SOME say “Gen Zers,” or the newest generation born after 1996 are self-centered, shallow and are far different from those who were their age in the generations that came before them, but not Samantha Dungca and her seven other friends from Mabalacat City.

As several groups leading donation drives for victims of Typhoon Ulysses, these young people were inspired to be part of this worthy endeavor. Recently, they traveled almost 12 hours to personally deliver relief goods to the victims who were greatly affected by the typhoon.

In cooperation with the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) through Deputy U7 or Unified Command Staff for Civil Military Operations, Major Eric Bulosan, they were able to reach many families in Isabela and Cagayan.

Beneficiaries are the chosen barangay of the Northside Baptist Church of Tuguegarao City (their partner in Cagayan) and the people of Barangay Camunatan in Ilagan, Isabela.

“As part of the youth who are expected to be the hope of our motherland, we wanted to be an inspiration to our fellow youths and be the part of the solution instead of relying on our gadgets and ranting all day. We want to show everyone our strong will to help those who are in need and that a beautiful friendship, like ours, can result into such a big thing. That there are still young people out there who are silently making a move to be a part of the solution,” Samantha said.

“Like, what I would always tell my friends, that we have lived and are still living our lives having the opportunity to have more than three meals a day and it is not a burden and a regret to at least share a meal for those who are less fortunate,” she added.

Samantha’s friends who volunteered for the repacking turnover of relief goods were Eve Reinelle Pineda, Mae Marie Cabalang, Kyla Dayrit, Kate Ashlee Salcedo, Art Joshua Dela Cruz, Gabriel Santos and Adriane John Agustin.

Their parents were very supportive of what they have accomplished, according to Samantha.

“All of them are delighted and grateful that we, their children, has the initiative to create something big and help a lot of people, even in the far places. It made them proud that we grew up well and has a heart for the less fortunate,” Samantha said.

Presently, the Youth of Mabalacat City are raising another donation drive for the province of Aurora. (Astrud Q. Aguinaldo)