In the past few months, we’ve seen the spirit of civic unity and cooperation among Filipinos still very much alive. As the lockdown has eased up, and the workforce throughout the country are now expected to steer the economy back to its new normal, we all need to be prepared. Very timely that a milk brand recently embraced this same “bayanihan” spirit as they distributed kits to the medical frontliners, aiming to help them in a little way so that they can continue doing what they need to do—defending public health.
Early one morning, the Birch Tree team set out to give what they call “Lakas Depensa Bags” to the medical staff of East Avenue Medical Center and the Philippine General Hospital. Each bag contains basic everyday necessities for the nurses, doctors, laboratory technicians, etc. but the most important one is the pack of Birch Tree Adult boost, the newest milk formulation with immunity support nutrient Vitamin C, Zinc and Iron.
Birch Tree Adult boost spokesperson Ray Guinoo, Marketing Director, says they chose to give out the lakas depensa kit to the medical frontliners because they are the everyday heroes working hard to protect our communities and keep us all healthy and safe during these difficult times.
“We thought of them first because the ones who need the first defense really are our frontliners. We started to roll-out in a few hospitals that are highly exposed to COVID Patients, and therefore most of the medical staff are exhausted, so they need to drink the milk which is inside the lakas depensa kits that can help boost their immune systems and continue to stay healthy, so that they can continue their important work in the community, keeping everyone healthy.”
According to one of the nursing staff in the PGH pediatric ward, “This is a very kind gesture, recognizing that we work long, tiring hours in difficult conditions, and our own immune systems are pushed to the max, someone is concerned with our health. And we are grateful for that”.
East Avenue Medical Center is one of the many hospitals treating a lot of COVID patients because as a government hospital, they need to attend to patients in need, even though they are already operating over their capacity. Most medical staff cover double shifts, so getting more than 4 hours of sleep is already a luxury. Lack of sleep lowers the body’s defense system and when immunity is low, plus exposure in a vulnerable environment, the probability of getting sick is high.
“This is a reminder that drinking milk, which is good, to nourish our body and that defending our immunity should become a habit. We almost always have little time to eat as well. So, milk is a good in-between meals”, said one consultant who just finished his round when he was handed the lakas depensa kit.
Although the smiles were not visible with their facemasks on, most of the medical staff wrote down their “thank you” notes and asked to be photographed so that their gratitude can be expressed to the Birch Tree team who exerted the effort to prepare the kits themselves. As one laboratory hospital technician quipped, surprised to have received his own #lakasdepensa kit, “Ay naalala talaga nila kami” (they really remembered us).
When help has dwindled and we are left to look after ourselves, it is really inspiring to discover that somehow, someone wants to look after us.
Adding to that inspiration, the brand’s newest brand song, “Handa Ka Na”, clearly sends the message to be prepared to set out to the new normal. Because life, despite the threat, will continue. So, when you are physically ready to defend your health, you can continue to protect your family, livelihood and community.
