The Fud Papa: A Story of Resilience, Innovation and Healing as one amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

We have all been caught off guard by the COVID-19 Pandemic. As most countries around the globe started implementing lockdowns to help prevent the spread of the virus, a lot of businesses are forced to stop operations as we are mandated to stay at home. A lot of us lost our source of income as many sectors have been affected.

Like many of us, Mr. Marvin John Hernan and his family are greatly affected by the crisis that we are in.

When asked about his job, here’s what Mr. Hernan would say:

“I am a nurse by profession, a mechanic by passion and now a delivery boy by choice.”

A Nurse by Profession, a Mechanic by Choice

Born and raised in Baguio City, Mr. Hernan worked as a nurse for nine years. By the time he decided to resign, life gave him the chance to pursue his passion.

According to him, he’s really into cars and motorcycles. “So by the time na magreresign na ako, nag-message yung kumpare ko na shop owner na tulungan siya sa shop. So I took the opportunity.”

(By the time I was about to resign, a friend who is a shop owner messaged me, asking for help with his shop. So I took the opportunity.)

How did he become a delivery boy?

According to Mr. Hernan, due to a prediction that the city might be placed under quarantine, his brother-in-law and their cousin decided to put up Mangan Tayon, an online restaurant.

Previously, his brother-in-law owns a small restaurant near Saint Louis University which was forced to close as the Luzonwide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) has been put in place.

Here’s where Mr. Hernan started as a delivery boy. As his passion for cars and motorcycles stirred his love for traveling around places with his ride, he decided to volunteer as Mangan Tayon’s delivery boy.

The Eureka Moment of Fud Papa

One day, when he arrived home, his kids called him “Food Papa.” From there, he thought of creating a separate Facebook account for this. He started doing deliveries just on his own and as he gained more clients, he started looking for people to join him.

Now, the team consists of three riders, one dispatcher, and a van.

The Fud Papa Team

As the Fud Papa team was formed, so was their Official Facebook Page.

Just as the Fud Papa’s Official Facebook Page was created, Mr. Hernan said, “Surprisingly, with the support of our local friends na resto owners. Tumulong narin po sila sa business as delivery partners.”

(Surprisingly, with the support of our local friends who are restaurant owners. They started helping the business as delivery partners.)

Mr. Hernan shared how blessed they were to have very good friends. He was overwhelmed that even without asking, they were the ones who reached out to help.

The Team Members

1. The other two riders

If you pass by Session Road a lot of times, you might be familiar with the statue mime who leaves smiles on the faces of people who watches him. Since his primary source of income comes from events and tourists, he is very much affected by the pandemic and the ECQ.

According to Mr. Hernan, it was very timely. When he created the delivery service’s Facebook Page, Noel, the statue mime, messaged him. So he made an offer if he would like to join the team which he accepted without any hesitation.

On the other hand, a local businessman, who according to Mr. Hernan, owns business establishments that are also affected by the crisis.

“During the time na nagdedeliver ako alone, lagi nya ako binibisita at gusto nya din daw mag delivery boy. Di ko ineexpect na gagawin nya rin un but eto na.”

(During the time I do the delivery alone, he would always visit me and tell me that he also likes to be a delivery boy. I did not expect that he will also do it, but here we are.)

2. The van owner

The team was also joined by a van owner, who according to Mr. Hernan, is very supportive. “Sya mismo ung nagsusulat ng fud papa sa glass windows nya and contact number ko.”

(He writes Fud Papa on his van’s glass windows, including my contact number)

2. The Dispatcher

The team’s dispatcher is a relative of Mr. Hernan who manages transient houses. As tourism has been greatly affected by the crisis we’re in, he offered his relative to be the team’s dispatcher – to be their command center.

We Heal As One

On having local businesses as delivery partners and the Fud Papa team, Mr. Hernan said that this may be our best experience during this COVID-19 crisis. “Wala naman na pwede magtulungan kundi tayo tayo din lang.”

“This is not about survival of the fittest. But how we survive and heal as one. Magtulungan po tayo. Kasi hindi natin kaya maging mag-isa ngayon. Support your friends and their businesses, kasi baka yun lang din ang meron sila.” 

(This is not about survival of the fittest but how we survive and heal as one. Let’s help each other because we can’t do this alone. Support your friends and their businesses because it might be the only thing that they have.)

When asked what other things he learned so far from this crisis, he said that it’s a very humbling experience. You have to leave your comfort zone just to earn from your family – for the kids. And you can’t stay idle because no one else can help you but yourself.

And of course, one of the lessons learned that most of us would agree with. As Mr. Hernan said, “Health is wealth. If one family member is sick, everyone else is affected.”

As we continue this fight against COVID-19, remember that whatever happens, you are not alone. As citizens under one flag, let us support one another and carry each other’s burden in order to truly we heal as one.