As the saying goes – true love never ends, true love never fails.
Even a pandemic could not stop a genuine heart from loving and caring; even distance would not hinder the longing you have for your loved ones – because distance never separates a heart that really cares.
This was what the Angeles City Government under the administration of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. emulated as it extended its helping hand to Lolo Lito to finally be reunited with his family – a loving head of the family who longs for his kin, especially his ill wife, who is currently stranded in Balagtas, Bulacan province due to the community quarantine.
“Sa abot po ng ating makakaya, ipaprayoridad natin ang kapakanan ng bawat pamilyang Angeleño. Ayaw po natin na may mga pamilyang nawawalay sa bawat isa lalo na ngayon na kinakaharap natin ang pandemyang COVID-19. Alam po natin na ang pamilya ang una nating pagkukunan ng lakas,” Mayor Lazatin said.
Angelito Calingo Gino-Gino, 71, a resident of Barangay Salapungan, Angeles City, is known by “Lolo Lito” or “Lolo Pops” to his avid customers for selling lollipop candies, polvoron, and pastillas around the city despite his age.
Recently, Lazatin sent Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel with the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO) personnel, and Gender and Development (GAD) Officer Mina Cabiles and staff, to quickly accompany Lolo Lito in fetching his family from Bulacan.
“It was one of the greatest family reunions we have witnessed. A reunion sealed with hugs and kisses. You could see the genuine happiness in their eyes as they were finally wrapped in each other’s arms,” Manuel states.
Upon the arrival of Lolo Lito’s family in the city, the ACDRRMO personnel immediately took them at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC) to be tested for COVID-19 rapid-test, and they were confirmed negative, Lazatin says.
Manuel also said they were given financial assistance to help their small business during this trying time.
Lazatin said the city government also ensured that the health of Lolo Lito and his ill wife, Pacita Dela Cruz Gino-Gino, and other family members who went home in the city are all in good condition.
They were also taken home by ACDRRMO personnel and GAD staff , Lazatin added.
The Facebook fan page of Lolo Lito expressed its gratitude to the city government for assisting his family.
Angeleños also sent their thank you messages to the city government, and personally raised their funds to help Lolo Lito’s family amid the health crisis we are facing.
“Salamat po sa buhay ninyo na patuloy ang pagtulong kahit na mahirap ang sitwasyon ngayon. Pag palain po kayo ng Diyos,” Fatima Quiambao Judalena wrote in the comment section of Lolo Lito’s Facebook fan page.
The admin of the Facebook fan page also wrote “THANK YOU MAYOR AT SA LAHAT HO NG TUMULONG PARA MAGKASAMA HO SI NANAY PACITA AT LOLO LITO.”
“Family always comes first, and not even a pandemic could put a stop to that,” Lazatin stressed.