Jennifer Lea Tan Uy (陳真妮) initially wanted to source Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for her CKS high school class of 1995 batchmates working in the frontline, but supplies were scarce.

As alternative, Daisy Yu Velasco, the batch treasurer, recommended to offer hot meals for medical frontliners using the commissary of her restaurant, Scorched Smokehouse, which was still open for take-out and delivery.

The batch agreed to the proposal, and utilized the services of Grab drivers to pick-up and deliver to the hospitals.

An initial delivery of 300 meals was distributed to Manila Medical Center, Chinese General Hospital, and UST Hospital, where batchmates were working.

Another set of 300 meals were later delivered to other hospitals, imcluding Philippine Orthopedic Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Metropolitan Medical Center, St. Jude Hospital, and Sta. Teresita Hospital.

The batch also turned over 100 pieces of N95 masks to their frontliners batchmates.

This is the Bayanihan spirit of CKS high school batch '95, made possible with the support of its officers Brian Francis Uy, Robert Pangilinan, Bernette Romualdez, Daisy Yu Velasco, Richard So, Lizbeth Chan, and other batchmates.

Joshua S. Ramirez (米樹牙) of CKS high school batch 2017 may just be a sophomore university student, but this was not a deterrent for him to contribute in our common battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Joshua used up the accumulated monthly allowances received as a basketball player of the De La Salle University Green Archers to buy food items, which he distributed to his town folks in San Isidro, Tarlac. He thought of doing this initiative because with his own eyes, he saw how daily subsistence was already a problem for his neighbors even before the community quarantine, more so now that the said measure is enforced.

He recalled that when he was still a young boy, his parents would go around the neighborhood to borrow money just to be able to buy rice and feed them children. So now that the family is better off, he wants to share his blessings. With his parents agreeing to his plans, more than 150 families in his locality were given food bags containing rice, canned goods, and noodles.

Joshua decided to share his story with the hope of inspiring his fellow CKSians to do the same. He believes that the importance lies not on how big or small one shares to the needy, but more on the willingness to do so.

He added: "Sa mga ganitong panahon, kailangan talagang magkapit-bisig para sabay sabay tayong makaahon sa krisis na ating kinahaharap. Matuto rin po sana tayong ibahagi sa ating kapwa ang mga biyayang ating natatanggap at huwag maging makasarili."

Well said, Joshua. Keep up the good work and we look forward to seeing you again on the UAAP hardcourt soon!

Ria Joy J. Nabalan (王麗安) of CKS high school batch 2013 is known as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines' only 80-0 athlete, meaning she has never tasted defeat and owns an 80-game winning streak as a basketball player in the UAAP.

She enlisted in the Philippine Navy after graduating from the National University and now she is in the frontline of yet another battle, that of maintaining peace and order for the community during this time of enhanced community quarantine.

Everyday, Ria Joy reports to duty as an enlisted military personnel and follows the directives from her superiors.

A prolific member of the CKS girls basketball team during her high school days, Ria Joy credits her grit, courage, and confidence to face all forms of adversity from CKS College, since the Chinese culture and learning environment of the school was much different from her provincial origin.

With the Philippines currently in a standstill, basketball takes a backstep from the mind of Ria. At the moment, she is hard at work in serving Filipinos by standing in the frontline of the fight vs COVID-19.

While the apprentice seaman is not at liberty to discuss details of her duties and assignments, she said she is nothing but proud to be among the best and bravest, giving their all for the Philippines.

And from then to now, she said she would want nothing more than fighting with and for her kababayans. "Ang pagiging parte ng Gilas Pilipinas women's national basketball team at Philippine Navy ay malaking responsibilidad. Nakaka-proud na pinagsisilbihan mo na dati yung bayan mo sa pamamagitan ng sports tapos ngayon, pinagsisilbihan mo na ito pati sa military service," she said.

Keep up the good work, ASN Ria Joy Nabalan 952410 Philippine Navy. The country needs you more than ever!

Our salute goes to two CKSian frontliners who have faithfully performed their sworn duties as medical personnel during these difficult times. As a result, both of them are currently undergoing quarantine as Persons Under Monitoring (PUM), having been exposed to patients who showed symptoms and were classified as Persons Under Investigation (PUI).

Dr. Rica C. Ching (莊少婷) of CKS high school batch 1996 is an OB-GYNE Medical Specialist II at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital since 2008. While it is still the national maternity hospital, Fabella Hospital is being converted into a COVID-19 healthcare facility. Despite being in hospital quarantine now, Dr. Ching still laments the reality that limited PPE and N95 masks are available to protect her fellow medical frontliners. She is also worried about the limited bed capacity of Fabella Memorial Hospital to isolate COVID patients, while still taking care of pregnant mothers and newborn babies. Doc Rica is required to be in quarantine until April 14 before she returns to active duty.

Another medical frontliner, Anthony James S. Cu, RN, BSN (洪汶澤) of high school batch 2010 is a critical care nurse at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, where he has worked since 2016.

Despite strictly following protocols such as strict hand washing and wearing appropriate personal protective equipments, and being supplied with ascorbic acid and meals during duty hours at St. Luke's, Anthony still got in contact with PUIs, resulting in being quarantined as a PUM until April 12. Notwithstanding, he isn't looking at the negative side of the situation. "I learned the value of resilience from my alma mater, CKS College. During these trying times, what we do today is what matters most. I am staying optimistic in life and definitely look forward to that moment when this disease is eradicated.", Anthony said.

We asked our two unsung heroes for any message they want to convey to their fellow CKSians.

Nurse Anthony quoted Daisaku Ikeda: “No matter how long the cold, bleak days of winter may continue, winter always turns to spring. This is the law of the universe and the law of life. As long as we hold on to hope, spring is sure to come.”

On the other hand, Doc Rica expressed her appreciation to her schoolmates for their moral and material support. "Thank you to my fellow CKSians. It overwhelms us to know that you, our friends, have not abandoned us, especially in this time of need. Please be safe, because if you are, then we are. Let us fight this together!"

Thank you for your acts of heroism and patriotism, Rica and Anthony! Your CKS College family is truly proud of you and we hope for your continued safety and good health.

Lawrence Phoa Belo, Ph.D. (潘偉雄) of CKS high school batch 1997 works as an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the De La Salle University - Manila and is co-owner of Yoshimeatsu, a Korean BBQ grill restaurant in Taft Avenue.

Sometime around March 9 prior to the community quarantine, Lawrence and Leonard Co (許超智), his business partner at Yoshimeatsu Taft, were already discussing the situation in the event a lockdown does happens. And when the national government enforced the quarantine, they decided to give help to those nearest in location to them, the medical personnel at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). They started providing hot meals for the PGH frontliners thru Project #YoshimeatsuCares on March 20. At first it was easy for the branch to do as they had plenty of stocks (raw materials, ingredients, sauces, rice, etc.) but as stocks got lower, the owners of other Yoshimeatsu branches pitched in and helped out to sustain our food drive.

Since then, they been also distributed hot meals to other local hospitals, barangays, and institutions. CKSian alumni Theresa Marie Ong, Jamarianne Calubad, Melody Lau-Ting, and others helped out in the undertaking, either in kind or in cash.

Lawrence attributes Chiang Kai Shek College for nurturing him to become a law-abiding citizen and for teaching him the value of giving back whenever he can.

"I have always practiced the principle that if you are in the position to help others, please do so and be glad as God may be answering someone’s prayers through you.", mentioned Lawrence.

For more information on their project, please visit https://gogetfunding.com/yoshimeatsu-cares-yoshimeatsucares/

Thank you for your selfless deeds, Dr Lawrence Belo. Your CKS College family is proud of you!

Dr. Beverly Lorraine C. Ho held the press conference on April 3, 2020 (Friday), on behalf of the Department of Health in her capacity as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Health Francisco T. Duque III.

Needless to say, Dr. Ho has been playing a very, very vital role in the country's battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, and is working day and night, almost 24/7.

Doc Beverly is a proud CKSian, coming from high school batch 2001. Even as a young student then, she has shown exemplary leadership, leading to her election as chairman of the High School Student Council.

Doc Beverly was supposed to be speaker during the CKS Junior High School academic track orientation program last March, until the enforcement of the community quarantine forced the schools to suspend classes. Nevertheless, she is now at the forefront of a more important calling, not only for her alma mater but for our beloved country, the Philippines.

We wish Doc Beverly the best of health and may God be with her always as she gives her all for the Filipino people. Mabuhay!

Link of DOH presscon: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDOHgov/videos/1128064460871984/