How BAVI’s Rolling Stores Reveal Heroes
BAVI’s bayanihan spirit — and the spirit of a true bayani — is stronger than ever as the company rolls out an extraordinary sales caravan throughout the country.
Through Chooks-to-Go‘s Rolling Stores, BAVI employees — regardless of rank, department, and location — have been coordinating with local officials and braving the outdoors to help feed the public. They aim to reach consumers who find it difficult to buy food because of lockdowns.
Challenges abound, but our teams consider them part of any working day.
“We wake up early and travel to get our Rolling Store set up by 7:00 am,” said store specialist Raymund Redulfin of Pangasinan Business Center. “At 8:00 am, we’re ready to sell.”
“Gaining entry to some areas can also be challenging,” said trade marketing specialist Rodimer Lomoya of Cagayan de Oro Business Center. “Fortunately most of those we contacted immediately saw their constituents’ needs, and so permitted us to set up shop as soon as possible. You’ll see that leaders are truly concerned about their citizens, too. We are grateful to them.”
In carrying out the Rolling Stores, BAVI’s “support personnel” also help out Operations to augment the limited workforce.
In non-pandemic times, Cebu-based leadership partner Paulo Canua would be coaching management trainees on how to be effective leaders. But these are pandemic times.
“We are one organization and we have to pitch in support in the ways we can,” Canua said, recognizing that even those working from home for health reasons can have a priceless contribution.
He also observed that compassionate leadership works to mobilize teams in times of crisis.
“Our business center head, Alward Espina, is among those you can call a model leader, who sincerely looks after his people,” Canua said. “I feel more secure about going out to help, because I know my leaders look after my welfare.”
But for BAVI people, going out to work in these extraordinary times necessarily includes extraordinary measures.
“Aside from practicing all the strict measures of protecting yourself — masks, gloves, social distancing — you also have to practice extremely thorough precautions when coming home,” said business development assistant manager Chez Igon-Igon of Bacolod Business Center. “My kids prepare my bath and clothes at the garage, so I can already take a bath before entering the house.”
Of course, all the sacrifices which our people — our heroes — have been making in the past few weeks are etched in the mind and heart of BAVI president Ronald Mascariñas.
“In the last few days, I have seen for myself boundless faith, uncommon courage and sterling commitment in the men and women of our ranks who go out to the streets daily and beyond the call of duty, to sell chicken. …A great debt of gratitude is owed all of you. It will not only be remembered. It will be repaid many times over.”
Ronald Mascariñas, Facebook post
Bayanihan ng mga bayani. That most accurately describes what’s been happening. As expected, however, our heroes do not see themselves as such.
“The risks are undeniable; truly we have to be careful,” said Pangasinan’s Redulfin. “We’re just happy to be of help — especially to our customers — in this challenging time.”
To our colleagues on the frontline — maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong kabayanihan: kayo ay tunay na mga Manok ng Bayan!