Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.