Hope on the Highway: How Cebu Locals Feed the Brave

This morning, I saw a video on TikTok that really touched my heart. It showed people in Cebu standing by the road, giving free cooked bananas—saba—to volunteers traveling north to help earthquake victims. As I watched, I couldn’t hold back my tears. It was such a pure and generous act. These locals didn’t have much, but they still chose to give.

The earthquake hit northern Cebu hard. It was a magnitude 6.9 and caused serious damage in places like Bogo City, San Remigio, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Sogod, Tabuelan, and Bantayan Island. Many homes, schools, and buildings were destroyed. More than 65 people died, and the province declared a state of calamity.

Despite all this pain, the spirit of bayanihan shined through. In the video posted by @kath_ann0, locals handed out warm saba bananas to volunteers driving by. No signs, no big announcements. Just quiet, sincere gratitude. One caption said, “We never go wrong with kindness and sharing whatever little blessings we have.” That line stayed with me. It reminded me that even small acts can mean a lot.

On a separate TikTok video posted by @jaypeeeroy, people were also giving free bibingka and ice candy to volunteers heading north.

Saba and bibingka are a common food in Cebu. They’re cheap, filling, and easy to cook. But in this moment, they became something more. They were a way to say thank you, to show love, and to send prayers to those helping others.

But what really touched me was finding out that some earthquake survivors were giving fresh mangoes to the volunteers. These were people who had lost their homes, who were sleeping in tents, and who were still waiting for help themselves. And yet, they still chose to give. They offered sweet, golden mangoes—picked from their own trees or gathered from what was left around them. It was their way of saying thank you. Their way of showing they still cared. Their way of giving back, even when they had almost nothing left.

Ang mga bisaya, buotan. Ang mga bisaya, matinabangnon gyud. Ang mga bisaya, makaapreciate gyud ug gamay ug dako nga tabang gikan sa ilubang tawo (Bisaya people are kind. Bisaya people are truly helpful. Bisaya people deeply appreciate both small and big acts of help from others.)

All over Cebu, people are helping in their own ways. Groups like Angat Buhay and Project Revive PH are giving hot meals and relief goods. Governor Pamela Baricuatro asked catering services and donors to help feed families and volunteers. But it’s the everyday people—the banana givers—who truly moved me.

So now, I ask everyone reading this: please pray for Cebu. Pray for the families who lost their homes. Pray for the children who are scared. Pray for the volunteers who are working day and night. And if you can, show some love. Share a meal. Send a donation. Post a message of support. Every little act counts. 

I believe that kindness doesn’t need to be big or expensive. That video showed me the best of what it means to be Filipino. Generous. Caring. Brave. And yes, I cried. Because in that simple act of giving bananas, I saw hope.

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