IN THIS time of natural calamities and pandemic, former Candaba mayor Danilo Baylon urged his fellow Kapampangans to turn to God and set aside all forms of vices.

Baylon and his wife Apo Aniway, who have visited several flood-stricken towns in the province, are not only spreading the word of God but are also giving away food donations to thousands of solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens and indigent families affected by flooding and the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an exclusive interview with SunStar Pampanga on Friday, August 6, 2021, Baylon said despite the pandemic, he and his wife have not stopped helping those affected by Covid-19, especially the solo parents, PWDs and senior citizens.

Baylon said in this time of crisis, Kapampangans and Filipinos should set aside all forms of vices and instead turn to God for prayer and guidance in their everyday life.

“Napakahirap ng buhay natin ngayon dahil sa pandemia ng Covid-19, marami ang nagugutom at walang pinagkakakitaan. Ngayon ang panahon para mag dasal tayo sa ating Amang Diyos, dahil kahit ano man ang pagsubok na hinaharap natin sa buhay ang Diyos ay ang tanging solusyon sa ating mga problema. Hindi ang sugal, alak, sigarilyo, drugs at on-line sabong," he said.

“Marami na ang nalulogn sa masamang mga bisyong ito. Meron na rin nagpakamatay at mga nagnanakaw dahil sa kanilang masamang bisyo, na dapat sana ang kanilang kinikita ay pambili na nila ng kanilang pagkain o pang araw-araw na pangagailangan sa halip ay gagamitin pa nila sa masamang bisyo,” Baylon said.

Baylon, who is the chairman of Danway Food Processing Corp. before becoming the mayor of this municipality, recalled his younger days when he was working as a tricycle driver and security guard just to help his mother put food on the table. His father died at an early age due to illness. Baylon pursued his studies and became an engineer and ventured into the food processing business.

“Isa na kami siguro sa pinakamahirap na pamilya sa barangay naming sa Candaba, ngunit dahil sa pagsisiskap ko na makatapos at maka pag trabaho at sa huli ay nakapagnegosyo, ang Diyos ang siyang naging gabay ko at ang aking asawa upang marating naming ang estado naming sa buhay ngayon, kaya wala kaming sawang tumutulong dahil lahat ng aming yaman ay galing sa Diyos at ipinamamahagi lamang naming sa aming kapwa"’ Baylon said.

Meanwhile, Apo Aniway urged people in the government and business sector to help the people affected by this calamity and pandemic, saying that this is the time to show their concern and love for the people.

“Napakahirap ng isang mayaman na ipamigay ang kanyang pinaghirapan sa kapwa niya, ngunit dapat nating tandaan na ano man meron tayo ngayon, ito lahat ay bigay ng Diyos ating Ama at nararapat lamang na ipamahagi natin ito sa ating mga kapatid at kapwa na lubos na nangagailangan ng ating tulong,’ Apo Aniway said.

In July and August, the Baylon couple has already distributed thousands of food packs (chicken, eggs and rice) to solo parents, PWDs and senior citizens in the towns of Santo Tomas, Masantol, Minalin and Floridablanca. They will also be visiting the town of Guagua and the cities of Mabalacat and San Fernando next week.

For almost two decades, Danway Food Processing Corporation and Danway Missionaries have been helping poor communities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, especially in times of calamities and the pandemic. (Chris Navarro)