MANILA (UCAN): Father Flavie Villanueva of the Society of the Divine Word and a parish in Kalookan, Metro Manila, have opened a grilled and roasted meat outlet in the capital called Psalm Pablo Manok at Liempo (a play on words: Psalm (for san or saint) Paul chicken and grilled pork belly).
It opened for business on April 28 in an area where many of the extrajudicial killings from the drug war of Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, have taken place over the last several years and provides jobs to those left behind by murdered victims.
International human rights group, Amnesty International, helped get the venture going by providing capital.
The aim is to have one family per outlet. How many outlets there will be will depend on funds raised to get them open.
“Paghilom … seeks to help those who have been widowed and orphaned. Many have lost their breadwinners and have no source of income,” Father Villanueva explained.
The family running the flagship outlet was required to undergo management training provided by a local entrepreneur who also supplied the meat.
‘Despite the fears Covid-19 brings, wounds are being healed, cries are being turned to smiles, communities are being fed, and broken lives are being rebuilt’
“They were apprehensive as this will be the first time they have run a business,” Father Villanueva said. Families running future outlets will undergo similar training.
“With the onslaught of the deadly (Covid-19) coronavirus, these families are more vulnerable and in dire need … They need this to survive,” Father Villanueva said.
“As they rise from being victims by earning a living for their family and loved ones through this endeavour, they too might like to offer and provide the community with a sumptuous and reasonable meal during this time of hunger,” he said.
One person sounded an optimistic note about the venture on social media, writing: “Despite the fears Covid-19 brings, wounds are being healed, cries are being turned to smiles, communities are being fed, and broken lives are being rebuilt.”
Talking about the family placed in charge of the first outlet, he added: “Today, they arise from the ashes of their grief. Today, they take charge of their lives as single parents, as renewed and empowered women, and as entrepreneurs.”
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
The number of drug war related killings dipped when the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic emerged last year but rights groups say they have recorded 186 killings during the first quarter this year, a 44 per cent rise over the same period in 2020.
