Ms. Cristina Aban, President of CORDNET, reflects on what Generosity looked like for her in 2020 amidst the pandemic  

Life is communal and one cannot be happy if others are suffering. Embedded in our network, the Cordillera Network of NGOs and POs (CORDNET), and among the many indigenous peoples’ groups of the Cordillera region is the culture of “Binnadang” (bayanihan).

Because we consider each other as “ib-a” (brother/sister), we practice generosity. Our local term for it is “Aditako bukodan di gawis”, that is, generosity as sharing of goods and goodness.

During the most challenging times of this pandemic, CORDNET members not only shared treasure, time, and talent, but also their tradition and culture of resiliency. We readily gave up our Social Amelioration Program and lived simple lives so that others may live! Our neighbors from Sadanga, Mt. Province and Gambang  Bakun, Benguet, among others, waived their relief goods and financial aid respectively because they know others  need more. Wants are endless but in times of disaster, we take care of each other’s needs.

At CODE-NGO, CORDNET experienced the Big Brother-Small Brother scheme when the management and staff kept sharing their linkages and finding ways to help our network financially. Our fellow member network, the Central Visayas Network of NGOs (CENVISNET), readily shared their resources on Wellbeing to help us take care of own members’ mental health needs. Regular online meetings especially of the different Regional CSO DRRM Coordination Hubs inspired us at CORDNET to keep going.

This pandemic is an opportune time for CORDNET members and all Cordillerans to make these treasured cultural values alive through volunteer efforts in partnership with local government units, with fellow civil society organizations, and with their families.

Read more about Cordillera’s Indigenous solution for COVID-19 here: